Harbor Freight Predator 4000 Generator mod part 2

[@Sanya3421]

*Fantastic little **Generater.Systems** ! I have a slide in camper on my truck and this ran for at least 14 hours on less than a gallon of fuel mainly running lights and water pump. With the small load it had no problem running in eco mode and was so quiet we had to listen close just to see if it was running.*

[@theotherguy3083]

I luv this little generator. Starts every time I start it

[@offgridinthepacificnorthwe3210]

If you increase the size of the Breaker you will run the risk of burning out a coil. You can rewire the generator for 12 volt o ly by combining the 2 coils into one. this will give you 26 amps at 120 volts. Or you can install a double pole double throw switch. one way will be 220 v the other will be 120 v There are videos on youtube of how to do this. I live off grid and modified my generator to be 120 volt only from both coils. This keeps the generator head balenced. IMHO : ) I charge my battery bank through a inverter charger. Non of my business I'm just trying to help.

[@EliteGeeks]

Makes me wonder if I changed them out for 100 amp breakers if I can power the entire block! lol j/k

[@douglenz6736]

How did you wire yours, I’m interested to do exactly the same thing you did.

[@Crestone-saju]

How did you wire the two coils? I have duromax xp4400 120/240 30amp L14 30 twist plug. Would I able to get 25amps 120v if I wire two coils in parallel or series??? Thank you

[@cesarsolabac6722]

@turboturkey200 how exactly is it done?

[@probeteam9936]

The GEN head is split in two in this unit. Each side produces 120v@13 amps as rated for a total of 26-29 amps. If you increase the size of the breaker that just changes the protection on each side. The RV connects to the 240v connector but only taps ONE SIDE

[@guillermoramos5047]

yes , you note , tap to one leg or one coil

[@YamahawgDawg]

If your unit has a voltage regulator, you consider testing that as well. When your unit senses a load increase, the auto throttle system should automatically increase power to compensate for the added load. If not, it will bog down, it won’t keep up with the demand, causing your breaker to pop. I’m not an electrical expert, but I’m just putting this out there for future consideration. Good luck.

[@stickyRice9]

I powered my house with this generator, great breaker idea! I noticed the 30 amp plug held better then the 120 plugs. They run great on Nat Gas and LPG too!

[@mjsmachine1285]

This generator is a 240v genset which means you get 13A of 240v. The 240 is split into two 120v legs but each can still only do 13A. In order to get more than 13A for a single 120v load you need a transformer which can turn the 13A of 240V into 26A of 120V. A 3kva 240/480 Pri to 120/240 Sec transformer would work well for this purpose.

[@davidlopanful]

I replaced the 2 13 amp breakers with 2 20 amp breakers, works fine. I drill out the leads and put in the screws instead of what you did. thanks

[@charlestatakis9363]

As others have commented, the 220 VAC plug is essentially two 110VAC lines, 60 hertz which are 180 out of phase relative to each other, much like the 220VAC in your house. You're popping one breaker so one of the 110 VAC legs is over 13 amps. If you continue to run the air conditioner, it's likely you'll fry one of the coils eventually if you're over 16 amps. If you have a clamp ammeter, I'd take a look just to see how bad or good it is. I agree with you that if it was my generator, I'd change out the breaker and be optimistic that it would endure, however, if you find out the AC is drawing 18 amps, I think you may want to reconsider, sell this one and upgrade to the $490 one which is 20 AMPS. Good luck, I hope the breaker switch worked and you were only drawing 13.4 amps to your AC.

[@davide4589]

Great instructions! Thanks brother. I met a guy last summer that converted this same generator to 20A, but I didn't know how he did it. Harbor freight has it on sale for 270 right now. Was afraid of the conversion but your vid is bad ass so thanks again, I'm buying it tomorrow. I highly doubt I'll screw this up due to my background and this vid, but if I do it's a less than $300 mistake. I can live with that.

[@theotherguy3083]

David E becareful that it doesn't start a fire.

[@bcoverss]

Larger Amp breakers don't help. Watts are the unit of power. Math doesn't lie. See below. At 240 volts you have 3120 watts available - that's the max for the generator. At 120 volts you have 3120 watts available. 240 x 13 = 3120 120 x 13 = 1560 multiplied x 2 for each leg = 3120 watts. No more power is available. Larger breakers only help burn up the power-head on the generator.

[@robbyota5598]

bcoverss , Is the equation Watts divided by voltage equals amperage?

[@XXxxcrisisxxXX]

yes

[@EGGINFOOLS]

So would that be 13 amps across both legs at 240v and 13 amps a piece for each 120v leg for a total of 26 amps running 120v?

[@workingcountry1776]

EGGINFOOLS yup.... boy I wish it was 26 amps for the 220 circuit...

[@VagueMemory]

@@workingcountry1776 It is.. The 220 is ran off combining each leg of the 120, meaning it totals 26 amps.

[@jamiboothe]

There is nothing wrong with your modification. If you only run through the twist lock plug, you will stay under the 26 amp limit. Thanks for the vid, it was well worth my time =)

[@stevesmith9221]

Idk some items like freezers need extra wattage at first. If generator can't supply the surge isn't good for compressor

[@Deucealive75]

You found the biggest flaw with that generator and corrected it. You probably could have got by with 2 15 amp breakers. You mentioned 40 amps. You won't get 40 amps out of it. In my opinion, for generators at this price range, if you do not need 240 volts get a 120 only generator that already has 2 20 amp breakers and 1 30 amp breaker. The 120 only in this configuration would run your camper without a problem. If you need 240 you should get nothing less than 5000 running watts. Then you would never have this issue. Good job on correcting that. Most people wouldn't go that far like you did.

[@theotherguy3083]

Deucealive75 thanks for other compliment. before I bought this unit, I thought about the 5000. however, that this is too big for my use. that is why I settled for this one.

[@PCFithian]

Thanks for posting this, I have the same welder and generator. Nice to know I can weld remotely with these tools.

[@scotthill9008]

Thanks for this video. I followed it and my Predator 4000-40 amp works great!

[@workingcountry1776]

I use this unit for work. If you can afford to go RVing you should be able to afford to get the next size up generator and sell this one. My 4k 3200 continuous watt generator is perfect for me running an air compressor, basement pumps or job site lighting. Just my 2 cents...

[@jeep146]

Very important to buy a generator that will be matched to your electrical load. You don't want to be undersized and having your generator working at 80 or 90 percent. You will be refilling the tank often and the life of the generator will be reduced.

[@rondetten9252]

That is a really small cord for what you are using it for, I think you need to upgrade to a larger extension before you ever worry about increasing your amps, and always remember that the breaker isn't the reason it is limited to a certain amperage, its the size of wire and connections.

[@theotherguy3083]

you are correct sir. I will be upgrading the cord soon.

[@fernandochavez834]

Geez I keep on banging the front panel. The same thing is happening with the button. Mostly it works for 5 min until it turn off my tools. First I'll remove and replace then I'll try the upgrade braker.

[@georei]

I use the same generator to power my pop up with a/c, and I never have a problem. Then again, my 100' cord is 8 gauge wire that hooks up to a 25' 10 gauge cord off my power converter. I only use it to power my a/c and tv at night.

[@trainwreck682]

Thanks again for the part number of the 20 amp breakers. I have ordered them from Amazon. Have you had any problems so far?? My gen is brand new with extended warranty. I'm gonna do this anyway because I cant use it like it is. I can't afford to buy another one to parallel or buy a bigger one.

[@MisterDivineAdVenture]

Okay, thanks - that's great - but you can't run 40 AMPS total on that generator. And I assume Off Grid is right. Anyway, the max is still the output of the generator - 26 Amps. Last, it will burn out a microwave to run it empty. We should put a container of water in there, okay?

[@billmcvoy3217]

I have the Harbor Freight 4000, I want to install the watt meter on the 240 side and can't find one. What meter are they using and how would I wire it (not technical) I prefer something that has case I can attached to the frame for low cost.

[@bobbylangham9980]

good job man, ignore the shade.

[@probeteam9936]

Check out the sportsman 4000 watt dual fuel generator equipped with an RV plug. You would be very happy with that. There are many others as well. You'll never draw that units full potential unless your able to wire the windings in series instead of what they are now... parallel ... thank you... excellent videos ... and God Bless you and your family ...

[@kw57rx8dr.9]

Is that as cheap as a Predator? Especially if you already OWN a Predator? Kind of a useless comment if not really?

[@joefrye2120]

How long did it last year after you change the breakers did you burn anything up I’m about to do mine have an exact same problem

[@theotherguy3083]

Still running

[@leslieking3974]

Wonder how long did it last? Hope a few seasons.

[@theotherguy3083]

It is still working. Nothing wrong.

[@leslieking3974]

The Other Guy replaced the 13 amp w 20 amp this weekend. I was able to run the chop saw of 15 amp, no interruption. Yay!

[@theotherguy3083]

@@leslieking3974 thank you for letting me know. Some people speaks very lowly of me if you read some of the responses.

[@mikcar9423]

Hello Sr, I plan to buy this model! But I dont know if it will stand a small portable stick welder? Thanks for the help

[@theotherguy3083]

I don't think so

[@9etherbeing278]

Could I do this to my 3500 watt generator? I'm plugging in my window unit 10000 BTU to the 120v/15a wall outlet and when the compressor comes on it trips the breaker at the 240v20a breaker...is that supposed to happen?

[@theotherguy3083]

No. If you are talking about residential, no. You'll cause a house fire

[@d.m.soucie552]

I have the same problem what are the breaker part numbers... help please... with everything off it dont even run my ac

[@theotherguy3083]

Sse the comments

[@rickheska3333]

is your generator still working well and what btu is your ac unit

[@theotherguy3083]

Yes it is still running. But, gotta check it later.

[@rickheska3333]

are you running a ac unit with it and if so how many btu thanks

[@theotherguy3083]

@@rickheska3333 I am running AC with it. Yes. That is why I had to upgrade my breaker. As far as BTU, I am not at home right now. However. After the upgrade the amp draw no longer reset the breaker. I remember checking the wattage and my ac draws approx 3200 watt.

[@rickheska3333]

thank you

[@marckennedy6587]

You really shouldn't be running a microwave empty like that.

[@probeteam9936]

3beltwestie has some excellent videos on this subject. As an example if you overload the generator only one breaker will pop... and it will always be the same breaker. There are generators that are great for an RV. That particular generator unfortunately is not ideal... although I do love the brand

[@stevetruman2111]

Is the genetator still holding up?im running into same prob. Wile running camper ac kicking breaker

[@theotherguy3083]

steve truman still running like a top. Each camping trip I use 16 hours each time.

[@netoyanalaurahernandez1205]

Is your generator still running?

[@theotherguy3083]

@netoyanalaurahernandez1205 yes. Took it for a whole week camping this summer

[@publicEnima]

It's your wiring. 30amp.plug side is 240volts at 13 amps. Looks like you have a 10 ga..wire carrying 30amps converted to a 14 ga wire carry 13amps of course your breaker will trip. Not sure how your camper is wired. I have 240volta going to my inlet without any issues.

[@bratenn]

I have the exact same generator and have had the exact same problem. Can you tell me all of the final changes you made (breakers, wires, and anything else). Thanks!

[@theotherguy3083]

I changed the breakers to 20 amps each and it works fine now. I can run my AC and Microwave without tripping the breaker. However they can't run at the same time due to high amp draw.

[@Iaiashgamer]

How the generator still holding?

[@theotherguy3083]

@Iaiashgamer just came back from my camping trip. Start right up. Used air conditioning on my RV and it still work great.

[@Iaiashgamer]

@@theotherguy3083 I did the change today and it's been running good for 3 hours straight... thanks man.

[@theotherguy3083]

@@Iaiashgamer glad it helped

[@kentleyonmark141]

Just what I was looking for. I was wondering how to approach it

[@lisaacurero5268]

Im glad i came across your video i am actually having the same problem can you give me the part number please. Thanks in advance great vid

[@theotherguy3083]

If you read the comments you find it. Sorry people do not have respect with other people's work and so they speak down on me.

[@lisaacurero5268]

@@theotherguy3083 thanks.i will take another look. no one asked them for their negative comments... Don't pay any mind to them.

[@albertgarcia137]

Is your generator still going strong with your RV? I am having the same problem!

[@theotherguy3083]

Yes. No issue

[@quiles351]

Can u explain how 13+13= 28??????

[@theotherguy3083]

jaime quiles ok. Ok. Ok. I had a hard day. Sorry.

[@quiles351]

The Other Guy lol its all good im just joking good review by the way i am looking forward to buying this for my father that lives in Puerto Rico and still has no light since marias path though the island

[@theotherguy3083]

jaime quiles wow. I wish the people of Puerto Rico. My niece is married to a Puerto Rican. They have families there too.

[@quiles351]

The Other Guy thanx for the info

[@rickheska3333]

I replaced the 16 ga. wires from head to all of the outlets.iwas going to replace the 13amp breakers with 20amp but I tried it with the 13amp breakers and it will now run my ac on high. I used 12ga. wire to replace the 16ga.

[@theotherguy3083]

Glad that worked out for u

[@juanvela8394]

Why does it leave a puddle of on the ground please give some advice any body please

[@juanvela8394]

Type o oil

[@dustyduds3953]

As long as your adapter cord is paralleling the two 120v legs of the generator you should be OK. Your trailer AC unit is probably similar to mine. The AC requires 3000 watts to start up, but only 2000 watts to run. Your Microwave is probably 1000 watts startup/running. Your power converter is probably 500 watts. So as long as you use the microwave sparingly you should not burn up the generator. And also, hopefully, you have a combination water heater that can run on propane. The water heater takes 1400 watts startup/running for electricity which would be way too much load in the summer, but in the winter you would be OK (no AC running).

[@probeteam9936]

Your still only running on half of that generator...

[@theotherguy3083]

Probe Team99 do tell!!! :)

[@johnhershey4010]

Good job doing it

[@grampymeyer6603]

These Predator generators are a bargain...just for the record 3200 watts is 13 amps@ 240V, so IF you need to run 20 amps I recommend a 5000 watt generator...(for your next one).. I bet you are surging to 15 amps or so when the A/C starts..Your generator is actually rated for 16.6 amps "surge" so you actually should be OK...But I would have tried 15 amp breakers...

[@FOREMAN3301]

You have surge in the motor sir. You need to clean the jets in the Carb.

[@danielandrews8858]

I have my fingers crossed the gen-set smokes the first time he uses it while under load.

[@orlandosantiago1458]

Mine dosent throw out electicty

[@enriquelaroche5370]

Running the Microwave empty is not recommended.

[@cravinbob]

13 amp is too low for kitchen, must be 20 amp. Changing to a 20 amp breaker does not fix it but can cause a fire. 20 amp requires 12 ga wire. And they don't reset they trip.

[@theotherguy3083]

Ok. So I have been using this setup with great success. Thanks.

[@travisfogle1427]

He be is right I couldn't even run my tools for my work shop it sucks

[@workingcountry1776]

People please don't do this. Margins are built into equipment for a reason. Buy a stronger generator. I mean he can afford an RV surely he can afford the next size up generator.

[@jaynone9262]

Look like your microwave was empty. If it was that is not good for them. Yes it's your generator and you probably won't hurt it. If ya do buy another.

[@rodolfocervantes3207]

Buy the 4500 generator .

[@BushPilot444]

"If it breaks, it's only $299.00"..... You might feel different if the wiring catches on fire and burns up your camper. Defeating the safety features cannot be called an "Upgrade'...... You may get away with it but you are defeating the purpose of the breakers.

[@theotherguy3083]

BushPilot444 I thought about all that. . .That's why I have the warning.

[@enriquelaroche5370]

13 amp *240volts = 3120 watts the continuous rating is 3200. I don't care how you set it up. it's your generator. 20amps * 240 volts = 4800 watts. which is vastly more watts than your generator is rated for.

[@toolsonabudget7763]

The problem is if it burns u might cause a big fire

[@dr.handymanlifehackstolive8594]

Dude you aren't supposed to run your microwave empty either, that can burn it up. But thanks for the info I have the very same problem and it quite pisses me off as it makes this generator basically worthless if it can't even run a single roof A/C unit let alone be something we could use for a hurricane. You had one other suggestion here in the comments I'm going to look into for my correction and it may work better too since it seems to not need additional money spent merely a rewire.

[@theotherguy3083]

Dr. Handyman Lifehacks to live by been running mine for a year now with microwave to no detriment

[@dr.handymanlifehackstolive8594]

I'm not talking about using your microwave, I'm talking about running it empty without something in it to absorb the microwaves, I.E, liquid, food of some sort.

[@theotherguy3083]

Dr. Handyman Lifehacks to live by it was a test.

[@kw57rx8dr.9]

Ok whatever, that explains it then......... ???????

[@EliteGeeks]

Running a Microwave with no Load ( item inside ) is not good for the microwave, is what is being said. it is like a Radio with the wrong antenna size, the SWR is off the charts.

[@janetsers4895]

I smell something burning

[@theotherguy3083]

Did you hear the warning? LOL

[@computerjohn1973]

Upgrading the amperage, oh for heaven's sake. This is a huge WARNING on what not to do. Please just buy a bigger generator, it's cheaper than the hazzard this will cause. Replacing with better "same size breakers" would be fine, never increase due to them tripping. A breaker tripping is your warning, replace the breaker with the same size, still tripping you have another problem.

[@jack9335]

I have the exact same generator and I'm going to do the exactly the same thing because I have the same problem but what I'm going to do is rewire and wire past the breaker I'm so irritated with this thing I hope it burns to the ground and when it does I'm just going to throw it in the river or let it fall off the truck while I'm driving down the highway or sell it on letgo for a dollar

[@shyammohabir8283]

That is not a upgrade... It is a fire hazard!

[@treatmenice1564]

clean the air filter

[@guillermoramos5047]

looking at the jumper cord it looks like you tap off a 30a 120v cord , your using one leg, lol, or one coil, a generator with a 30a plug may be more efficiency in gas,

[@enriquelaroche5370]

Buy a 1000 watt microwave. save your generator and bringing one of those Noisy generators camping is not pleasant for anyone around you. Look at the inverter generators much quieter.

[@texaswarden]

Thank you!!!!!

[@theotherguy3083]

Michael Cook hope it helps!!!

[@theotherguy3083]

If you find it helpful please like and subscribe!!!

[@brandonsimmon2007]

13 and 13 you get uhhhh 28 amps lol

[@danbrooks8241]

Yup saw that too

[@bkaye2942]

Obviously you have violated the laws of electrical logic! Others have commented adequately on this below. For safety reasons it would not be wise for anyone to copy what you have done!

[@topherwayne4398]

13 +13=26

[@bluelipbeaver]

I was wondering about that math too. I am having the same effing problem. Now I don't know what to do. I'm pissed that I went out and spent good money for this generator and it won't keep my 15000 btu a/c unit running. Keeps tripping the breaker. I can't afford to just go buy a bigger one.

[@MrDeadInMyPocket]

Thumbs up.

[@had1223]

What a lousy mindset. "If it breaks, I'll just buy another one" "it's from HF anyway" do as you will I guess.