Predator 9500 generator unbox, first fire, and 20 hour update

[@toyotatundra0455]

I have no power in my shed and I've been trying to figure out the EG needed to run a welder. Thanks for the video. I'll keep watching.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I should have the video out within 6 days. There are a lot of things that are important when picking a generator to run a welder on (or a welder to put on a generator you own). The video will explain all of it really well so you don’t waste money 😀

[@tyesai]

Lol, "That's awesome like someone was thinking." I love it!

[@rommelgamboa3328]

Great video and thank you for the info on the magnetic drain plug. I just ordered it so I can use it on my initial oil fill, I just bought the 9500 yesterday but it's for emergency use only.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

It’s definitely worth getting the magnet. I wish the engine had even a small oil filter but until you get into commercial generators none of them have them. So far the generator has worked great, and I use it a couple hours every week without issue 😀👍.

[@slowb4lls1]

lol funny timing I see this video on my feed. I just took my little tig and stick welder up to my new little shop I got setup in my new 10x30 storage unit, I think I went like halfway thru a 6013 rod and tripped the breaker at my building 😂 and 72 amps. So I slid my trailer down to the outside the next building so I cud finish and almost finished tacking the loose spot welds on the tailegate at 57amps and blew their breaker also 😂. Looks like ima need a generator to run my stuff there. I do like the predator motors so far, I gots one of their new “hemi” go cart engines on my reel mower I got last summer and the motor was shit so I hemi swapped it, now the thing plays zero games. But predator killing it still no issues

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I have a video on generators and welders out this week. I have been running on a generator for over a year and like the flexability. I work out of a 12 or 14x35 storage unit. I have been trying to find an old brick building to buy and literally nothing is for sale within a hour of where I am. Running on 120 sucks, the breaker in my storage unit will only handle about 15amps load lol. Believe it or not on a dedicated 20a 120 circuit the esab 200 I have will weld at 120a.

[@joserollyvazquez3549]

Very good video where did you get that magnetic dipstick?

[@Cptnbond]

Hi Greg. I'm looking forward to your verdict on your generator and its capability to handle both stick and MIG welding. There is a bit of marketing and confusion about specifications regarding W and VA, where the latter is higher and more often promoted. Cheers.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

The most confusing thing of it all is how welders pull more power than they are rated for so it’s very easy to think you’re in the clear when you’re not. It will definitely be interesting, especially when I max out things and see what happens lol.

[@cuz129]

I have that generator. Why you need a nut driver just to add oil and hook up the battery. That's just nuts.

[@mikenelson4271]

Thanks for the great video. I sure hope that magnet NEVER vibrates off the end of that dipstick. Kaboom!!! Just not sure how that magnet is secured.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

It seems to be epoxied and a tight fit, it should be good. You’re right though, if it came loose it would be a problem 😅.

[@dustinriordan7051]

Hi Greg. Great tip on the magnetic drain plug. Did you find a magnetic plug? If so, what's the size/thread pitch for that?

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I still haven’t picked up the magnetic drain plug, the dipstick seems to work well. After a bunch of searching I found this one that says it will work www.amazon.com/VOTEX-Stainless-Neodymium-Magnetic-Generator/dp/B0BQCNC4B5/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1C0BSRHIL2M3E&keywords=predator+9500+magnetic+drain+plug&qid=1700614632&sprefix=predator+9500+magn%2Caps%2C268&sr=8-3 I have changed the oil 3 times on the generator and the magnetic dipstick has less and less metal particulate (to be expected on a new motor). The magnet is a must have, since there is no oil filter the magnet is the only thing that will help keep metal particles from wearing parts of the engine.

[@dustinriordan7051]

@@makingmistakeswithgreg thanks for the reply!

[@AvocaSingleTrack]

Where's your video on running welders off generators? How far could I push my 250A Tig machine on that generator?

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Here is a video that will provide valuable info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHSXeoSIjKydbZosi=904pFVuCB7RB4B0x . To answer your question, the most amount you would probably get out of that welder on the same generator is about 240 amps DC (if you hold a tight arc) and probably the same or a bit less on AC. That’s if the welder in question has power factor correction. If it doesn’t you would likely see around 160-180amps before the breaker trips. Tig operates at a very low voltage (compared to stick) so you can get a lot of output amperage in comparison to stick and mig.

[@cuz129]

I didn't find it to be all that quiet. Kinda loud.

[@SrStew]

Full time off grid and we burnt through 5 gennys over the past 4 years. My predator 3800 inverter is the best so far, then champion went 1200 hours, the firman costco is junk and I returned 3 of them, but thier yamaha a-ipower 2200w is amazing. I would buy a predator again, I only wish it had a remote. I was looking this gen for welding and saw your welding w a gen vid also. Interestingly the 7200w costco ai power has a parallel cable so I wonder what it would output with the parallel setup? Probably not 14kw at 240v update- well it looks like thier parallel cable is 12000w and 240v @ 50 amp but thier 7200w genny isn't a yamaha engine like their 2200w :(

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

The latest predator 5000 here has a remote start, my guess is they will offer it on the rest of them at some point. One thing I found interesting is duramax brand generators seems to make identical generators to harbor freight (they have seemingly the same generator as the predator in this video) but all of theirs have remote start. I also know you can retrofit the predator with remote start, but it’s expensive.

[@summerforever6736]

Looks like a nice machine but no oil filter ? Maybe thats a thing with generators im not an expert on them

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Believe it or not until you get into bigger generators and engine drive welders they don’t have oil filters. That is why they specify oil changes so often. The only hope a person has for longevity is frequent oil changes and a magnet drain plug. With both of those things you can get thousands of hours of use without much of a issue.

[@summerforever6736]

interesting i did not know that. Thanks@@makingmistakeswithgreg

[@JackMcCoy331]

Always turn off and disconnect devices prior to shut off

[@jerodbroussard2832]

What size welder do you use with this generator?

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

The welder you can run is completely based on the efficiency of the welder and its power factor. In simple terms you can run anywhere from a 100amp transformer stick welder to a 220amp inverter tig welder. I will have a video out soon on running welders on generators and it should explain everything far better.

[@jerodbroussard2832]

OK, thanks. I've done the math with the amps and what not but end up at a dead-end every time. :) @@makingmistakeswithgreg

[@GalloPazzesco]

Hi Greg ... outstanding video. From where did you find the magnetic dip stick and, by chance, have you ever found a magnetic drain plug? Subscribed, bell rung, commented, upvoted, liked, shared .... may the algorithm gods smile favorably upon your channel.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Thanks for the kind words 😀. The magnetic dipstick is the one in the link at the bottom. It has worked great. So far the machine is holding up great, I have been running welders on it for a long time without issue. I never bought a magnetic drain plug but after 3 or 4 oil changes the dipstick is a lot cleaner. I think just a dipstick will be fine. It should have had it from the factory. This is the one I bought: www.amazon.com/GenExhaust-Predator-8750-9000-Generator/dp/B08CVLP2JY/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=2M54JKV88ENMS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4U6j-QFa1ooQTg1u5DtjB4Ttmbk2e1eaG7aFh_ANSKZtf6OMcYqgNgTUNB9cb99YUag5pDC1TsE6ruD_oGCIYrK987WGhOpzdhGiKvlaQ9ohUR0IgI38JRB690tPivIhBkOSNJ0zWet-ohqPuRIgNw.Kimnp8cCWUG9KmYTL3qDBtomc_wUaOViUXkcK_t1bOg&dib_tag=se&keywords=harbor+freight+generator+dipstick&qid=1705110190&sprefix=harbor+freight+generator+dipstick%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-5

[@GalloPazzesco]

@@makingmistakeswithgreg thank you Greg ... just put the dip stick in my shopping cart. Again, much appreciated.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Yeah it’s 100% worth it. It has to extend the life of the generator. Since it has no filtration and metal floating in the oil is surely going to wear something.

[@jimfields9491]

When this comes out as a dual fuel I’ll get one.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I bet they will soon. Hopefully it will have a remote start as well.

[@abrammatthew756]

Why the heck don’t they have propane for these things? I’m new to all this but it’s frustrating as hell because I don’t want to deal with gas. And I need 240 to run my well. Why the heck don’t they have quiet inverters with 240 that can run on propane? I can’t find one

[@bruced1429]

Looks like it will be a decent gernerator.. I wonder why only 9500 watts? Would 12000 watts be better. I have been thinking of 12000 watts, so when the power goes as it often does I could at least run my well pump and also use it to weld. We don't have Harbour Freight in Canada, we can get Honda,Yamaha, and my favourite Champion Generators. Currently have a small honda and a 2500 watt Champion which will run both freezers and the fridge. I need min 6500 watts to run either of my Fronius welders , need min 10,000 watts to run my HTP. Therefore 12,000 watts is what I will get. We get forest fires every year here in western Canada and when they get to you the power goes out so no water and there goes your home. 12,000 watts and a well I have some sort of chance, as well I can weld to my hearts content.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I will be going in depth as to why 9500 watts and not bigger. We also have champion generators here, they seem to be real solid. Ideally I would have purchased a 12k generator for more overhead but finding that in the specifications I need will be hard. It will all make sense shortly 😀

[@JaasenJones]

I use my 9500 for my house. I can run the entire house just fine, only thing the I need to be selective about is running any 240v appliance one at a time. Runs my well pump, oven, dryer, and water heater just fine.

[@bruced1429]

@@JaasenJonesdo you have an automatic shut off for the power coming in from the power pole and return when the outside power comes back on? I really need to run my water pump first then fridge / freezers after that i can get by. We have power off in the summer and thern in winter due to snow on trees causing them to fall on the power lines. Sometimes the pwer is off for 3 days. I have considered a generatic generator running off my natural gas, but the cost is very high , like 12,000 dollars.

[@JaasenJones]

@@bruced1429 I use a generator interlock switch in the breaker box and just wheel my generator out of the garage if I need it. The interlock is a nice effective way of never accidentally back feeding power into the generator or back feeding power from the generator back into the grid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pILSloGlbd6WgKssi=s3-DHb90VXg2n8bK

[@slowb4lls1]

Yea that wud suck. I Recently slapped a welding 50amp breaker circuit for the welder in my garage at home, and a 30p one for a extra washer and dryer I got in the garage for work clothes, loving both of those circuits now. But kinda like you I have a 10x30 storage unit I’m rocking 120 on and have a little shop setup up there also and I’m known to trip a breaker or two. The manager showed me where the reset is so it’s not a huge deal, but cudnt you just run your generator outsid the unit on 220? Lastly, since ya gonna need to hold onto those new nice hoods man. Checkout KZbin videos showcasing the Vulcan arc safe vs Lincoln 3350, you should grab one of the Vulcan arc safe, the older one tho, it’s a clone of the 3350 and I bet you wud be impressed you can add it to your reviews, but it’s not in line with the other harbor freight helmets trust me; it’s pretty high end for a hood

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I will be testing the Vulcan when I can get ahold of one 😀. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up 🧐

[@cuz129]

Its a 6.8 gallon tank.

[@Noneofyourbiz71]

I’ll be worried about the engine overheating with all that insulation that close to the engine!

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I kind of thought that too, but I ran it for 8hours straight yesterday when it was 100 out and it had no issues. It actually moves a lot of air through the case. The insulation is unfortunately what’s required to make it quieter.

[@Noneofyourbiz71]

@@makingmistakeswithgreg good to ear buddy! What magnetic dip stick do you recommend for the generator?

[@cuz129]

Is a good back up genny. But no way you can run it 24 7 as an off grid genny. It's not tough enough for that.

[@smgri]

Can you tell me where you got that dipstick ?

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Hopefully this link works but this should be it: www.amazon.com/GenExhaust-Predator-8750-9000-Generator/dp/B08CVLP2JY/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?crid=1KV8B05BOZPQ2&keywords=predator+generator+dipstick&qid=1698437918&sprefix=predator+generator+dipstick%2Caps%2C255&sr=8-15

[@HEHE-dx9og]

I have one that runs with no power output. it has 2000 hours on it. Come to find out the inverter module died. Found a new one for $499.00. I bought the extended warranty and found out I`m 30 days out. So I either spend $499.00 or junk it. give me the old style with brushes and voltage regulator anytime. cheap and easy to fix.

[@dregenius]

But the inverters are *so* much more efficient that it wouldn't take many days of running to make up the $499 in fuel!

[@ammogiant824]

Im hearing these units are having engine problems. Not good.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I haven’t seen any real issues with the few I know of that friends have (or mine). The starter switch goes bad requiring pull starting (mine went bad, haven’t fixed it) but for the most part I really wouldn’t worry about it. There are many better generators out there but at 2-3x the cost. Considering the machine does output clean power, has a lot of output power, is quiet, and a majority of people are happy (myself included) I would buy one again. The biggest issue going to alternatives in the 9500 watt class is many gas inverter generators are the same parts, engines, and just different aesthetics.

[@BOB12349307]

funny how they give you almost everything you need to make a suicide cable

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Haha pretty much. They were smart enough to not include a premade one lol.