PowerSmart Cheap Generator versus Harbor Freight Predator Generator which is better?

[@catfold1]

Power Smart should use your video on their website for reference to thier production Thanks for this videos very informative. Because of this video i was convinced to buy this generator.

[@naturestarot6789]

Thank you so much! Great review! I wasn’t sure of purchasing until I saw this

[@HH-zg8zm]

I bought a older 3200 never ran in box never had oil in it ran for 2 days blew a a cooling fan and a rocker plate dry rit😂 ordered parts from my lawn company in stock matches to that h company for some reason. Benn running it 24 7 11:05 3 weeks now on test running 1. 5000 but 1 6000 but ac 1 old fridge microwave coffee no issues 24 hrs a day ime 👍

[@jesmasco]

Looks good, the price slightly higher now $399.99, still a good price for an inverter generator I believe.

[@patalexander1965]

For keeping our attention and providing a good bit of information; you did swell! Your voice is awesome for teaching and keeping our attention! 👍

[@Shortcuts2185]

I was able to order this on Walmart fir 298 yesterday what a deal

[@chrisb8870]

I did too. I bought the extra 4 yr warranty for a little more also.

[@Shortcuts2185]

What a deal. Started 1 pull. I talked 2 other friends into getting it as well. It is a little louder due to the open frame but so much easier to work on.

[@azayreyes4917]

Just bought mine too, can't wait to use it!

[@anthonyk1234]

Love the video, always giving informative, entertaining and money saving videos. Keep ‘em coming and thank you.

[@WalterBarger-io9ck]

🤓I have a suggestion for any person that owns a new 4 strokes engines like generators lawnmower anything like that . Pickup magnetic plug and Use 👉👉 A good quality break in oil you use first to properly break in the motor properly first 👈 then once the break in procedures is done👈 then you can put top quality brand of motor oil that you unit call for. They also sell magnetic oil fill plug and drain plugs to take out fine metal particles you should use First on breaking in also it will pick up find metal particles from the machine works leftover from assembly and breaking in procedure metal leftover particles also for proper braking also prolong life of the engine.😎 I have done this procedure from day one since I owned any 4-stroke engines the break-in procedure is so important to do so your engines last much longer with proper break-in and the unit's I have done with break in oil and with magnetic plug I have got twice the lifespan out of them 4-stroke engines with no issues

[@jaysmith9062]

Great video. Thanks for the information. Definitely gave me something to think about when we’re going to make a generator purchase.

[@bwselectronic]

A metal tank will take more abuse, but the plastic won't rust either. Always have trade-offs.

[@chrisb8870]

So Ive had this just 2 months now and it seems ok when running but last 2 times it sputtered when I had microwave plugged in. I dont think its overloading at all but wondering if it does it when its low on gas. The strange part is is stopped when I unplugged microwave/load. Ive only used it a few times for short periods from my work van for heating up some food since I bought it. Anyone have similar issue or have suggestions?

[@fowlman7254]

Would be nice to have an economy switch to bring down the rpm just a touch more.. great product nevertheless..awesome value

[@Greenmachine305]

H on the dipstick is the level it should read when the oil is HOT.

[@marusholilac]

Today is January 25, 2024. A different model is being offered at $298, the MB5040B as opposed to your similar PS5040.. No idea what the letters might signify. Differences I have spotted: Rather than two USB ports, there is a single 12V cigarette/cigar/powerport outlet. (That hole is called a cigarette lighter socket by humans and used to be called a cigar lighter socket by auto makers. Later they cleaned up their act by calling it a powerport. Very precious.) No idea if it is regulated. The rating on yours is 3500W vs 3600W (30A x 120V=3600W) on the new model. The push-in TT-30R receptacle, which I prefer, has been replaced with the twist-lock LF-30R receptacle. I'm sure there are other changes. Thank you for measuring the device. The manufacturer does not publish the size, only the size of the carton (duh). So, instead of being 17.7" wide I'll assume your figure of 14" wide is correct. Mine is on order and this makes a difference to me as I am considering using a Harbor Freight dolly (with some sort of provision for a brake), rather than trying to adapt a wheel set. Finally, if you are looking at the reviews on Amazon, be warned that AMAZON IS DECEPTIVE. They have thrown in a bunch of reviews of 1200W generators which carry the same brand name but might be made in a different workshop in a different province, and just serve to muddle the ratings. Amazon does this throughout their site so that everything seems to rank 4*. I ordered direct from PowerSmartUSA, which, unlike WalMart and Amazon, doesn't charge sales tax. Oh, yes, don't bother searching for a discount coupon. None work. FOLLOW-UP: I did receive my new unit without drama. There were no surprises. It fits nicely on a Harbor Freight 24x16 solid wood dolly. I intended to install some U-bolt hold-downs, but hven't done it since it doesn't seem to walk away. I did my own tests and then mothballed it. I do not intend to run appliances with it. I have a good sized lithium battery bank but an undersized solar array. I would use the generator to recharge the batteries, which I think is the most efficient use. I could also run a cord to a neighbor's house if they needed some power to, say, keep their sump pump alive. Final thought: A deep freeze, like my 21 cu ft upright, uses very, very little power, so something of this size is overkill. Mine uses 1.4kWh/day and 135W when running. It also has "sabbath mode" which defeats the defrost cycle, thus reducing the power need further. Fridges are more power-hungry. My 21 cu ft Samsung uses 2.4kWh/day. I don't know what the draw is during defrost and nobody else does either. . . .

[@ModernDIYProjects]

Good info. BTW I agree about the deceptiveness of Harbor Freight. I point that out often in my HF review videos, but the HF Fan boys get angry with me and call me a hater. Try to help folks and that's what you get. Go figure.

[@youcanthide004]

The newer model also has CO detect an auto shut off.

[@WalterBarger-io9ck]

Remember not all generators won't power up your house do your homework and find how many watts you need to power up a full house for example a 6000 WATT generator and it will not power UP hole house not unless you shut off certain things😊

[@ModernDIYProjects]

True. I didn't mean to say that this little guy will power up an entire house. I meant that is will power many devices within your house. But it will power up something smaller like an RV or maybe a tiny home.

[@Shortcuts2185]

Depends on your setup. My old unit 3000 watts gen powered my whole house. All my lights are led, refrigerator, small freezer and my gas furnace and air handler which is most important in the winter.

[@matthewroot3939]

I have that exact drill. Has to be over 30yrs old.😂

[@littlemanoo]

It’s also 224cc vs 212

[@petesbeats483]

Can you convert these to propane?

[@ModernDIYProjects]

You probably can if you have a little know how. I think most gas motors can be converted with the right equipment.

[@bwselectronic]

Starts easy. Must have compression release

[@ModernDIYProjects]

Most likely. Thank goodness because I hate when they don't. That's not something ever mentioned on any literature either.

[@WalterBarger-io9ck]

😎Usually compression release is on engine that have very high compression engines and the only way you'll be able to start it would be to push the compression release valve to release the compression😎 in the cylinder 😎you continue on doing this compression release valve until it starts😎 and you can tell if there's a compression release on it because they will be a button to push down on the top of cylinder head have to push it down to release the compression as you're trying to start it😎 once it starts up the valve will close.😎 On two stroke engines that have higher CC engines they also have a compression release valve on the top of the cylinder head also just push it down before you start it you continue that procedure until it starts up and runs😎 once it's running decompression valve will close😎 continue doing this procedure until it starts😎 because if not you wouldn't be able to pull the motor over at all to start the engine😎🇱🇷

[@ModernDIYProjects]

True, but most 4 stroke engines don't have a compression release button. What they have is a compression release built into the cam where it just bumps the valves at start up to make it easier to start. Then it stops working after the engine is running because it is controlled by centrifugal force. That is all internal and automatic so there is nothing the user needs to do. This one probably has that built in.

[@WalterBarger-io9ck]

@@ModernDIYProjects that's new to me and I've been working on small engines and automotive engine race engines for a very long time that's the first time I've heard anything like that you have any literature on that

[@ModernDIYProjects]

There are tons of videos dealing with problems on that compression release issue. Check out videos from Tarel fixes all, Chikanic, James Condon, etc. Lot's of folks that work on small engines talk about that. James Condon a couple of months ago had to fix a generator that the cam bump on the compression release was staying open all the time preventing any compression build up. It appeared as a bad motor but it was actually not building compression because of that. So just do a search here on YT and you'll get tons of results. Here's one video that talks about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6bdhplvitCjerM

[@WalterBarger-io9ck]

Have you looked into Wen portable generators 6000 Watts for a couple pennies more

[@ModernDIYProjects]

Not yet, but I will. This will probably not be my last generator review.

[@c0pyimitati0n]

Harbor Freight Predator is _push button start_ which is way better than a pull start

[@ModernDIYProjects]

Not ALL of them are push button. Only the more expensive ones. Besides push button can go bad and not work in an emergency. Pull start always works (99.999% of the times).

[@youcanthide004]

that’s true, but the harbor freight is $700 unless you’re using it daily. I don’t think that really matters or at least it doesn’t to me.