Carrying gasoline for generator

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Dino soar, Sep 28, 2021.

  1. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Does that remote start kit work the Eco button also? Their website is not very good and they have almost no information except to list that you can buy it.

    What you're saying is true about Harbor Freight and the warranty. And I agree with that because it's enclosed it will handle the weather much better.

    The 4250 with the remote start is very tempting to buy. So last night I called Walmart and I was trying to figure out what happens if I have a warranty claim and they weren't quite exactly sure whether it would go back to the store or the manufacturer would have someone else to take it and it's a shame because the generator has a 3-year warranty from the factory. It's rated to run 22 hours on one tank of fuel and it comes with the remote start and it's significantly less money than the predator.

    But when it's 10 degrees out and you need heat it would be nice to find your closest Harbor Freight and just exchange it that's my real concern also.

    The 4250 champion also is not as simple to put an exhaust extension on it. It doesn't have a short pipe that you can slide the flex pipe over like the Predator does. It has a flat piece that you have to put two bolts in and have a flange that has an extension on it and then you can extend that. Now you can buy that extension for the 2500 or 3500 but I have seen nothing listed anywhere that you can buy that for the 4250. I couldn't tell you if it's the same or different it looks the same but who knows it's a larger engine it could be different. Now there is a way to go to Home Depot and buy a floor mount that a 1 inch pipe screws into so you can take that and re-drill it and cut it down and use that as your extension...

    I already ordered the flex pipe and the clamps and all of that and I think it's just going to cost a little more money but I think the convenience of being able to take it into any store in my travels is very helpful. So I am going to make a decision literally within the next couple of days.

    And to make the decision a little bit harder by the time the predator has a warranty and has a remote start with a little more money I could just about by two of the champion and just keep one for a spare.

    Decisions decisions...
     
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  3. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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  4. flood

    flood Road Train Member

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    Decisions.... Decisions
     
  5. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Well the predator is at least 850 + 150 for the warranty gives you $1,000. If you don't buy the warranty you only have 90 days.

    That kit is 129 so if we just round it up to 150 your at 1150.

    The champion 4250 is only 650.

    So roughly $1,150 for one or $1,300 for two.

    The Predator is quieter and it will last longer in the elements but it has a shorter run time and you have to install the remote kit.

    The champion comes with the auto start, has an incredibly long run time but it's more work to make the exhaust extension.

    The Predator has a more convenient warranty because no matter where you are you can take it right into the store and they'll give you another one.

    But I think the warranty on the Predator is only two years whereas the champion is 3 years from the manufacturer, and you can buy an aftermarket warranty also.

    Decisions decisions...
     
  6. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    Ah, i dont trust warranties, never had one that ever helped me, figure if it breaks, its cheap enough to buy another anyway
     
  7. cabwrecker

    cabwrecker The clutch wrecker

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    Tangentially, apple care is amazing. I straight up had my MacBook destroyed earlier this year when this horrible ##### on a flight slammed her bag into my carry on several times.
    Apple replaced both cases, the screen and some sockets.
    I don’t think there was any out of pocket.

    also. Lemee get settled in at this bar and I’ll shoot you a picture for a guy that makes dot gas tanks with frame mounts
     
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  8. cabwrecker

    cabwrecker The clutch wrecker

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    Okay, so check this guy out. He can make any size tank you need, with a frame side mount included.



    I’m planning on getting a 25 gallon tank, because I just want to be able to bobtail to the gas station once a week. Screw this jerry can bs.
     

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  9. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    What are you trying to run? I can run my microwave OR ac OR heater and heated blanket and a small battery charger with my 1800 watt generator on 1 gallon of gas a night (10 hours). I Cary a 2 gallon can and fill it up every 2 or 3 days.


    Literally can run a 34 and fill the generator 3x and top off my gas can once. I can’t just lay in my truck for 34 hours strait anyway.

    fortunately I only do a couple 34 a year? But I run it for 10 hours every single night for 2 years strait. Weather I need it or not. It’s just part of my post and pre trip to set it up and fill up my 2 gallon can if it’s empty. Takes less than 10 minutes total,
     
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  10. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Well I'd probably be running about the same as you. Either heater or air conditioner unit or a microwave or coffee pot.

    But I really don't want to get in and out of the truck to start the unit and I want something with a longer run time whether I have an extended tank or it's just a unit that runs longer.

    So for example in the summertime I have a big fan in my truck and if the weather is nice the fan is enough. But if I want to turn the air conditioner on I just want to hit the remote start and enjoy it. Same way with the heater. If I fall asleep and all the sudden I wake up and it's cold I want to hit the button and run my heater. I don't want to get out and start it. If I just want to make a cup of coffee I just want to push the button and run it for a couple of minutes and use the coffee maker and shut it off.

    By the same token I don't want to fall asleep in the summertime and wake up in a sweat because my generator ran out of fuel.

    Often I have time before I get loaded that the generator would be running, then it will run while I'm getting loaded, then I often have time until I have to leave with the load, and then it would run again while being unloaded so I definitely need more than 10 hours, because I would have to refuel to even get 10 hours which again I often need more than that.

    It just works out that way for me
     
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  11. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    Well for anybody that cares or has anything to add I've been doing some comparing.

    I have come to find that the champion 4250 the exhaust comes out the side. For me this is no good because the exhaust will come out toward the trailer and you'll have to make a Bend and I don't want to do any of that. The Predator is good because the exhaust come straight out the back end and it's easy just to run it upward.

    However the Predator 3500 has one issue that I found. If I set it on the catwalk, on one side of the generator is the pull cord and on the other side is where you check the oil and add the oil and change the oil. If the oil side is closer to the cab I don't see how you can get to that. If the pull cord side is closer to the cab, then if your remote starter or electric starter stops working for some reason I don't know that there's enough room to really be able to pull it.

    Now Champion also makes a 4650 and a 4500 that seem identical except for color they both have a remote start and they both have the exhaust exiting directly from behind the unit. They are closed inverter generators and they are quiet and they have a 14 hour run time, longer than the predator at 11 hours.

    For those that have the Predator 3500, how is that working out for you that the Pull cord is on one side and the oil change is on the other side?
     
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