Harbor Freight Generators - Any Good ?

[properchopper]

It's time to make a decision - my 60lb. deep cycle battery needs replacing. I haven't had great luck with them + I have to haul the darn heavy-a^* thing upstairs to re-charge (no power downstairs). Harbor has a deal for $89.99 on this :

http://www.harborfreight.com/900-wat...tor-60338.html

Only 38 lbs - costs about the same as a deep cycle. Question - Anyone use this with decent results ?

[Yes, I know the Honda & Yamerhammer ones are way better & quiter but vastly past my budget range]

[Basstronics]

Budman has one and I do also.

Works perfect for using a charger and a power supply.

[photohoward1]

I used mine for a total of 1 hour and then tossed it in the Dumpster. You get what you paid for. Loud Too!

[properchopper]

I used mine for a total of 1 hour and then tossed it in the Dumpster. You get what you paid for. Loud Too!

H, what caused you to dump it ? ( I know it's loud)

[Johnnysplits]

A co-worker has one that's three years old and works great.

[TOFTS]

If funds are tight get a new battery you could at least jump you car if needed. The honda's is an inverter clean power. Costly yes not worth it for R C boating but can do so much more in a power outage. After 10 years use you could recover 50% of the cost selling it. HF would have to pay someone to take it after 3 if it was still working http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH_4rY1CbNA

[Chilli]

But with a generator you can crank up the blender after the racing is over..... Unless you have one of these..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-eUN5T2CBQ

[bozo586]

tony---- this generator isn't as loud as you think! i have used this same model for three years now. well worth the money.

[properchopper]

If funds are tight get a new battery you could at least jump you car if needed. The honda's is an inverter clean power. Costly yes not worth it for R C boating but can do so much more in a power outage. After 10 years use you could recover 50% of the cost selling it. HF would have to pay someone to take it after 3 if it was still working http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH_4rY1CbNA

"....If funds are tight get a new battery you could at least jump you car if needed"

Yes funds are tight. No possibility of spending that much on a gen
A Honda costs roughly eight times the HF unit.
I need to carry a car battery/deep cycle a long ways then up a long flight of stairs to charge it. Mine weighs 60 lbs. Stated that in my post.
I can jump my car's battery with any of my lipos or my current deep cycle
I have roadside assistance from my car insurance company if all else fails

"Costly yes not worth it for R C boating"

Point ?

"but can do so much more in a power outage. "

Like what ? I don't need the inverter feature. Have plenty of 120VAC to12VDC power supplies on hand

"After 10 years use you could recover 50% of the cost selling it."

I'm ten days shy of my 69th birthday. In ten years (if I'm still around, which I doubt) I'll be 79 and I couldn't pull the damn cord to start it so WTF

"HF would have to pay someone to take it after 3 (sic) if it was still working "

from above posts
"Johnnysplits:

" A co-worker has one that's three years old and works great. "



Bozo586:

"i have used this same model for three years now. well worth the money.


Basstronics "Budman has one and I do also.
Works perfect for using a charger and a power supply."

Since my post asked THIS QUESTION : "Only 38 lbs - costs about the same as a deep cycle. Question - Anyone use this with decent results ?"


Thank you Sir Budman, Johnnysplits, and Bozo586 for your experience/input in ANSWERING MY QUESTION

Thanks for your thoughts, TOFTS

Tony

[properchopper]

But with a generator you can crank up the blender after the racing is over..... Unless you have one of these..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-eUN5T2CBQ

I have a friend who made one of these. Now we call him "Lefty"

[TOFTS]

"....If funds are tight get a new battery you could at least jump you car if needed"

Yes funds are tight. No possibility of spending that much on a gen
A Honda costs roughly eight times the HF unit.
I need to carry a car battery a long ways then up a long flight of stairs to charge it. Mine weighs 60 lbs
I can jump my car's battery with any of my lipos or my current deep cycle
I have roadside assistance from my car insurance company if all else fails

"Costly yes not worth it for R C boating"

Point ?

"but can do so much more in a power outage. "

Like what ? I don't need the inverter feature. Have plenty of 120VAC to12VDC power supplies on hand

"After 10 years use you could recover 50% of the cost selling it."

I'm ten days shy of my 69th birthday. In ten years (if I'm still around, which I doubt) I'll be 79 and I couldn't pull the damn cord to start it so WTF

"HF would have to pay someone to take it after 3 (sic) if it was still working "

from an above post
"Johnnysplits:

" A co-worker has one that's three years old and works great. "



Bozo586:

"i have used this same model for three years now. well worth the money.



Thanks for your thoughts, TOFTS

Tony

WOW, Your welcome

[Chilli]

I have a friend who made one of these. Now we call him "Lefty"

But I bet he makes one heck of a Margarita..

I purchased a cheapo Duramax generator from Amazon a few years ago. The reviews were good and shipping was free so I figured what the heck. I'll take a chance (Kind of like buying from Hobby King). LOL Bottom line is it's served me well for three years now. If it craps out, I'll probably pick up a Honda. But I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. The motors on the cheapo Gens are not the best quality so change oil frequently and check the oil level often.

[properchopper]

But I bet he makes one heck of a Margarita..

I purchased a cheapo Duramax generator from Amazon a few years ago. The reviews were good and shipping was free so I figured what the heck. I'll take a chance (Kind of like buying from Hobby King). LOL Bottom line is it's served me well for three years now. If it craps out, I'll probably pick up a Honda. But I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. The motors on the cheapo Gens are not the best quality so change oil frequently and check the oil level often.

Mike,

The HF gen is a 2-stroke. HF also offers an "extended warrantee" for not much $$. This is just for me & Stephen to play around with. The club has access to two biggies that take two people to unload, plus two other nice [Honda eu2000] and a bigger premium one for race days. PLUS Jan (UBHauled just told me he has an unused HF 800. ). Good stuff.

BTW no more Margaritas for me. Longtime Friend of Bill W.

[SirBudman32]

Tony, the Generator you asked about Is not loud. I do have one that me and Bass use. With using a HobbyKing 540w 100~120v Power Supply (13.8v~18v - 30amp) and a Turnigy Mega 200Wx2 Battery charger/discharger (400w) V2 and charging on both ports of the charger, the Generator never comes off idle. Its pretty good on gas to, used it all last year and only filled the tank once and the beginning of the season.

[Rocstar]

I have one also Tony, used it a few times now with my power supply. So far so good...for what it's worth.