Wen 3800 vs predator 3500

Bbouch84 · 02-28-2021, 02:51 PM

Ive seen a couple different articles on both of these inverter generators.. would anyone be willing to share their experience with what ever one they use. I would love the feedback

Big1 · 03-03-2021, 01:01 AM

Have you look at the Cummins inverter generators 4500?

Bbouch84 · 03-03-2021, 07:31 AM

I have. Little too spendy for us.. we dont have a huge tt. Its a 2020 bullet 261rbs. We had a maxxair fan installed . The geni would be just for a/c and keep batteries charged during the day and the. Shut geni off at night

Brantel · 03-03-2021, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbouch84

Ive seen a couple different articles on both of these inverter generators.. would anyone be willing to share their experience with what ever one they use. I would love the feedback

The Wen is on sale right now. I was going to go with the Predator but they don't seem to be going to drop below the $700 mark again.

I plan to purchase two with the parallel kit so I can run my entire rig if needed. I have one 15K btu and one 13.5K btu a/c units.

wiredgeorge · 03-03-2021, 08:57 AM

You might look at the WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Open Frame Inverter Generator being sold on Amazon for $429.67 with free delivery.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XZVLC9H...ding=UTF8&th=1

It doesn't seem to have a wheel kit but is only 66 lbs which is heavy but not so much you couldn't place it where needed. Keep in mind any generator you buy will have to be placed in a location where rain/snow can't get to it while running and will require 5' of space or so around it clear. You may want to invest in some sort portable generator cover... like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Gene...ator+Enclosure

Bbouch84 · 03-03-2021, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

You might look at the WEN GN400i RV-Ready 4000-Watt Open Frame Inverter Generator being sold on Amazon for $429.67 with free delivery.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XZVLC9H...ding=UTF8&th=1

It doesn't seem to have a wheel kit but is only 66 lbs which is heavy but not so much you couldn't place it where needed. Keep in mind any generator you buy will have to be placed in a location where rain/snow can't get to it while running and will require 5' of space or so around it clear. You may want to invest in some sort portable generator cover... like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Gene...ator+Enclosure

99% of open frame generators do not have a spark arrestor in them so they cant be used in state and national forests or national parks.. plus open framed generaters and SUUUUUUUUUPER LOUD your neighbors wont.like you and you can hear it in your unit.

Brantel · 03-04-2021, 05:23 AM

I am really seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on two of the Wen 3800 units with the 50 amp parallel kit. The only thing that gives me pause is the parallel kit as someone left a review stating that only one leg of the 50 amp plug was powered.

Anyone have anything negative to say about the Wen units?

jsb5717 · 03-04-2021, 07:16 AM

We have the WEN 400i. We bought it direct from WEN on their website for $393 with free shipping. We don't boondock so we just carry it for backup power. Parks don't lose power often but it has happened a few times over the years...and usually for only a few hours. So far seems like a great little genny. I plan to make an insulated box for it that allows it to breathe while running to mitigate noise. But in those rare times when power is gone a little generator noise is the least of my concerns.

Here's where we bought ours
https://wenproducts.com/products/400...rter-generator

Sarge2 · 03-04-2021, 12:25 PM

Just got a Champion 3400 Dual fuel... very quiet and will run my A/C and most everything else even running propane .... I got it as a Christmas Gift but It was about 900 bucks on sale at Tractor Supply...

dutchmensport · 03-04-2021, 12:50 PM

I know you said the Cummings Onan P4500i was pricey, but if you want something that works very, very well, you'll never regret getting this one. It does have the 30 amp RV socket on it also. Dry weight is a little over 100 pounds, but it runs quiet, has wheels, battery start with a remote, and can be used in parallel with a second one for 50 amp if you get the kit. The only problem is, I wish I had a cover for them (I have 2) that when traveling, the covers would not blow off. I haven't found anything I like yet. But the generators are fantastic! You might want to reconsider.

jasin1 · 03-04-2021, 05:41 PM

I have the predator 3500. Seems like a decent generator...I also putchased the 2 year no question replacement warranty

JBWardFamily · 03-05-2021, 06:49 AM

If you join the "Inside Track" club at Harbor Freight and wait for their 20% off coupon with no exceptions rule you can get the Predator for $679. It costs $25 to join so it works out. Picked mine up last week.

RVDad89 · 03-07-2021, 02:24 PM

I've had 2 of the WEN 2000i for 4 years now, ran in parallel, and they run perfectly! Paid $375 a piece for them on sale at Amazon. Most of my friends say "must" buy the Honda but my WEN are just as quiet and if they fail I can buy another set and still be ahead!! I have 2 friends that have the Predator and they both failed in less than 2 years! IF you buy the Predator you MUST buy that 2 year warranty! The 2 WEN have no problem running 1 AC and most anything else in the camper EXPECT for a Keurig, go figure! Can run both the microwave and AC with no issues. We do run the AC fan on all the time as this helps cut the power draw when the AC actually kicks on.

Big1 · 03-08-2021, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbouch84

I have. Little too spendy for us.. we dont have a huge tt. Its a 2020 bullet 261rbs. We had a maxxair fan installed . The geni would be just for a/c and keep batteries charged during the day and the. Shut geni off at night

It's the Cummins 4500 the same size as the Predator 3500?

Big1 · 03-08-2021, 06:52 PM

Oh, never mind the Cummins cost a little more.

akmk81 · 03-08-2021, 07:23 PM

I have a Predator 3500 and love it. Very quiet and will run our 15K a/c, fridge and hot water heater with no problem. Tough little bugger too. I strap it down on the rear shelf bike rack on the back of the 5er where I know it takes a beating from the road plus throw in rain and cold (we used it last November boondocking) and it starts right up and purrs like a kitten!

**JRTJH** · 03-08-2021, 08:17 PM

The current COSTCO sales flyer has the Firman 2000/1600 watt generator on sale for $100 off. Normal price is 449 and sales price is 349. If I remember correctly, the parallel cable comes with each generator. That's the cheapest I've seen Firman 2000's in about 4 or 5 years.

jasin1 · 03-09-2021, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

The current COSTCO sales flyer has the Firman 2000/1600 watt generator on sale for $100 off. Normal price is 449 and sales price is 349. If I remember correctly, the parallel cable comes with each generator. That's the cheapest I've seen Firman 2000's in about 4 or 5 years.

John can you parallel different brand and size generators?

**JRTJH** · 03-09-2021, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasin1

John can you parallel different brand and size generators?

Some yes, most ABSOLUTELY NO !!!!!

There was an article that followed a question to the Honda Generator website asking about connecting a Honda generator to another brand and Honda said not to even attempt it. Yamaha had (not sure if it's still there) a warning in their FAQ section of the website that said something like, "Only use our parallel kit to connect similar generators." They have since changed that to allow connecting different size generators in the same family with the limitation of only calculating double the power of the smaller generator. When I read that, I chuckled, knowing that someone who only reads the title on the owner's manual is going to connect a 4000 and a 2000 watt generator and burn up a parallel kit (or melt the wires and get electrocuted trying to put out the fire) while they're trying to get 5500 watts out of that pair...

To the best of my knowledge, there's no way to connect different brands (safely) to increase the power. Different regulating circuits, different output terminal names, different phasing and rectifying circuitry just doesn't play well together, especially when you're in the woods and the closest emergency room is "somewhere, far away"......

Buckeyexx · 03-09-2021, 08:54 AM

I purchased the wen 3800 back in the summer just before I went to Florida for 4 days. Had only planned needing it for a back up in case something happened. Well that something did happen and needed it for the entire 4 days while there.
I would absolutely recommend getting one to anybody that asks. It performed flawlessly day and night. Had to run it pretty much non stop except the early mornings for a few hours I would give it a break. I ran the ac the entire I ran it because obviously it is Florida and the heat was in the 90s plus humidity. I did change the oil around the first 8 hours then again around 20 hours I think. It has been great and starts up every time I need it too. I try to let it run for 30 min each month as recommended.

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