Generator Repair - Runs but NO Power - Harbor Freight Tailgator

My Harbor Freight Tailgator generator stopped producing power last time I was off grid. In this video we go through the most likely things that could be causing the problem and we find another problem along the journey. Thanks for watching and good luck!
Here's the part I used in the video: www.amazon.com...
Business contact: [e-mail]

[@Ankiul1]

Holy crap I just bought one of these yesterday for 15 bucks at a yard sale no idea if it works but I am going to work on it this evening after church. Thank you so much for this help.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Wow that's a smoking deal, good luck!

[@redbloodedamerican3204]

Small engines=small/low cost repairs! You got a great bang for your buck!!!

[@GrandsonofKong]

Good Fix!! The original breaker post to me is too long and easy to smack, which may have been what happened to yours. Either way back working, and you have a back-up in case something happens again. On your gas, I though 2 Stroke Oil had an additive to keep it from going stale....but maybe not. Even with non-ethanol, you might want to look at adding something like Stabil to it. I use it and have had good luck. I try and run my generators for 15-30 minutes every three months under a load...unless I forget which is often! :-)

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

I think you're right, I probably hit the switch when I was traveling back and forth to the Rockies. I was glad to get a pair of the new switches in case this happens again during shtf. I also now have 3 good capacitors to make it through the coming collapse. Yeah I normally start my genny's up once a month or so but I got mad at this one and let it set too long. I'll try some of that Stabil in my 2 strokes next winter. It seems like 2 stroke goes bad faster than straight gas. I've seen it at the store but assumed it was a gimmick. Thanks Kong!

[@commonman7776]

a enjoyable video thumbs up

[@emery1129]

This video should be about 3 minutes. Too much BS. It was all guess work. You didn't even test the components. Just replace and hope for the best. Com'on man

[@butler386]

Great diagnosis and repair. Looks like a great little generator to me. Thanks for the videos.

[@frankroper3274]

I would have just gone to the local hardware store and bought a fuse holder. Put a 10 amp fuse in there and let her roll!

[@jasonbusch3624]

Sounded lean it needed the carburetor cleaned at the beginning. Gunk carburetor and parts cleaner in the metal one gallon metal can works excellent.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Yes, it was starving for fuel. Off camera I took the carb out and cleaned all of the ports with b-12. I think the main problem was my fuel was just barely flammable. I poured a little out and lit it on fire, it burned but the flame seemed weaker than usual. This thing usually starts up pretty easy so I knew something was off. Since I ran it for a couple of hours yesterday it seems to be working fine now.

[@jasonbusch3624]

@@TheHandsOnChannel are you using PRI-G(better and cheaper than Stabil 1/3 oz treats 5 gallons of regular ethanol premium fuel) with full synthetic 2 cycle oil? Any full synthetic 2 cycle oil is JASO rated and good. VP at Walmart is like $6.83 for the 16oz Squeeze measure bottle. It will make a chainsaw weed eater or your generator last 2 -3 times as long before it is wore out. Burns cleaner also.

[@redbloodedamerican3204]

@@jasonbusch3624 those VP gallon cans are amazing for bugout gas reserves too! I ran some VP in my Case IH 9000 generator that was over 3 years old and it worked perfectly! I did a half and half mix of fresh gas and the old VP as a footnote

[@christopherpatten9388]

Awesome buddy i have the same generator with the exact same problem it was extremely helpful thank you

[@jamesa4958]

Thank you

[@docdruskithetexican8846]

F the spam comments before me. This is a refreshing video.

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Yeah the leftist trolls spam my comments with porn links. I report them every time but gootube doesn't seem to care. It never happened until I made my first anticommunist video.

[@docdruskithetexican8846]

@@TheHandsOnChannel I’m sure. I’ve witnessed it. From across the webs, I’m on your side. Keep it going brother. I dig the intermediate diy vids. Might not be the most popular among the populous all the time. Refreshing nonetheless.

[@docdruskithetexican8846]

@@TheHandsOnChannel was there an update on the pond leak fix? How about the algae, fish, and water level? Hot and dry as hell in central and most of Texas.

[@redbloodedamerican3204]

@@TheHandsOnChannel that just means you’re telling the truth with facts! Get a backup channel! This constitutional sheriffs deputy loves your channel! I drop everything when I see that you’ve uploaded a new video.

[@joemelton81]

As cheap as the whole thing is I will be replacing the breaker with a good quality splice. My engine hasn't missed a lick. Run 100LL avgas and quality oil and you will never have a carburetor problem.

[@murraymadness4674]

My breaker seems broken, and I also could not find which one to replace it with. Your link has a 7amp breaker, but this generator is supposed to have a peak 900w, which is 7.5a, I got a 12amp, don't want it to cut off when starting up a motor. I ran a 5amp grinder no problem on it, but the 8amp saw just kept tripping it, but ran it fine unless it the blade bogged, but it kept getting worse. btw, before putting it away, turn off the fuel and let it run it out of fuel in the carb. That will prevent the jet from clogging when the fuel drys out leaving the sludge behind.

[@docdruskithetexican8846]

15:30 LMFAO!!!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@redbloodedamerican3204]

You’ve got me wanting one of those generators. Looks like a handy little dude. That’d be perfect for a bugout location. Spray it down with a light coat of wd40, put it in a sealed up garbage bag and a few cans of VP treated gas!

[@Dauthdart]

Hey there. My tailgator it's only making around 70 volts. So I tried bypassing the breaker but it didn't seem to fix anything. They usually throttle up when you plug something in to them, but my unit isn't doing that. Any ideas?

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

It could be the capacitor has gone bad.

[@milekh6681]

You could drill that hidden cap outta the carb and lean it out a tad. That gen runs too rich from factory

[@docdruskithetexican8846]

I’ve been thu that. Good stuff…

[@chickenpotpie6225]

Thank you SO MUCH. I'm not very mechanically inclined and I was having the same problem. I didn't want to have to buy a new one for my tiny house. It's been down for 2 years. Now I can get it and my husband's fixed by next week!

[@brianmatthews4149]

This same unit I had a hedge trimmer hooked up and cut the extension cord.didnt have power after that.

[@JerryBurns-e1y]

Thanks for video! Turns out my problem was the red wire going to breaker was pulled partially loose at plastic plug further away from breaker. Pushed back into plug, all is good. I was ready to replace capacitor. Check all connections closely

[@ericmauldin8217]

Do you have a link for the capacitor?

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

Link in the description.

[@jasonlackey612]

​@@TheHandsOnChannel I don't see a link for the capacitor in the description, just one for the breaker

[@brianmatthews4149]

To bad we dont have electronic stores like the old days to get parts.

[@frankroper3274]

If you have ever used Sta bil gas preserver it works great!

[@LennytheHeart]

I bought one new and when it turned off I fell asleep so it mustvee been with the engine on switch on for a few hours it's first use will this affect anything?

[@Dauthdart]

Nah ur good

[@tonydawson6150]

What is the part number for the rest breaker switch

[@ssmith517]

What’s the part that you used in this video?

[@alanv2527]

Thank you for knowledge

[@mimmyb1005]

Do you have the link for the capacitor?

[@nathanaelstarsick7995]

How many volt was that Capacitor

[@visioninprint]

Can’t find the link to Amazon for this part? Great video!!

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XD49JLM/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A1THAZDOWP300U&psc=1

[@nathanaelstarsick7995]

Was it 450V

[@StevenPeters-nh8kq]

Lookn 4 the link to order part thx

[@TheHandsOnChannel]

It's in the description.

[@mundosauceda6524]

Como se llama la pieza para pedir en amazon

[@mundosauceda6524]

Trae avr

[@petersack5074]

The angle grinder, is TOO MUCH of a start load, for 900 watt generator. Use a drill, to check it. Anything, greater than 8 amps/120 volts (960 watts) is TOO MUCH OF A STARTING LOAD. Induction loads, require up to 3 or 4 times, running amps of them. Or, use a resistive load, like an incandescent bulb. Your '' trouble '' light, for example. They use the cheapest, plastic breakers available to manufacturers of gens. I may install a house type breaker, in my i power 12000 watt gen....

[@joemelton81]

You don't know what you are talking about. Runs die grinders fine. Electric chainsaw is no problem either. It bogs down a bit with the big drill press. You should try it before you make a smart ass comment.

[@joemelton81]

Oh look the smart guy has a big generator! Probably has a giant pickup too. Compensating for something?

[@petersack5074]

@@joemelton81 ? okay, rant all you want. DO you know anything, ............other than an ' opinion ? "" AND no, i don't have a pickup, of any sort. Just a 96 Chrysler Intrepid, with 305,000 miles on it. Don't use no oil, tranny really good. Replaced starter, water pump, and alternator, so far. Brakes all around, done by myself. TAKE CARE of your modern, computerized plastic crap.....oh, MAKE a good day, for yourself, and someone else...

[@SouthParkCycle]

I believe you probably meant 1200 watt... You understand the math though. Maybe the guy with penises on his mind has math issues. But ohms law you have down I believe.