How To Get Full Power From Predator 3500 Inverter Generator, Camping, Home Backup, GFCI Safety GFI
22,410
Published 2022-03-24
1) Get full power output from the generator. This box allows me to use the large RV plug on the generator while tent or truck camping to get the full potential power output from the generator without owning an actual RV. I cannot get the full 3500 watts out of the standard outlet on the front panel of the Harbor Freight Predator generator. The one standard outlet on the front panel is only capable of supplying between 1800 to 2400 watts (best case scenario), but I paid for 3500 watts, peak. This portable power distribution box allows me to use the 30 amp round RV plug to get the full 3500 watts. This same type of power distribution box (spider box) would also work on just about any of the other import inverter generators that are on the market today, Harbor Freight Predator, WEN, Northern Tool Powerhorse, Westinghouse, Champion, Generac, Ryobi, etc…. Even the Honda and the Yamaha generators could benefit from a spider box like this.
2) Added safety. None of the built-in outlets of the front panel of this generator have GFCI protected outlets. My new portable power distribution box has two, 20 amp GFCI outlets. I am sure there will be a few people that will say GFCI outlets are not needed on a generator but I cannot thing of a single scenario where using GFCI outlets is MORE dangerous than NOT using them. I would MUCH rather know that I have GFCI protection while camping in the woods that are soaking wet from all the rain that usually falls in the area where I typically camp.
3) Sound control. The cord on my spider box is 25 feet by itself, plus I have an additional 100 feet of extension cord that will potentially allow me to push my generator 125 feet into the wood, away from my campsite, to help greatly with sound control. This generator is already very quiet, but the further away I can get ANY generator from my campsite, the better my overall camping experience will be.
Please leave a comment below and let me know if something like this would be handy for YOUR camping situation. Also, please ask any question that you may have.
Amazon links below....
Power meter on the front of the box:
amzn.to/3IDnPqy
Strain relief for 10/3 SOOW cord:
amzn.to/3qwCUUC
25” 10/3 SOOW cord:
amzn.to/3Lckalg
Legrand 125 volt, 30 amp MALE plug: (2 of these. 1 for the box, 1 for the 100’ extension cord)
amzn.to/3LchYdw
Legrand 125 volt, 30 FEMALE plug: (For 100’ extension cord)
amzn.to/3wzR3Vc
Electric panel box:
amzn.to/3izo7UR
Circuit Breakers:
amzn.to/3JDPglC
Legrand 15 amp, 125 volt male plug: (I made my own neutral bonding plug)
amzn.to/3JPbYHi
4 rubber feet for the bottom of the box:
amzn.to/3itTD6S
Thanks for watching!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
All Comments (21)
-
Power meter on the front of the box: amzn.to/3IDnPqy Strain relief for 10/3 SOOW cord: amzn.to/3qwCUUC 25” 10/3 SOOW cord: amzn.to/3Lckalg Legrand 125 volt, 30 amp MALE plug: (2 of these. 1 for the box, 1 for the 100’ extension cord) amzn.to/3LchYdw Legrand 125 volt, 30 FEMALE plug: (For 100’ extension cord) amzn.to/3wzR3Vc Electric panel box: amzn.to/3izo7UR Circuit Breakers: amzn.to/3JDPglC Legrand 15 amp, 125 volt male plug: (I made my own neutral bonding plug) amzn.to/3JPbYHi 4 rubber feet for the bottom of the box: amzn.to/3itTD6S As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
This is great! Thanks! I never thought of making a load center portable like this. The inclusion of the meter is very helpful for monitoring what the system is doing. The only concern I have, and this might not apply to how you are using it, is that your ground neutral bonding plug was made from a 15 amp plug and, if used, will be plugged into a 15 ? 20 amp receptacle. In the event of your 30 amp circuit having an overload or short, the bonding plug / receptacle / wiring may burn up before the 30 amp internal breaker trips. However, the 20 amp circuit that is at fault will break at 20 amps, so that will make it not quite so dangerous.
-
Right on Brian, So this is what you were talking about in the community post. This is genious. This should be right up WJ Handy Dad's alley. He's been experiencing regular annual power outages for the past two years. I have a feeling he might be ready to buy one of these units for emergency back up. -Chuck
-
Very very good idea! Thank you. Subscribed, bell rung, commented, upvoted, liked, shared ... may the algorithm gods smile favorably upon your channel.
-
Great video Brian!! I “may” make one of these sub box extensions
-
Thank you for the video.
-
Great information. Good job brother
-
Dude, this is freaking amazing! I need a wiring diagram to be 100% sure of the wiring on that sub box. Fuckin amazing man!
-
I've pulled 24 amps combined from the two standard outlets without it tripping. I was running two space heaters on high which is roughly 1500 watts each. I admit, I didn't run it for more than a minute like that, but it worked.
-
Very good information I have the 4500 powerhorse and the 9000 staring watt champion inverter with has the 50AMP outlet
-
Wow this is great .
-
I’ll take two of them, 👍 Nice job
-
Hello from the high desert of New Mexico USA 🇺🇸. I have that same generator, the generator can only put out 25amps period, the 120 volt outlets trip at 15amps
-
Im trying to run a electric flat grill 1600w Generator breaker trips after some minutes of running . Generator doesn't turn off just the breaker pops at 15.9 i will try this very soon and report Thanks for your video its really helping.
-
I have a or Predator 3500 and I was able to pull 30.3 amps for a couple of minutes before it over loads I have a bigger generator for if the power is out in the day time I mad a adapter too hook up to my interlock inlet so I can use my 3500 at night if the power goes out at night which is enough to run my refrigerator A couple of lights in my furnace in the winter or a small window unit in the summertime at night in one of my bedrooms I need power for medical sleeping devices so I need quiet power two I love this generator it is so good fuel
-
I love this video!!! Not exactly sure how I am going to get an 18 amp k9 11 high velocity dog hair dryer to work full power via my predator 3500 watt inverter, but I think I am getting closer after seeing the concept of your vid. Wondering though, since I am in Phoenix Arizona, and fully intend to designate a plug just for dryer, can I use a dog bone rv plug to do it in the mean time??? I'm an older female, and have converted a small shuttle bus to a mobile grooming vehicle, and I am desperately in need of a full powered dryer. I am so close after 2.5 years of building this beast, lol.
-
Great idea! I'm collecting parts to build my own now. Where did you find the transfirmer to run the amp/ volt meter? I can't seem to find one..
-
Wish u could buy the whole thing already built 👌🏼
-
It would be interesting if you tested the box with the 125 ft cord and see what the voltage drop between the generator and your breakout box. I have a funny feeling at close to 25 amps you will either see the voltage drop or your cord will start warming up.
-
I'd like a tri-fuel one - to hook up to natural gas line. For those extended Texas power grid shutdowns. Gasoline or Propane wont help after they run out.
