Generator question

Been searching online and can’t find a definitive answer so I was hoping someone could help me out.

I’m looking at running this pancake air compressor, warmers, and small appliances (not at the same time) and also a refrigerator at home during power outages.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-...ic-Pancake-Air-Compressor-OF60150HB/303379052

What I’m wondering is with the air compressor, online searches indicate that it needs 3-4x the running wattage (approx 1440watts) to start which is around 4000-5500 watts, some sites are saying over 6000 to start as well.. my buddies are telling me those numbers are bogus, is this accurate or can I run the compressor with a smaller generator like this?

https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-...enerator-with-co-secure-technology-59137.html

 

We have that exact combination of compressor. Generator and warmers 2 sets). Works fine.

 

I have a Predator 3500.
When I do my monthly fire up, I run a pancake and a 1500w infrared heater to put a load on it.
No problem.

 

Are you using a comparable compressor as well?

 

That’s good to know, I wonder why sites are saying the compressor needs 6k watts to run?

 

Yes, Bostich 6gal 150psi

 

It’s called inrush current. It lasts all of about 2-3 seconds.

Gennie will handle it just fine.

 

Do not believe these assclowns. This is the only viable solution:

 

Best generators for your money, at the most economical price: https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/generator

 

A new Porsche engine?

 

Don't forget that a loud generator is best.

 

Amen...

 

As good as the Predator 3500 peak watt gen works well, running watts is 3000. I bounced between that brand model and the Westinghouse brand modal that has peak 4500w and 3700 running watts. Reviews for both were great. I went with the 4500w unit for the reason of more watts to help cover for some of the unknows for $200 less.

Models are essentially the same but with a different tag.

I was going to purchase the predator with the credit card to help ease the 1 time payment by spreading out the payments. The other bonus going with the Westinghouse amazon purchase was they too offer an interest free monthly automatic withdrawal payment method. Essential the same as the HF plan but without adding another credit card to the wallet. I don't care to have more than 2-3 CC'd's.

Sorry a little bit off topic but just wanted to offer my experience(s) when I faced similar questions that the OP had.

 

Interested in your suggestion but do you have a link? my Googlefu isn't apparently good enough.

 

i'm telling you right now....disable the CO2 sensor.

• get a magnetic dipstick and drain plug.
• put battery tender pigtails on there if being stored for a while
• do more oil changes than the 30 hour break in period. i did mine at 1 hour, 11 hour, and 41 hour.
• run your last fill at the track with ethanol free fuel. i keep an empty pale to get some at gas stations.

they go on sale often and have a 20% coupon on them now if you're quick.

 

Hmm....interestingly looks like they no longer offer the 4500w. Glad I struck while the iron was hot. They do have the 3700w but is less in running watts at 3000. I most likely would have gotten the Predator then.

 

You are supposed to change the oil in them?

Wellillbedamned.

 

I've read about people having problems.
I have my 3500 in a 12x20ft storage building with both dual front & side doors.
I've run it inside with the doors open for 3 hours and never had it shut off.
Checking to see what would trigger it, I closed the doors closest to it. No shut off.
Closed just 1 of the front doors and it took about a minute to shut off.

• 
  
• put battery tender pigtails on there if being stored for a while:
  Charging system must be shit. 1st battery went dead after sitting for 2 months.
  Would not take a charge . I now start it once a month and use the pull starter. If it's been sitting for a while, it will kill the battery if I crank it too long.
• 
  
• run your last fill at the track with ethanol free fuel. i keep an empty pale to get some at gas stations.
  You won't need to worry about that if you never use ethanol fuel and put stabilizer in after that last intended use for the season.

 

I use a pred. 3500 to run our tire trailers. On the big trailer, it runs the air compressor, tire machine, lights fridge, and AC/Heat (my mini split is really efficient. I don't expect that to work with a roofmount ac/heat) . All at once.

It will run that compressor you linked, if you haven't gotten that one yet, get this one instead. It pulls half the power and puts out enough air to run a air/electric machine. As a bonus, it's really quiet.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-gal...-hand-carry-jobsite-air-compressor-64596.html

 

Microair Softstart for the roofmount rigs gets you all the inverter low initial startup draw magic for your rooftop setup. Once going, they're about the same efficiency as a mini split but that locked rotor draw off a capacitor start setup on the roofies is what knocks out inverter gens.