Community Forums

rideandslide · 02-07-2014, 04:59 AM

Looking at a great deal on a Harbor Frt. generator 4000w ( yes i know HF isn't top of the quality hill, but have alway been happy,just have to realize what your getting ) it does not have a 30 amp 115v plug, it has 2 115v 20amp and a 220v 30 amp. Any recomendations on how or if you can get 30amp 115v out of it ?
At home it's hooked up to a 115v 20amp plug and it will run the lights and air but no more.
Another non related plus, with the 220 30amp i can run my welder of it .

Thanks Jim

al2ride · 02-07-2014, 06:22 AM

You must be looking at the Predator at HF. Not bad for 340 bucks. You already know that you pay for what you get. It's rated for 3200w continuous use which is ~30A. I'm guessing you are wanting to run your AC with it. Just remember that you will be running the generator at full throttle. You have to consider that it will be loud as all get out, and not knowing the quality of the generator could be an issue for prolonged times at full throttle.

We have a Briggs & Stratton 5000w generator that we have used for years. Last year we lost our power grid due to high winds and hooked it up to our TT to keep everyone cool. Well, sort of. It kept tripping the circuit breaker every so often. I ended up adjusting the auto throttle spring to increase the RPM in order to keep up with the TT. Like I said, extremely loud. We only use it for emergencies.

dagmandt · 02-07-2014, 09:19 AM

If for use with your trailer you will be the least popular guy in the campground with that. If you want to run a generator get a Honda or Yamaha. I have a Honda 2000i and it will run my single air conditioner although I figure if I'm dry camping air conditioning should be considered non-functional.

If this is for home, you get what you pay for. Get something with a briggs and Stratton engine, Honda, or Yamaha. It will last.

jesilvas · 02-07-2014, 03:25 PM

I probably would get one that has a 30A 120V outlet on it. If it comes with a 240V you know it'll fry everything basically. So instead of changing it to work, I would just get a different one.

Superslif · 02-07-2014, 07:00 PM

Quote:

If for use with your trailer you will be the least popular guy in the campground with that. If you want to run a generator get a Honda or Yamaha. I have a Honda 2000i and it will run my single air conditioner although I figure if I'm dry camping air conditioning should be considered non-functional.

I would agree, twice been in State or National parks where someone two or three streets ( 500 feet ) was over running a econo genny. Felt sorry for the RVers that were near by. You go to national parks for peace and quite.....Honda's and Yamaha's are no problem. Was camping at Mammoth Caves National Park last summer where the trailer next door was running a Honda 3000. If I had not seen it, would have never known it was there. I plan to spend the $950 to get a Honda 2000 here in the next few years.

rewindguy · 02-08-2014, 11:24 AM

Got a Liflan 3200 from Home Depot. Quiet and loaded with features.

al2ride · 02-08-2014, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rewindguy

Got a Liflan 3200 from Home Depot. Quiet and loaded with features.

Very nice generator especially since it's Honda counterpart is a lot more $$$.

KD4UPL · 02-13-2014, 06:47 AM

It doesn't sound like there's any way to get more than 20 amps at 120v out of that gen. They just don't give you the option. It likely has two windings, each capable of half the output. One winding hooked to each 120v outlet.
You could use an autotransformer to step the 240v output down to 120v then you would have the full rating which was posted at 3,200 watts or 26.7 amps.
I wouldn't do that. Buying extra parts and lugging them around defeats the purpose of buying a cheap generator. Which is another thing I wouldn't do.