The company took a big risk getting james to review these especially if they are made in China. James is straight and honest. If he found they didnt meet the published specifications he would NOT have passed them so all credit to him for doing this. Thank you James.
I just make them all angry, but they still offer stuff to me and my channel since I do videos for 15 years now, I think I am in the 20 million views on my channel. I refuse free, will do it for a huge 50, 60, 75% off $$ coupon but no way for free. I get about 40 offers a week to promote all kinds of stuff on my channel, so I may make a discount deal or 2 on a few items if I have the money to do it. You know what is junk when they won't make a deal where they can not dictate the video. 90% of You Tubers who get free stuff are just full of it. Total shills, The list is huge. They get cash and 100% free and I just can not do that, self respect I guess. James will not "tow the line" for them either. I bash what's junk since I got skin $$ in the game, and I show what works as well, how to modify it, fix it, use it. But NEVER allow them to send you something for free, then they own you! No Way!
We believe that James can help us identify areas for improvement in our machines, allowing us to optimize them. Our engineers also appreciate James’s videos and recognize his expertise.
@@ErayakPowerSolution I have to upload a video on the 4500 model I have, didn't get a electric start or dual inverter set up. Plenty of footage video on it already but my being home more than a few hours a day may help LOL! But, credit is due to you guys. I have torture tested mine and If a issue is found, you do listen and deal with it. Probably why your inverters and generators are so effective. But like James said, you seriously need to make the valve cover easier to service. Now I just have to hope you make a diesel inverter model, put me on the list and be sure they can exceed 5000 watts.
I’m subscribed to almost 50 small engine channels and notified on 20, with over 5K hours on UA-cam in 3 years and James Condon is right at the top of my list.
I started watching your videos a week or so ago and now I cant stop fixing generators! Fixed up an old Coleman Powermate 2250 and a Generac GP5500 over the last few days, neither ran beforehand. I wouldn't have been able to do it without your videos, thank you!
@@freevipservers I get tons of offers for free stuff, and most all offer cash too. I refuse the free thing and will only take something if I pay something. Normally I pay shipping if its a really cheap item or tell them to send me a 75% off code to buy it ( most common ) for something like this generator. They sent me a 60% off so I paid $203 for the 4500 manual one I got now, and the 2400 watt I paid over $200 since they only agreed to a 50% off. This way I do not have to accept their rules, time plan, or a script on it. AND MOST IMPORTANT I can hack it, modify it and change it. And as you can see on my channel, if it sucks, since I got skin in the game and can say it sucks or needs XYZ done to make it ok, which I have done often! For that I do get lots less offers now, but I really do not even like making videos anymore and with over 500 on my channel I just get tired of even being on the system. If it was not for so many people getting scammed by AI and Professional YOU TUBE promoters I would just do videos on watching paint dry! Good show on the machines though, they are decent quality. And if your wondering why they are 3500 watts with clamed 150cc it's because they are really 194cc 4.75 horse GHI made clone foreign market only Kawasaki FJ KAI-190 engines.
James is straight and honest. Over the years, I have learned to trust him because he reports the things he likes, the things he doesn't like, and the things that each brand should improve. That's why I have been supporting him, learning, and watching his videos for many years.👍
ERAYAK were confident they had a good product and sent it to the most rigorous tester in the game. Smart marketing move. If they follow this up and offer to put your name on either this or any other model that may be even smarter. As far as I'm concerned you have earned that level of recognition. Their move.
I have never hear of this company before. But for a company to send out one of their products to be independently tested and reviewed is proof they are willing to stand behind their product. What was really amazing they sent him a second generator so he could test the parallel feature of the generators. What got me was the second generator started on the first pull of the cord. I have a Champion 6250 inverter and out of the box and every time I started it. It would take several pulls of the cord. Until recently after I changed out the spark plug to an NGK. It now starts on the first pull. I think the Torch spark plug that a lot of these generators come through with aren't hot enough for initial start. But for the a review to only come up with one bad feature such as the fuel shut off. Which I beleive the company will rectify in no time. These machines appear to be flawless. Thank you James for such an amazing open review.
While we are a new brand, we are an experienced manufacturing factory. Unlike a trading company, we produce our generators directly and actively incorporate feedback from James to improve our products.
That is an impressive setup, especially the 2 in parallel. I was curious to see if the sine wave was any different with them in parallel. Probably not, but would have been interesting to check. Also, when load testing with lights and space heaters, you could always check the amps you are pulling, multiply it by the voltage readout on the killawatt and you will have the exact wattage. I have a short cord with separated wires so I can clip an amp meter around one leg of the cord to measure whatever is plugged into it. Thanks for the video!
For the past 3 months I have been using the ERAYAK 3000 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter using a 230 amp-hr Li Time LiFeP04 battery running an 1800 Watt microwave every day without any issues. It's been great so far, pulling a heavy inductive load. The AC voltage under load is 118.4 VAC, with a perfect 60 hertz measured output.
I was watching some of your historical videos the other day and it came to my mind that your working & video production conditions really did improve when you acquired that hoist. No more bending, stooping or crawling around on the floor. 👍
Very interesting post today, they’re all interesting 😂. I did my electrical fitting trade back in the early 70s majoring in HV reticulation and HV DC rectification, the moved on to generation and finished my working life at a unit controller, controlling 660MW units. When bringing a rotary converter on line you had a 50/50 chance of getting it right only using phase lights, and didn’t the play up if you missed it 😂. In power generation I started with 2X 15MW Units feed by 2 stoker boilers. That was a great job, thoroughly enjoyed the place. Moved on to 500MW units, their boilers were of fired, forced circulation boilers, then moved to the 660MW units fed by of fired natural circulation boilers. Retired in 2k, and I miss them to this day. On shift I loved getting my junior guys to monitor my boards and controls whilst I did a walk round the boiler and turbine and listen for Abnormal noises and a that talk to various parts. This sounds crazy, but knowing the plant as I did, well, it was like your car, any abnormal noise can be heard and analysed quickly. Some of your viewers may be surprised to hear that the airspace within the generator (really an alternator) airspace, around the rotor and windings is actually filled with hydrogen (99.9% pure) to reduce windage friction and aid cooling. Had some butt puckering moments over the years, but I’ve never lost my love and respect for those beautiful machines. Thank you for doing what you do, and particularly for today. When you brought up the parallel operation I nearly fell over, and remembered the day we were returning a 500MW unit to service after a major overhaul including controls. Unfortunately the technicians had wrongly wired the synchroscope wrong, everything looked and worked as it should, but when I closed the main 23kv breaker the turbine and generator nearly danced across the operating floor! You’ve never seen so many university educated engineers nearly faint at the same time 😂😂😂, dopey buggers. Any way, this held the unit out for another week while everything was checked and mistakes rectified. Cheers to you and have a great day.
Nice video the brake in oil looked a lot better then my champion 2500 changed it 3 times in 6 hours of run time before it looked good have a 93 honda ex1000 bought new still runs perfect
Great video review! It's amazing how many new inverter gens keep coming to the market. The competition is huge now, which is a good thing for innovation, and price. These high-power density suitcase units have come such a long way in the last 2-3 years, it's amazing!
Nice machines. One possible improvement for the all-in-one fuel + ignition control could be adding a dented "stop" position before the end of travel toward the "stop". So it would have 4 positions: START (choke on), RUN (choke off), STOP (fuel cutoff only) and KILL (fuel & ignition off).
some questions came to mind: 1. can you run carburator dry by running on propane for a few minutes ? 2. can you run carb dry by closing vent cap ? 3. is there a low oil level auto-shutoff ? 4. does the inverter (power electronics) have over temperature shutdown in the event ventilation is partially blocked ?
When I saw the beginning of this video I was worried James had become a shill. After his clarification, I'd say this was the most honest way of reviewing a product. Well done James.
@@DanKoning777 I agree with you but Todd often discloses purchasing products with his own money. This arrangement was a bit different as the generator was provided free of charge.
@@jeremymcauliff8485 // It's all good-I was merely addressing re: "...this was the most honest way of reviewing a product" vs having ERAYAK as a sponsor of his channel. I agree-Todd does plainly state that he purchases what he tests/reviews.
At 70 years old I cannot afford any generator. After losing power all last year my husband and I froze. We had 2 portable heaters but could not use them either because our house is electric. I called so many companies and senior help lines and was amazed no one could help us. Talk about frustration and hardship. My husband recovering from cancer did not help our situation. Thanks for your reviews. I am trying to learn about necessary devices.
James, you mentioned you're not an electrician but you're so well versed in so many things. Would you mind sharing next video your professional background and experience? It would be interesting to learn a bit more about you
Regarding oil and non-filtered engines: I have heard that detergent oils keep particles suspended so that the oil filter can trap them. Non-detergent oils let the particles settle out. You would think this is bad (sludge), but a well-designed small engine will have a good sump that lets any abrasive grit settle out instead of being splashed back into your rotating assembly.
@@generessler6282They should still be a thing but not as common anymore. I think most non-detergent oils you could find are specialised for pumps. Machines like pressure washer pumps, air compressors and hydraulic pumps need non-detergent oil since the detergents in motor oil can kill these machines.
Way back when, I was in the Navy and when loading a generator, we were taught to adjust voltage to get the synch scope rotating slowly in the clockwise direction and then close the breaker at 5 of. I then went on to work at a cogen producing approximately 100 MW and steam to a factory. Again, we all closed breakers manually. Late one night shift, I was looking at the control panels for each generator and saw this push button labeled "AUTO-SYNCH". I asked a guy that had been there since commissioning what that was for and he told me that it would synch and close the breaker automatically. I asked him if it worked and he told me that it did during the testing they did at commissioning but no one he knew off used them since then. We always did it manually.
I just happened to buy an Arayak generator for the trifuel feature. I haven't even put oil in it yet. This is the best intro to using this machine you could get. The instruction manuel is very limited. I find this to be the perfect camper ot camping generator. Or for short-term home emergency with the natural gas feature. Thanks, perfect review. FYI, I purchased the no electric start machine. It does not come with wheel accessories.
Great video and teaching as always! As for the line 1 and 2 being connected with the parallel kit, that is very common for RV's. A 50amp "240v" service goes into the distribution panel but separates both legs as 2 separate 120v lines. There is no 240 appliance in an RV, unless there was something custom made or modified.
This is one of the first generator reviews that I have seen that has been performed by a small engine mechanic! You did a excellent job talking about the difference between the 2 fuels. That is something that most home owners overlook. Another thing to look at is altitude. My 22KW whole house generator drops by 3.5% for every 1000 feet above sea level. I'm at 2300 feet so I loose 7%. Just something else to keep in mind and why they tell you to read the entire manual!
1] Based on how well these generators performed and the fact that ERAYAK chose James to test/review their product, it's clear they think before making a decision. 2] IF there was a feature I'd like to see on these units it would be an "Auto Throttle" which mine has. Makes them quiet(er), and more fuel efficient. 3] You must have great neighbors James. Great video as always. 👍👍👍
I don't know exactly how these models are set-up but most (I think) inverter versions will auto throttle down because they don't have to keep the speed constant in order to keep the frequency stable. The RPM just determines the current output. it might just be how far the manufacturer sets it up to idle back at low to no load.
One thing I DON'T like about this brand is having to take a panel off to check the oil. That's the FIRST thing done to a generator here before even gassing it up. We ran our old 96 model Coleman 5K for FOUR days during this storm with a 10 horse I/C Briggs with NO issues pulling 2 fridges and a freezer with chargers for batteries and a 220 well pump. It had been sitting idle for over 3 years before this and popped 2ice and RAN! Now the gas is drained, ran dry and oil changed waiting on the next one. It was 2nd hand when I got it in 02 and does a fine job every time it's been call on. An inverter would be nice but sure isn't necessary. Not here in the hills, anyway. You do a FINE job. Keep after it and God BlessYall!
It's an inverter type, the frequency is ultimately derived from a crystal oscillator. If you push it hard enough the voltage can reduce / waveform become mangled / it drops the load depending on the program running it all.
@@tubeDude48 Certainly, there are even microcontrollers specifically intended for the job but ultimately the behaviour comes down to what the program tells it to do.
Hi James, I just wanted to reach out to express my sincere gratitude for all you do. You take the time and care to articulate everything so clearly and concisely, and I've gained a tremendous amount from your videos. I watch them frequently-probably more often than my fiancée would prefer, but the insights are invaluable! I'm working with a Generac generator (22,500 W starting, 15,000 W running) and am interested in safely hooking it up to power my home. My home runs entirely on electric, including an LG HVAC system and two instant hot water heaters. Living in a rural part of New Jersey, reliable backup power is essential to keep my family comfortable during outages. I do have some concerns about "dirty" power, but I understand this generator model includes a voltage regulator and has two cylinders. While I’m not well-versed in mechanics, it seems from your videos that this setup generally provides fairly clean power with low total harmonic distortion (THD). I’m curious to know how I might measure THD accurately and safely. I have a voltmeter similar to yours-the one with the top red and yellow clips-but I’m unsure where to place the probes and which settings to use to read THD correctly. I want to avoid any missteps, so any guidance would be appreciated. Another question: would you recommend a transfer switch, or is it safe and effective to use a standard receptacle with an interlock device? I’m looking for a cost-effective solution, so avoiding the need for an additional independent fuse panel would be ideal. I’ve also done some research on soft starters for my HVAC system, which I understand may help extend its lifespan, though I’m not certain if it’s necessary. Lastly, I’ve purchased surge protectors (one from Tripp Lite and an RV-specific model) to plug into the generator before connecting my 50-amp cable, as an added precaution. ChatGPT suggested this was a prudent measure, but I’d be interested in your thoughts. I’d be thrilled to have the chance to meet you and even have you look over my generator if you’re close enough to New Jersey. If you’re open to it, I’d be happy to compensate you for a carburetor cleaning, and I think it could make a great video for your channel, especially since you’ve mentioned an interest in larger machines. I’d love to see if my model makes your top-five list! Thank you again for everything-I truly value your videos and the wealth of knowledge you share. You’ve inspired me to approach projects with greater care and attention to detail, and for that, I’m extremely grateful. Best regards, Michael
I'm impressed with how they held 59.9 Hz no matter what the load was. I was surprised of the competitive pricing of their generators. Never heard of them before but very impressed with them... Good review Jim!
The frequency of inverter generators does not depend on the load. The sine wave is generated by a microcontroller and depends only on the stability of its clock frequency.
@@1mrstench Also the nice feature of inverter generators is that they will throttle down based on a light load or no load and still keep the voltage and Hz constant.
First, a great video, and thank you. Second, this may help someone else who may be out there with a dual-fuel Champion 2500 watt machine like I have... I have modified my setup to run from the propane tanks on my camper, through an auxiliary propane port. This makes the length of the propane line to the generator much longer than it is with the stock setup (which is only a couple feet). As a result, starting it on propane is quite hard. BUT, I have learned that I can start the machine on gasoline first, then plug the proprietary propane quick connect into the generator and change the control knob to propane and it will stumble for a split second, and continue on propane instead of gasoline. I much prefer running on propane, as it burns much cleaner and a spark plug will last almost forever. Oil stays much cleaner also. Hope this helps someone...
@@jerryconrad5251 Yes, but the point I was trying to make is that you can switch to propane easily after starting on gasoline. Starting directly on propane can be problematic, at least that's what I've found.
Your "house wiring" with a gen, is spot-on accurate, regarding the feeding of a 120/240V panel with a single 120V jumped to both legs and overloading the neutral. This should probably be left to someone who has a strong working understanding of Ohm's Law, Electrical wiring, and the exact loads within their house, that they wish to use. Very, very good discussion that you give on this.
@@livingsurvival, many use parallel gensets for running large RVs with 2 or more AC units and large refrigerators. Those RVs use 240v 50 amp plugs, but they don't wire anything for 240v. Everything is wired as 120v using the 2 legs separately.
Something very interesting i noticed at 18:47 when you first started it, is the sound (or lack thereof) it made. It appears that this does not use a seperate starter motor to turn the engine over. Instead, it uses the stator that normally produces the electricity, in reverse, as a brushless motor to get the engine to turn over, which is really clever.
I like how they are using the generator head to start since it is a 3-phase head like how the hybrid cars like Toyotas use the motor/generator in the transaxle to start their engines and adjust gear ratios.
This may be the best money they spend on advertising, just a cost off generator. You have me convinced to buy this brand. the capability to run on NG is great.
We are very grateful to James for publishing such an excellent video. Our primary goal was to identify any shortcomings in the machine so we can optimize the generator.
I'm not surprised that generators manufacturers turn up to you to make reviews of their products. You're the reference in the matter. (The Kipor works great) 😁😁😁
Excellent review and thorough demonstration! I look forward to seeing your discussion on using natural gas too! I was curious about the battery charging while the machine runs so I contacted the Erayak Co. (which was very responsive, returned my emails within hours!) . They said "the generator is designed to automatically recharge the battery while it is running, so there's no need for manual recharging. In case the electric start fails due to a low battery, you can simply use the manual pull start to get the generator running, and it will then begin to recharge the battery on its own." Another great feature!
Great review. On the parallel connectivity, hope that you can check phase on both legs. It is very simple to flip an ac phase 180º : you only need to run a single 120v leg through a 1:1 transformer. The transformer output coil is just reverse wound from the input coil. All your warnings and caveats apply, of course, but it would be really good if an inverter-gernerator parallel set up would do that automatically.
I suppose someone's already mentioned this, but you answered your own question. When you said close the vent valve on the gas tank. The carburetor will starve for fuel. Then you can literally run the carburetor out of gas. Let me know if I'm wrong. I work on Standby generator systems and I enjoy watching you work on these ones.
I can’t believe someone finally beat Honda at the inverter generator game they created decades ago. Although who knows how long the engine will last on these units which is a major Honda quality feature. I noticed both generators misspelled generator on the covers. Never heard of Erayak. I own a Honda EU2000i and a EU3000i. Can hardly believe Erayak made a generator that has a higher rating than the EU3000i and is much smaller and lighter and both are electric start… amazing.
Honda's have a bigger displacement motor for a given size inverter generator. This helps the Honda make less noise at lower engine speed, while still having enough horsepower to turn the generator load. But trade off is this lower speed makes for a heavier unit. Both motor, and generator head.
We sincerely apologize for the mistake. This is a sample machine we provided to James for testing, and there was an oversight in the sticker approval process. We have already corrected this issue in the first batch of production units.
Looks like a nice machine, with some very nice features, plus, very nice stable voltage output. My only concern with machines that come from China, are longevity and spare parts availability.
Your concerns are reasonable. We are a new brand, and we are working hard to ensure every step meets customer satisfaction. It will take time for our after-sales service to prove itself, but we are doing our best.
Yes you are absolutely correct about L1 and L2 being fed from the same leg. It could overload the neutral in 3 wire circuits. I think there maybe an issue with certification/approvals with these parallel kits. At least in Canada, splayed cables are generally not approved either.
Brilliant video, Jim. They are an awesome brand. I have a few of their 12v 2kw inverters in my van. So reliable and well made. They were smart to find the best person to review generators. It looks like they are made under licence and possibly the same as the Champion Mighty Atom as they share some noticeable components
Regarding using the generator-windings to start the engine.... My 1960's Yamaha motorcycle had electric start which used the generator windings to crank the engine. (It was a 180cc twin-cylinder 2-stroke.)
Your review definitely has me thinking of purchasing one of these generators. Not that I'm a big user of propane or LPN, but I DO have 60 pounds of it along on camping trips to locations without power. I use my Honda EU2200i in those off-grid locations. This three-fuel generator is about the same price as my Honda, AND it provides more power. The Honda's enough for my needs, but definitely requires I turn off the air conditioner in the camper before my wife starts up her hair dryer, or before I turn on the microwave oven. It's easy to do, but . . . if a quiet, slightly larger, inverter generator is available for the same, or better, price, why not go that path? But speaking of quiet, the Honda's rated at 48 to 57 dB, quite a bit quieter than this generator at 71 dB--AND that being measured at 25 feet from the unit. We know that sound volume doubles with every 3 dB, and if we compare maximum sound output of 71 dB to 57 dB, a difference of 14 dB, and then think of how 3 dB is a doubling (or halving) of sound, this unit outputs nearly five times as much audible noise as the Honda EU2200i. Definitely a negative factor when I am in a campground with neighbors, or in an isolated area of the wilderness. Have you done the dB test with the Honda EU2200i, at 25 feet? Honda measures their at 7m, or 23'. I thought I'd watched all your videos, but missed a measurement of the sound output of the Honda. I'd like to see your real-world measurement of it, to compare apples to apples. I didn't see a two-position switch offering fuel savings & less noise, such as the one my Honda has. Instead, it appears this brand/model just ramps up the power & noise to match the demand. I've grown accustomed to the Honda switch. What's your take on the difference between the two--Honda's switch, Erayak's lack of one? The electric start is a nice feature, especially when combined with the gravity feed fuel solution. There've been plenty of times I've had to pull as many as ten times to get my Honda started, after fuel was drained from the bowl. I like learning from you that filling the carburetor bowl is done naturally on this unit. And I like pulling fewer times--or ZERO times with an electric start! I really appreciate your observations & caveats on the unit. One suggestion I'd offer to the manufacturer, beyond better audible noise damping, is simple cosmetics: the power/fuel rotator switch is black on a black background. I like my controls to be bright and obvious--especially on generators, where sometimes a choke control is black on a black engine, located underneath the fuel tank in the shadows--very hard to see! Making it white or red would be a simple change that would immediately direct my attention to something for which I'm looking. Given the size and color AND PRICE of this unit are remarkably like the Honda EU2200i, it's obvious Erayak is targeting Honda, and perhaps Yamaha, for the lead in high end inverter generator sales. Same price, AND a tri-fuel option, while retaining the ability to pair with another generator to double the output if needed. I notice Amazon sells the gasoline-only version, which is still a 3500/4500 Watt inverter generator, for $719. That's $231 less than my Honda was new. More incentive to buy this brand, if I don't mind almost five times as much noise. I predict Honda's going to sit up and take notice of this new product, and perhaps improve their generators or their price point--or both.
Honda does make the quietest inverter generator available. Not sure I have measured the sound output of a Honda. I did a review of another ERAYAK model a could years ago and I did compare the sound to a Yamaha EF2000i: ua-cam.com/video/vyfN8SAsixY/v-deo.html
Hello, regarding noise levels, I'd like to clarify: for a 2400W generator, we achieve sound levels between 52dB and 58dB, and for a 4500W generator, our range is 60.5dB to 70dB. Our noise-reduction technology rivals that of Honda. Thank you very much for considering our machines; currently, we are offering a 10% discount coupon for James's audience.
Its such a joy watching your videos, your knowhow and the way you present the how tos and explaining how things work is just mesmerizing . Big thumbs up , and I now know a lot more about small engines, been servicing my snow blower (it needed it) thanks a bunch👍
This was a great review. Thanks for spending the time with the features and load testing. The sound levels are higher than I would expect, but I like the tri-fuel option. It doesn't look like they have any 240V models on their website, so not a great solution for home backup. If they come out with a 240V model, you should review that as well...
There is only a very small handful of you tuber reviews that I will trust and James you are one of those,Chinese English or German made I'm sure you will give us good or bad regardless. Thanks.
I thoroughly enjoyed this review! I would be happy to see you do a few generator reviews mixed in with your repair videos. I definitely appreciate your insight. One thing I would like to see is a comment on parts availability should these brands discontinue the models. For example is the engine a clone from another well known manufacturer?
Hello, Our company's maintenance of a model is not just for a short period of time, we update each model's product and provide accessories over a long period of time.
I don't know a damn thing about generators because living in England we have a pretty good and consistent power grid here. But I find your videos are a great source of information for those people who have to use generators. Very good information and helpful way of getting it to people, keep it up.
GREAT review. Longevity is difficult to evaluate in a few hours but track records of another brand by many many users over thousands of run hours leads me to spend a little more for a proven brand. Parts availability and service is also a factor.
Your concerns are valid. We are a new brand, and we are committed to doing everything right to ensure customer satisfaction. After-sales service will take time to prove its quality, but we are doing our best.
Thanks, James! We NEED more Made in USA stuff. A GenRator of Americans chose CHEAP over Quality. Maybe things are going to change. That 'ole leaf blower, once "restored," was totally awesome!!
I enjoy very much watching you work on the machines, but this was a pleasant change for something different. Perhaps the first real product review on the channel? I've not seen all the past videos but have seen many and don't recall seeing a full product review until today. 👌
That looks like a very impressive product. If not for you, I would have never seen it and its quality and potential uses. That seems like a smart use of ERAYAK's promotional budget. Hopefully you will keep us updated about the unit's dependability and durability, long term.
Great video mate. I have a MaxWatt generator (2 of them) and they are absolutely amazing. The paralleling feature is phenomenal. Thank you for a comprehensive video.
James, I ran Royal Purple break in oil for the prescribed period in my new Predator 5000 InvGen, and will be changing it to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic. The HF Pred 5000 is also going to be 800 soon as a Blk Fri special.
"Trifuel Inverter GenRATOR"??? (printed sign on side of unit). Deliberate mis-spelling or lost-in-translation? Makes a significant point about the source and, potentially, reliability.
Actually they're alternators, but nobody calls them that. Does that make all the manufacturers and brands suspect to you? I think your tinfoil is expired and you need to change your hat🤣
We sincerely apologize for the mistake. This is a sample machine we provided to James for testing, and there was an oversight in the sticker approval process. We have already corrected this issue in the first batch of production units.
Hi James. I believe when you parallel two inverters the limit is 99% of the combined running watts of the two machines. At least that is what the Maxpeedingrods manual says.
I really like this generator. I currently use a Champion 4500W inverter to charge the lithium battery bank in my converted cargo trailer/camper, and it works great! But it's more than twice as heavy as this one being tested, and much larger. At 3500 running watts, it's also got well over twice the capacity I need to charge my batteries! However, it has one feature I can't find on these smaller generators, and that's REMOTE electric start. I know it's a minor gripe, but when it's freezing outside and I need to start the generator, it's nice to be able to push a button without getting out of my sleeping bag. If this one had remote start, I'd be a buyer in a heartbeat.
We have also explored remote start technology, but we found it to be prone to malfunction. Once we've perfected it, we will release it and be sure to notify you!
Same here, I have a RV with a similar setup and being able to remote start the generator without going outside and letting in mosquitoes is a big must for me. I would love a smaller generator like one of these as the 5000W inverter I currently have is too big for what I need but can't find smaller units like these with remote electric start.
Ive watched so many of your videos being a new sub and you would think theres nothing much more to learn and you always surprise me with something new I didn't know and I appreciate the knowledge. Thank you!!
I love the feature of auto-switching between vapor type fuel to liquid...very good idea! For a second there I thought the fill jug spout was able to be detached and used for a drain tube...which would have been a clever feature. Using a Li-Ion battery for starting may be a problem if you are needing to use this generator in a cold environment...they really don't like the cold.
They work fine in cold, charging is another matter. No charging below 0C or lithium plating will occur and the battery will destroy itself. I hope there is temperature sensing in the battery and it protects itself.
@@ErayakPowerSolutionThe battery is so small that possibly an easily accessible access panel could be employed to allow easy battery removal for storage plus checking engine oil as previously stated.
I use a Victron 30A auto transformer on my 240v ac eg4-6000xp inverter with a 120v ac Honda 3000is. I have it connected to the generator port on the inverter so I can convert 120v ac from the Honda to 240v ac input required in the gen port of the inverter. Works great and is a safer way to connect a 120v generator to a 240v system. I think they make a 100A version but my Honda will never get beyond 25A so a 30A auto transformer works for my off grid setup.
The small issue i noticed is that there are no stops or indents to easily know when to stop to drain the carb. In the video it was 7 minutes and the engine was still running as the position you placed the switch at. I know, minor quibble. Great video and very nice machines.
I was waiting for it to run out of fuel, but it never did. That trick did not work on this machine. But as someone else pointed out, you could also close the fuel tank vent cap to run the carb dry. It will take longer, but it will work.
"I'm not an electrician" may be true but you are pretty darn smart !! I would not have considered the multi wire branch circuit issue, although they are less common on new construction. Some companies are working on series connectable machines. Also manufacturers should try to put the exhaust as high off the ground as possible.
"Genrator" LOL! But misspelling aside, it looks to be a nicely made little machine. That auto-change-over for the fuel source is really impressive. If you need uninterrupted or near-uninterrupted power, you can have several propane tanks standing by and switch them over while the genny runs on gasoline/petrol. For someone attempting to run a small server room, this genny could be a good backup to a UPS. The second generator is also good, although after experiencing electric start, I'd be reluctant to buy a pull-start-only machine now. For me, the slight hassle of having to start the engine every so often (I do it once a month) and run the engine to keep the battery charged is absolutely worth it. The convenience of being able to parallel two inverter machines is definitely an attraction, although I expect there must be a limit on how many generators you can chain together that way, just because the cables would eventually be unable to take the power you're attempting to draw. There's probably a built-in limit, such as the connectors being designed in such a way that it's not possible to connect more than 2 inverter generators. With how clean that oil was after the first couple of runs on both machines, I'm wondering if they haven't been run-in in the factory, the way vehicle engines are now routinely run-in in the factory before being installed in a vehicle.
Of course he can keep them! He puts a lot of work into these videos, I just assumed he keeps the generators. If you don’t like it, start your own UA-cam channel! BTW: Three things needed to phase ac generators together. Voltage, frequency, and phase angle must match. 30 years as an electric system operator for a large utility. Voltage and frequency are easy to measure at home. Phase angle, not so much!
I noticed it was very quiet cranking and wondered if it was using the generator/alternator to wind the engine over. Some hybrid EVs can often do the same, use the electric motor/generator, but can also have a standard starter as a backup.
Enjoyed a good review video been back and forth with deciding wether to keep the current 5000watt Coleman generator or to upgrade to a generac ? Wife and I are not in an immediate hurry to upgrade just asking around what’s the best company out there to go with ?
Good Show this morning Jim , excellent review on these small inverter gen sets , Looks like a great set up for a ham radio field day at a remote location very clean power with a excellent sine wave
Nice. I'm not a skeptic by nature, but the very clean break-in oil makes me wonder if the unit was checked and run and maybe tweaked before it was sent.
Or they automatically break in every unit before they send it? I know that's probably unlikely, but you never know until you ask. That would be my first question to the mfr.
Hello, each of our machines undergoes a start-up test, but a break-in period is still required. However, our generators have a much shorter break-in period compared to others.
seem to be decent quality machines, personally I would check the brand of spark plug and if it's not NGK that's what I use, my only question is the first machine is tuned for 59.9 hrz, what happens if the second one is 60 or 60.1 and you attempted to parallel, great video
I checked Amazon and the manual start sells for $999 which is a good price compared to Honda but can’t be shipped to California addresses at this time.
I saw a you tube on checking LP gas levels, it showed pouring hot water on the tank when it is in use and a frost line appears; their are sensors available also, some even to read remote as in a RV
Now this is a very very good video. I really enjoyed watching it. Very informative. What thing that I really comes to mind is that a generator is ok, but what do you do when the fuel runs out? This is not a generator issue but a fuel supply issue. After let us say 2 days, then what? You hope the gas stations are open. A generator, no matter what it runs on you always have to keep in the back of your head, fuel. As opposed to sun, wind or water. Just a thought!!
hi james, been watching your videos for a few years and conceder you to be one of the best portable generator channels on youtube. see you next Thursday👍
That is cool. Wish they had more options like this back three years ago when I purchased my harbor freight predator 3500. They do sell trifle kits. I can put on it but they are kind of expensive for the good ones anyway that I got a cheaper machine, I changed my oil four times within the first 30 hours then after that, I’ve just been doing every hundred hours which is what’s recommended in the manual that oil definitely came out way cleaner than mine. The first couple of times mine was pretty dirty.
The company took a big risk getting james to review these especially if they are made in China. James is straight and honest. If he found they didnt meet the published specifications he would NOT have passed them so all credit to him for doing this. Thank you James.
I just make them all angry, but they still offer stuff to me and my channel since I do videos for 15 years now, I think I am in the 20 million views on my channel. I refuse free, will do it for a huge 50, 60, 75% off $$ coupon but no way for free. I get about 40 offers a week to promote all kinds of stuff on my channel, so I may make a discount deal or 2 on a few items if I have the money to do it. You know what is junk when they won't make a deal where they can not dictate the video. 90% of You Tubers who get free stuff are just full of it. Total shills, The list is huge. They get cash and 100% free and I just can not do that, self respect I guess. James will not "tow the line" for them either. I bash what's junk since I got skin $$ in the game, and I show what works as well, how to modify it, fix it, use it. But NEVER allow them to send you something for free, then they own you! No Way!
We believe that James can help us identify areas for improvement in our machines, allowing us to optimize them. Our engineers also appreciate James’s videos and recognize his expertise.
@@JOHNDANIEL1 I live in my van and need to get some free stuff
@@ErayakPowerSolution I have to upload a video on the 4500 model I have, didn't get a electric start or dual inverter set up. Plenty of footage video on it already but my being home more than a few hours a day may help LOL!
But, credit is due to you guys. I have torture tested mine and If a issue is found, you do listen and deal with it. Probably why your inverters and generators are so effective. But like James said, you seriously need to make the valve cover easier to service. Now I just have to hope you make a diesel inverter model, put me on the list and be sure they can exceed 5000 watts.
Absolutely the very best small engine channel on UA-cam!
Ditto
I’m subscribed to almost 50 small engine channels and notified on 20, with over 5K hours on UA-cam in 3 years and James Condon is right at the top of my list.
I started watching your videos a week or so ago and now I cant stop fixing generators! Fixed up an old Coleman Powermate 2250 and a Generac GP5500 over the last few days, neither ran beforehand. I wouldn't have been able to do it without your videos, thank you!
They’ve picked the best person I know to do a review. Nice machines
Possible they sent him a couple of " ringers " .
@@kaboom4679 these are commodity generators. they are sold under 100's of brand names. they work just fine.
@@kaboom4679 it’s a possibility but I doubt it.
This guy's pretty good but have you seen project farm? He reviews everything and pays out of pocket for everything.
@@freevipservers I get tons of offers for free stuff, and most all offer cash too. I refuse the free thing and will only take something if I pay something. Normally I pay shipping if its a really cheap item or tell them to send me a 75% off code to buy it ( most common ) for something like this generator.
They sent me a 60% off so I paid $203 for the 4500 manual one I got now, and the 2400 watt I paid over $200 since they only agreed to a 50% off. This way I do not have to accept their rules, time plan, or a script on it. AND MOST IMPORTANT I can hack it, modify it and change it. And as you can see on my channel, if it sucks, since I got skin in the game and can say it sucks or needs XYZ done to make it ok, which I have done often! For that I do get lots less offers now, but I really do not even like making videos anymore and with over 500 on my channel I just get tired of even being on the system. If it was not for so many people getting scammed by AI and Professional YOU TUBE promoters I would just do videos on watching paint dry!
Good show on the machines though, they are decent quality. And if your wondering why they are 3500 watts with clamed 150cc it's because they are really 194cc 4.75 horse GHI made clone foreign market only Kawasaki FJ KAI-190 engines.
James is straight and honest.
Over the years, I have learned to trust him because he reports the things he likes, the things he doesn't like, and the things that each brand should improve. That's why I have been supporting him, learning, and watching his videos for many years.👍
James is a very honest gentleman
ERAYAK were confident they had a good product and sent it to the most rigorous tester in the game. Smart marketing move. If they follow this up and offer to put your name on either this or any other model that may be even smarter. As far as I'm concerned you have earned that level of recognition. Their move.
Thanks for your advice!
I have never hear of this company before. But for a company to send out one of their products to be independently tested and reviewed is proof they are willing to stand behind their product. What was really amazing they sent him a second generator so he could test the parallel feature of the generators. What got me was the second generator started on the first pull of the cord. I have a Champion 6250 inverter and out of the box and every time I started it. It would take several pulls of the cord. Until recently after I changed out the spark plug to an NGK. It now starts on the first pull. I think the Torch spark plug that a lot of these generators come through with aren't hot enough for initial start. But for the a review to only come up with one bad feature such as the fuel shut off. Which I beleive the company will rectify in no time. These machines appear to be flawless. Thank you James for such an amazing open review.
I would never say they are flawless, but they did what the manufacturer claimed.
While we are a new brand, we are an experienced manufacturing factory. Unlike a trading company, we produce our generators directly and actively incorporate feedback from James to improve our products.
@@ErayakPowerSolution Still awaiting your 5000 watt power inverters to come out. Lets make a deal on one, let us all know!
@@ErayakPowerSolution Are these same inverters sold with other branding? Some look very similar.
@@captandysir8670 We also sell self-developed and self-produced inverters, which have received high praise from evaluation bloggers.
That is an impressive setup, especially the 2 in parallel. I was curious to see if the sine wave was any different with them in parallel. Probably not, but would have been interesting to check. Also, when load testing with lights and space heaters, you could always check the amps you are pulling, multiply it by the voltage readout on the killawatt and you will have the exact wattage. I have a short cord with separated wires so I can clip an amp meter around one leg of the cord to measure whatever is plugged into it. Thanks for the video!
For the past 3 months I have been using the ERAYAK 3000 Watt Pure Sine Wave inverter using a 230 amp-hr Li Time LiFeP04 battery running an 1800 Watt microwave every day without any issues. It's been great so far, pulling a heavy inductive load. The AC voltage under load is 118.4 VAC, with a perfect 60 hertz measured output.
I was watching some of your historical videos the other day and it came to my mind that your working & video production conditions really did improve when you acquired that hoist. No more bending, stooping or crawling around on the floor. 👍
Very interesting post today, they’re all interesting 😂.
I did my electrical fitting trade back in the early 70s majoring in HV reticulation and HV DC rectification, the moved on to generation and finished my working life at a unit controller, controlling 660MW units. When bringing a rotary converter on line you had a 50/50 chance of getting it right only using phase lights, and didn’t the play up if you missed it 😂. In power generation I started with 2X 15MW Units feed by 2 stoker boilers. That was a great job, thoroughly enjoyed the place. Moved on to 500MW units, their boilers were of fired, forced circulation boilers, then moved to the 660MW units fed by of fired natural circulation boilers. Retired in 2k, and I miss them to this day.
On shift I loved getting my junior guys to monitor my boards and controls whilst I did a walk round the boiler and turbine and listen for Abnormal noises and a that talk to various parts. This sounds crazy, but knowing the plant as I did, well, it was like your car, any abnormal noise can be heard and analysed quickly.
Some of your viewers may be surprised to hear that the airspace within the generator (really an alternator) airspace, around the rotor and windings is actually filled with hydrogen (99.9% pure) to reduce windage friction and aid cooling.
Had some butt puckering moments over the years, but I’ve never lost my love and respect for those beautiful machines.
Thank you for doing what you do, and particularly for today. When you brought up the parallel operation I nearly fell over, and remembered the day we were returning a 500MW unit to service after a major overhaul including controls. Unfortunately the technicians had wrongly wired the synchroscope wrong, everything looked and worked as it should, but when I closed the main 23kv breaker the turbine and generator nearly danced across the operating floor! You’ve never seen so many university educated engineers nearly faint at the same time 😂😂😂, dopey buggers. Any way, this held the unit out for another week while everything was checked and mistakes rectified.
Cheers to you and have a great day.
Nice video the brake in oil looked a lot better then my champion 2500 changed it 3 times in 6 hours of run time before it looked good have a 93 honda ex1000 bought new still runs perfect
Great video review! It's amazing how many new inverter gens keep coming to the market. The competition is huge now, which is a good thing for innovation, and price. These high-power density suitcase units have come such a long way in the last 2-3 years, it's amazing!
That’s why we rely on James to test for product flaws, so we can optimize our products and stay competitive in the market!
Nice machines. One possible improvement for the all-in-one fuel + ignition control could be adding a dented "stop" position before the end of travel toward the "stop". So it would have 4 positions: START (choke on), RUN (choke off), STOP (fuel cutoff only) and KILL (fuel & ignition off).
Definitely. Having people guess on these things seems weird.
Also, it's weird that the actual run position is between RUN and STOP.
some questions came to mind:
1. can you run carburator dry by running on propane for a few minutes ?
2. can you run carb dry by closing vent cap ?
3. is there a low oil level auto-shutoff ?
4. does the inverter (power electronics) have over temperature shutdown in the event ventilation is partially blocked ?
Good questions.
When I saw the beginning of this video I was worried James had become a shill. After his clarification, I'd say this was the most honest way of reviewing a product. Well done James.
This video is just like every video seen on "Project Farm" where Todd tests/reviews everything from hand tools to work boots without sponsorship.
@@DanKoning777 I agree with you but Todd often discloses purchasing products with his own money. This arrangement was a bit different as the generator was provided free of charge.
@@jeremymcauliff8485 // It's all good-I was merely addressing re: "...this was the most honest way of reviewing a product" vs having ERAYAK as a sponsor of his channel. I agree-Todd does plainly state that he purchases what he tests/reviews.
@@DanKoning777 Except on Project Farm he buys them with his own money...and usually destroys them too!
@@ammocraft😅😅😅😅😅😅
At 70 years old I cannot afford any generator. After losing power all last year my husband and I froze. We had 2 portable heaters but could not use them either because our house is electric. I called so many companies and senior help lines and was amazed no one could help us. Talk about frustration and hardship. My husband recovering from cancer did not help our situation. Thanks for your reviews. I am trying to learn about necessary devices.
I really love these “suitcase generators”. I have the Ryobi RYi2300 and it is so easy to transport.
James, you mentioned you're not an electrician but you're so well versed in so many things. Would you mind sharing next video your professional background and experience? It would be interesting to learn a bit more about you
Regarding oil and non-filtered engines: I have heard that detergent oils keep particles suspended so that the oil filter can trap them. Non-detergent oils let the particles settle out. You would think this is bad (sludge), but a well-designed small engine will have a good sump that lets any abrasive grit settle out instead of being splashed back into your rotating assembly.
@@matthewjuhlin4628 All true, but can you even get non-detergent oil? Thought that ended in the early 1960s 🙂
@@generessler6282They should still be a thing but not as common anymore. I think most non-detergent oils you could find are specialised for pumps. Machines like pressure washer pumps, air compressors and hydraulic pumps need non-detergent oil since the detergents in motor oil can kill these machines.
Way back when, I was in the Navy and when loading a generator, we were taught to adjust voltage to get the synch scope rotating slowly in the clockwise direction and then close the breaker at 5 of. I then went on to work at a cogen producing approximately 100 MW and steam to a factory. Again, we all closed breakers manually. Late one night shift, I was looking at the control panels for each generator and saw this push button labeled "AUTO-SYNCH". I asked a guy that had been there since commissioning what that was for and he told me that it would synch and close the breaker automatically. I asked him if it worked and he told me that it did during the testing they did at commissioning but no one he knew off used them since then. We always did it manually.
I just happened to buy an Arayak generator for the trifuel feature. I haven't even put oil in it yet. This is the best intro to using this machine you could get. The instruction manuel is very limited. I find this to be the perfect camper ot camping generator. Or for short-term home emergency with the natural gas feature. Thanks, perfect review. FYI, I purchased the no electric start machine. It does not come with wheel accessories.
Great video and teaching as always! As for the line 1 and 2 being connected with the parallel kit, that is very common for RV's. A 50amp "240v" service goes into the distribution panel but separates both legs as 2 separate 120v lines. There is no 240 appliance in an RV, unless there was something custom made or modified.
ahhh.. that explains it. This is designed for RV usage, not home.
This is one of the first generator reviews that I have seen that has been performed by a small engine mechanic! You did a excellent job talking about the difference between the 2 fuels. That is something that most home owners overlook.
Another thing to look at is altitude. My 22KW whole house generator drops by 3.5% for every 1000 feet above sea level. I'm at 2300 feet so I loose 7%. Just something else to keep in mind and why they tell you to read the entire manual!
1] Based on how well these generators performed and the fact that ERAYAK chose James to test/review their product, it's clear they think before making a decision.
2] IF there was a feature I'd like to see on these units it would be an "Auto Throttle" which mine has. Makes them quiet(er), and more fuel efficient.
3] You must have great neighbors James. Great video as always. 👍👍👍
I don't know exactly how these models are set-up but most (I think) inverter versions will auto throttle down because they don't have to keep the speed constant in order to keep the frequency stable. The RPM just determines the current output. it might just be how far the manufacturer sets it up to idle back at low to no load.
One thing I DON'T like about this brand is having to take a panel off to check the oil. That's the FIRST thing done to a generator here before even gassing it up. We ran our old 96 model Coleman 5K for FOUR days during this storm with a 10 horse I/C Briggs with NO issues pulling 2 fridges and a freezer with chargers for batteries and a 220 well pump. It had been sitting idle for over 3 years before this and popped 2ice and RAN! Now the gas is drained, ran dry and oil changed waiting on the next one. It was 2nd hand when I got it in 02 and does a fine job every time it's been call on. An inverter would be nice but sure isn't necessary. Not here in the hills, anyway. You do a FINE job. Keep after it and God BlessYall!
All investor suitcase generators have convert you have top take off to check oil. It's not hard to do that.
@@Asidebar Not ME, pal. Mine is in the open on both sides.
Wow that automatic switching to propane and back when low on pressure is a killing feature, I loved it!❤
I'm glad this wasn't a direct endorsement... this was a straight up "independent test".... and I'm cool with that.
I noticed the Hertz never changed @ 59.9 Hz 👍 Also I'm always impressed with the mathematical way you go about repairs and testing!
It's an inverter type, the frequency is ultimately derived from a crystal oscillator. If you push it hard enough the voltage can reduce / waveform become mangled / it drops the load depending on the program running it all.
@@retrozmachine1189 - I would use a Micro Controller to control the hardware taking care of the heavy lifting. If that makes since.
@@tubeDude48 Certainly, there are even microcontrollers specifically intended for the job but ultimately the behaviour comes down to what the program tells it to do.
Hi James,
I just wanted to reach out to express my sincere gratitude for all you do. You take the time and care to articulate everything so clearly and concisely, and I've gained a tremendous amount from your videos. I watch them frequently-probably more often than my fiancée would prefer, but the insights are invaluable!
I'm working with a Generac generator (22,500 W starting, 15,000 W running) and am interested in safely hooking it up to power my home. My home runs entirely on electric, including an LG HVAC system and two instant hot water heaters. Living in a rural part of New Jersey, reliable backup power is essential to keep my family comfortable during outages.
I do have some concerns about "dirty" power, but I understand this generator model includes a voltage regulator and has two cylinders. While I’m not well-versed in mechanics, it seems from your videos that this setup generally provides fairly clean power with low total harmonic distortion (THD). I’m curious to know how I might measure THD accurately and safely. I have a voltmeter similar to yours-the one with the top red and yellow clips-but I’m unsure where to place the probes and which settings to use to read THD correctly. I want to avoid any missteps, so any guidance would be appreciated.
Another question: would you recommend a transfer switch, or is it safe and effective to use a standard receptacle with an interlock device? I’m looking for a cost-effective solution, so avoiding the need for an additional independent fuse panel would be ideal. I’ve also done some research on soft starters for my HVAC system, which I understand may help extend its lifespan, though I’m not certain if it’s necessary.
Lastly, I’ve purchased surge protectors (one from Tripp Lite and an RV-specific model) to plug into the generator before connecting my 50-amp cable, as an added precaution. ChatGPT suggested this was a prudent measure, but I’d be interested in your thoughts.
I’d be thrilled to have the chance to meet you and even have you look over my generator if you’re close enough to New Jersey. If you’re open to it, I’d be happy to compensate you for a carburetor cleaning, and I think it could make a great video for your channel, especially since you’ve mentioned an interest in larger machines. I’d love to see if my model makes your top-five list!
Thank you again for everything-I truly value your videos and the wealth of knowledge you share. You’ve inspired me to approach projects with greater care and attention to detail, and for that, I’m extremely grateful.
Best regards,
Michael
Really enjoy all your videos. You speak clearly and concisely. Very methodical, and eadsy to understand. Thank you!
Great video! So great that Amazon is using it to promote the generator on their site!
To run the carb dry, you could simply close the tank vent until the engine dies then simply shut off the main on/off switch.
I'm impressed with how they held 59.9 Hz no matter what the load was. I was surprised of the competitive pricing of their generators. Never heard of them before but very impressed with them... Good review Jim!
The frequency of inverter generators does not depend on the load. The sine wave is generated by a microcontroller and depends only on the stability of its clock frequency.
@@1mrstench Also the nice feature of inverter generators is that they will throttle down based on a light load or no load and still keep the voltage and Hz constant.
First, a great video, and thank you. Second, this may help someone else who may be out there with a dual-fuel Champion 2500 watt machine like I have... I have modified my setup to run from the propane tanks on my camper, through an auxiliary propane port. This makes the length of the propane line to the generator much longer than it is with the stock setup (which is only a couple feet). As a result, starting it on propane is quite hard. BUT, I have learned that I can start the machine on gasoline first, then plug the proprietary propane quick connect into the generator and change the control knob to propane and it will stumble for a split second, and continue on propane instead of gasoline. I much prefer running on propane, as it burns much cleaner and a spark plug will last almost forever. Oil stays much cleaner also. Hope this helps someone...
Demand regulator needs to be within 2 ft to sense engine vacuum.
@@jerryconrad5251 Yes, but the point I was trying to make is that you can switch to propane easily after starting on gasoline. Starting directly on propane can be problematic, at least that's what I've found.
James thanks for your videos. You helped me clean metal gas tank and peacock . Now getting gas to carb. Not bad for a 78 year old dog! Thanks again.
Your "house wiring" with a gen, is spot-on accurate, regarding the feeding of a 120/240V panel with a single 120V jumped to both legs and overloading the neutral. This should probably be left to someone who has a strong working understanding of Ohm's Law, Electrical wiring, and the exact loads within their house, that they wish to use. Very, very good discussion that you give on this.
Thanks
So don’t most people only parallel for use connecting to their home? If you can’t do it what other use would it have?
@@livingsurvival, many use parallel gensets for running large RVs with 2 or more AC units and large refrigerators. Those RVs use 240v 50 amp plugs, but they don't wire anything for 240v. Everything is wired as 120v using the 2 legs separately.
Something very interesting i noticed at 18:47 when you first started it, is the sound (or lack thereof) it made. It appears that this does not use a seperate starter motor to turn the engine over. Instead, it uses the stator that normally produces the electricity, in reverse, as a brushless motor to get the engine to turn over, which is really clever.
You are really very professional! We did use a brushless motor.
I like how they are using the generator head to start since it is a 3-phase head like how the hybrid cars like Toyotas use the motor/generator in the transaxle to start their engines and adjust gear ratios.
This may be the best money they spend on advertising, just a cost off generator. You have me convinced to buy this brand. the capability to run on NG is great.
We are very grateful to James for publishing such an excellent video. Our primary goal was to identify any shortcomings in the machine so we can optimize the generator.
@@ErayakPowerSolution Thanks for reply.
I'm not surprised that generators manufacturers turn up to you to make reviews of their products. You're the reference in the matter. (The Kipor works great) 😁😁😁
Excellent review and thorough demonstration! I look forward to seeing your discussion on using natural gas too! I was curious about the battery charging while the machine runs so I contacted the Erayak Co. (which was very responsive, returned my emails within hours!) . They said "the generator is designed to automatically recharge the battery while it is running, so there's no need for manual recharging. In case the electric start fails due to a low battery, you can simply use the manual pull start to get the generator running, and it will then begin to recharge the battery on its own." Another great feature!
Great review. On the parallel connectivity, hope that you can check phase on both legs. It is very simple to flip an ac phase 180º : you only need to run a single 120v leg through a 1:1 transformer. The transformer output coil is just reverse wound from the input coil. All your warnings and caveats apply, of course, but it would be really good if an inverter-gernerator parallel set up would do that automatically.
I'm sure you know why these don't do that: cost. The multi-kilowatt transformer you'd need is expensive. Also heavy.
Best channel on UA-cam 👍🏻
So true!!
James is Must See TV
I suppose someone's already mentioned this, but you answered your own question. When you said close the vent valve on the gas tank. The carburetor will starve for fuel. Then you can literally run the carburetor out of gas. Let me know if I'm wrong. I work on Standby generator systems and I enjoy watching you work on these ones.
I can’t believe someone finally beat Honda at the inverter generator game they created decades ago. Although who knows how long the engine will last on these units which is a major Honda quality feature. I noticed both generators misspelled generator on the covers. Never heard of Erayak. I own a Honda EU2000i and a EU3000i. Can hardly believe Erayak made a generator that has a higher rating than the EU3000i and is much smaller and lighter and both are electric start… amazing.
Honda's have a bigger displacement motor for a given size inverter generator. This helps the Honda make less noise at lower engine speed, while still having enough horsepower to turn the generator load. But trade off is this lower speed makes for a heavier unit. Both motor, and generator head.
@@geoffmolyneux9173 The Hondas I have are quieter than these ones.
We sincerely apologize for the mistake. This is a sample machine we provided to James for testing, and there was an oversight in the sticker approval process. We have already corrected this issue in the first batch of production units.
Looks like a nice machine, with some very nice features, plus, very nice stable voltage output.
My only concern with machines that come from China, are longevity and spare parts availability.
Your concerns are reasonable. We are a new brand, and we are working hard to ensure every step meets customer satisfaction. It will take time for our after-sales service to prove itself, but we are doing our best.
Yes you are absolutely correct about L1 and L2 being fed from the same leg. It could overload the neutral in 3 wire circuits. I think there maybe an issue with certification/approvals with these parallel kits. At least in Canada, splayed cables are generally not approved either.
Brilliant video, Jim. They are an awesome brand. I have a few of their 12v 2kw inverters in my van. So reliable and well made. They were smart to find the best person to review generators.
It looks like they are made under licence and possibly the same as the Champion Mighty Atom as they share some noticeable components
Regarding using the generator-windings to start the engine.... My 1960's Yamaha motorcycle had electric start which used the generator windings to crank the engine. (It was a 180cc twin-cylinder 2-stroke.)
Your review definitely has me thinking of purchasing one of these generators. Not that I'm a big user of propane or LPN, but I DO have 60 pounds of it along on camping trips to locations without power. I use my Honda EU2200i in those off-grid locations. This three-fuel generator is about the same price as my Honda, AND it provides more power.
The Honda's enough for my needs, but definitely requires I turn off the air conditioner in the camper before my wife starts up her hair dryer, or before I turn on the microwave oven. It's easy to do, but . . . if a quiet, slightly larger, inverter generator is available for the same, or better, price, why not go that path?
But speaking of quiet, the Honda's rated at 48 to 57 dB, quite a bit quieter than this generator at 71 dB--AND that being measured at 25 feet from the unit. We know that sound volume doubles with every 3 dB, and if we compare maximum sound output of 71 dB to 57 dB, a difference of 14 dB, and then think of how 3 dB is a doubling (or halving) of sound, this unit outputs nearly five times as much audible noise as the Honda EU2200i. Definitely a negative factor when I am in a campground with neighbors, or in an isolated area of the wilderness.
Have you done the dB test with the Honda EU2200i, at 25 feet? Honda measures their at 7m, or 23'. I thought I'd watched all your videos, but missed a measurement of the sound output of the Honda. I'd like to see your real-world measurement of it, to compare apples to apples.
I didn't see a two-position switch offering fuel savings & less noise, such as the one my Honda has. Instead, it appears this brand/model just ramps up the power & noise to match the demand. I've grown accustomed to the Honda switch. What's your take on the difference between the two--Honda's switch, Erayak's lack of one?
The electric start is a nice feature, especially when combined with the gravity feed fuel solution. There've been plenty of times I've had to pull as many as ten times to get my Honda started, after fuel was drained from the bowl. I like learning from you that filling the carburetor bowl is done naturally on this unit. And I like pulling fewer times--or ZERO times with an electric start!
I really appreciate your observations & caveats on the unit. One suggestion I'd offer to the manufacturer, beyond better audible noise damping, is simple cosmetics: the power/fuel rotator switch is black on a black background. I like my controls to be bright and obvious--especially on generators, where sometimes a choke control is black on a black engine, located underneath the fuel tank in the shadows--very hard to see! Making it white or red would be a simple change that would immediately direct my attention to something for which I'm looking.
Given the size and color AND PRICE of this unit are remarkably like the Honda EU2200i, it's obvious Erayak is targeting Honda, and perhaps Yamaha, for the lead in high end inverter generator sales. Same price, AND a tri-fuel option, while retaining the ability to pair with another generator to double the output if needed.
I notice Amazon sells the gasoline-only version, which is still a 3500/4500 Watt inverter generator, for $719. That's $231 less than my Honda was new. More incentive to buy this brand, if I don't mind almost five times as much noise. I predict Honda's going to sit up and take notice of this new product, and perhaps improve their generators or their price point--or both.
Honda does make the quietest inverter generator available. Not sure I have measured the sound output of a Honda. I did a review of another ERAYAK model a could years ago and I did compare the sound to a Yamaha EF2000i: ua-cam.com/video/vyfN8SAsixY/v-deo.html
Hello, regarding noise levels, I'd like to clarify: for a 2400W generator, we achieve sound levels between 52dB and 58dB, and for a 4500W generator, our range is 60.5dB to 70dB. Our noise-reduction technology rivals that of Honda. Thank you very much for considering our machines; currently, we are offering a 10% discount coupon for James's audience.
great review and testing , seeing how they run in parallel was an unexpected bonus , thanks
This was a perfect review of the things that matter. Thanks!
Its such a joy watching your videos, your knowhow and the way you present the how tos and explaining how things work is just mesmerizing . Big thumbs up , and I now know a lot more about small engines, been servicing my snow blower (it needed it) thanks a bunch👍
This was a great review. Thanks for spending the time with the features and load testing. The sound levels are higher than I would expect, but I like the tri-fuel option. It doesn't look like they have any 240V models on their website, so not a great solution for home backup. If they come out with a 240V model, you should review that as well...
There is only a very small handful of you tuber reviews that I will trust and James you are one of those,Chinese English or German made I'm sure you will give us good or bad regardless. Thanks.
I thoroughly enjoyed this review! I would be happy to see you do a few generator reviews mixed in with your repair videos. I definitely appreciate your insight. One thing I would like to see is a comment on parts availability should these brands discontinue the models. For example is the engine a clone from another well known manufacturer?
Hello,
Our company's maintenance of a model is not just for a short period of time, we update each model's product and provide accessories over a long period of time.
Thanks for the great review. Would have liked to see a 240v test.
Looks like a great camping generator for sure.
I don't know a damn thing about generators because living in England we have a pretty good and consistent power grid here. But I find your videos are a great source of information for those people who have to use generators. Very good information and helpful way of getting it to people, keep it up.
invacar!
GREAT review. Longevity is difficult to evaluate in a few hours but track records of another brand by many many users over thousands of run hours leads me to spend a little more for a proven brand. Parts availability and service is also a factor.
Your concerns are valid. We are a new brand, and we are committed to doing everything right to ensure customer satisfaction. After-sales service will take time to prove its quality, but we are doing our best.
@@ErayakPowerSolutionWhere would a buyer find qualified service tech for your generators. ?
I am shocked that this generator met it's rating as most Chinese manufacturers grossly exaggerate their rated specifications. Very interesting video.
I only run my Maxpeedingrods inverter generator on Propane. Clean and never goes bad
you nailed it James...honor and integrity
Thanks, James! We NEED more Made in USA stuff. A GenRator of Americans chose CHEAP over Quality. Maybe things are going to change. That 'ole leaf blower, once "restored," was totally awesome!!
I enjoy very much watching you work on the machines, but this was a pleasant change for something different. Perhaps the first real product review on the channel? I've not seen all the past videos but have seen many and don't recall seeing a full product review until today. 👌
That looks like a very impressive product. If not for you, I would have never seen it and its quality and potential uses. That seems like a smart use of ERAYAK's promotional budget. Hopefully you will keep us updated about the unit's dependability and durability, long term.
Great video mate. I have a MaxWatt generator (2 of them) and they are absolutely amazing. The paralleling feature is phenomenal. Thank you for a comprehensive video.
James, I ran Royal Purple break in oil for the prescribed period in my new Predator 5000 InvGen, and will be changing it to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum synthetic. The HF Pred 5000 is also going to be 800 soon as a Blk Fri special.
This is my fav. YT channel. Very informative. Thank you James for sharing to us your knowledge.
"Trifuel Inverter GenRATOR"??? (printed sign on side of unit). Deliberate mis-spelling or lost-in-translation? Makes a significant point about the source and, potentially, reliability.
haha was hoping someone else caught that.
China LEKTRITCY VERY BEST GOOD ENIGNE POWAR
Actually they're alternators, but nobody calls them that. Does that make all the manufacturers and brands suspect to you? I think your tinfoil is expired and you need to change your hat🤣
We sincerely apologize for the mistake. This is a sample machine we provided to James for testing, and there was an oversight in the sticker approval process. We have already corrected this issue in the first batch of production units.
@@ErayakPowerSolution Thank you for your attention. It's the 'small details' that often make the difference.
Hi James. I believe when you parallel two inverters the limit is 99% of the combined running watts of the two machines. At least that is what the Maxpeedingrods manual says.
I really like this generator. I currently use a Champion 4500W inverter to charge the lithium battery bank in my converted cargo trailer/camper, and it works great! But it's more than twice as heavy as this one being tested, and much larger. At 3500 running watts, it's also got well over twice the capacity I need to charge my batteries! However, it has one feature I can't find on these smaller generators, and that's REMOTE electric start. I know it's a minor gripe, but when it's freezing outside and I need to start the generator, it's nice to be able to push a button without getting out of my sleeping bag. If this one had remote start, I'd be a buyer in a heartbeat.
We have also explored remote start technology, but we found it to be prone to malfunction. Once we've perfected it, we will release it and be sure to notify you!
Same here, I have a RV with a similar setup and being able to remote start the generator without going outside and letting in mosquitoes is a big must for me. I would love a smaller generator like one of these as the 5000W inverter I currently have is too big for what I need but can't find smaller units like these with remote electric start.
Great video, I m thinking I may buy one of the open frame inverter generators since they should be easier to service. This looks like a nice unit
Ive watched so many of your videos being a new sub and you would think theres nothing much more to learn and you always surprise me with something new I didn't know and I appreciate the knowledge. Thank you!!
A brilliant little Invertor Generator, nicely put through it's paces. Thanks for sharing.
I love the feature of auto-switching between vapor type fuel to liquid...very good idea!
For a second there I thought the fill jug spout was able to be detached and used for a drain tube...which would have been a clever feature.
Using a Li-Ion battery for starting may be a problem if you are needing to use this generator in a cold environment...they really don't like the cold.
They work fine in cold, charging is another matter. No charging below 0C or lithium plating will occur and the battery will destroy itself. I hope there is temperature sensing in the battery and it protects itself.
Your concern is very valid, and I have noted it down. I'll have our engineers work on optimizing it!
@@ErayakPowerSolutionThe battery is so small that possibly an easily accessible access panel could be employed to allow easy battery removal for storage plus checking engine oil as previously stated.
I use a Victron 30A auto transformer on my 240v ac eg4-6000xp inverter with a 120v ac Honda 3000is. I have it connected to the generator port on the inverter so I can convert 120v ac from the Honda to 240v ac input required in the gen port of the inverter. Works great and is a safer way to connect a 120v generator to a 240v system. I think they make a 100A version but my Honda will never get beyond 25A so a 30A auto transformer works for my off grid setup.
Well...this convinced me to maintain my super old generator and probably look into a newer TriFuel invertor for backup!! Great video!!
Glad to hear that. If you buy it, pls contact for a gift!
The small issue i noticed is that there are no stops or indents to easily know when to stop to drain the carb. In the video it was 7 minutes and the engine was still running as the position you placed the switch at. I know, minor quibble. Great video and very nice machines.
I was waiting for it to run out of fuel, but it never did. That trick did not work on this machine. But as someone else pointed out, you could also close the fuel tank vent cap to run the carb dry. It will take longer, but it will work.
@jcondon1 good point. I hope all is well with you and the family. Maya is getting better everyday.
@@jcondon1 The minute you pointed out the fuel vent shutoff that was my first thought.
"I'm not an electrician" may be true but you are pretty darn smart !! I would not have considered the multi wire branch circuit issue, although they are less common on new construction. Some companies are working on series connectable machines. Also manufacturers should try to put the exhaust as high off the ground as possible.
Another day another video from James... great morning to wake up
"Genrator" LOL! But misspelling aside, it looks to be a nicely made little machine. That auto-change-over for the fuel source is really impressive. If you need uninterrupted or near-uninterrupted power, you can have several propane tanks standing by and switch them over while the genny runs on gasoline/petrol. For someone attempting to run a small server room, this genny could be a good backup to a UPS.
The second generator is also good, although after experiencing electric start, I'd be reluctant to buy a pull-start-only machine now. For me, the slight hassle of having to start the engine every so often (I do it once a month) and run the engine to keep the battery charged is absolutely worth it.
The convenience of being able to parallel two inverter machines is definitely an attraction, although I expect there must be a limit on how many generators you can chain together that way, just because the cables would eventually be unable to take the power you're attempting to draw. There's probably a built-in limit, such as the connectors being designed in such a way that it's not possible to connect more than 2 inverter generators.
With how clean that oil was after the first couple of runs on both machines, I'm wondering if they haven't been run-in in the factory, the way vehicle engines are now routinely run-in in the factory before being installed in a vehicle.
It needs separate controls for ignition, fuel, and choke. It also needs a place on the machine to store the accessories.
Of course he can keep them! He puts a lot of work into these videos, I just assumed he keeps the generators. If you don’t like it, start your own UA-cam channel!
BTW: Three things needed to phase ac generators together. Voltage, frequency, and phase angle must match. 30 years as an electric system operator for a large utility. Voltage and frequency are easy to measure at home. Phase angle, not so much!
Now that is how one does a quality review, excellent job and I dare say, an excellent generator... thx!
Great product test, they couldn’t find a better tester!
I noticed it was very quiet cranking and wondered if it was using the generator/alternator to wind the engine over. Some hybrid EVs can often do the same, use the electric motor/generator, but can also have a standard starter as a backup.
Enjoyed a good review video been back and forth with deciding wether to keep the current 5000watt Coleman generator or to upgrade to a generac ? Wife and I are not in an immediate hurry to upgrade just asking around what’s the best company out there to go with ?
Thursday is the Friday of my work week. Always fun to start my weekend with a pipe of tobacco and a JC vid.
Good Show this morning Jim , excellent review on these small inverter gen sets , Looks like a great set up for a ham radio field day at a remote location very clean power with a excellent sine wave
Nice. I'm not a skeptic by nature, but the very clean break-in oil makes me wonder if the unit was checked and run and maybe tweaked before it was sent.
Or they automatically break in every unit before they send it? I know that's probably unlikely, but you never know until you ask. That would be my first question to the mfr.
@@Rein_Ciarfella Sure. Of course possible. But for $850, doesn't seem likely.
Hello, each of our machines undergoes a start-up test, but a break-in period is still required. However, our generators have a much shorter break-in period compared to others.
I wanted you to put a clamp meter on each leg at the front of each genny to measure the amps. Just to know how close to the edge we were pushing it.
seem to be decent quality machines, personally I would check the brand of spark plug and if it's not NGK that's what I use, my only question is the first machine is tuned for 59.9 hrz, what happens if the second one is 60 or 60.1 and you attempted to parallel, great video
This machine really peaks my interest.
I checked Amazon and the manual start sells for $999 which is a good price compared to Honda but can’t be shipped to California addresses at this time.
I saw a you tube on checking LP gas levels, it showed pouring hot water on the tank when it is in use and a frost line appears; their are sensors available also, some even to read remote as in a RV
Now this is a very very good video. I really enjoyed watching it. Very informative. What thing that I really comes to mind
is that a generator is ok, but what do you do when the fuel runs out? This is not a generator issue but a fuel supply issue.
After let us say 2 days, then what? You hope the gas stations are open. A generator, no matter what it runs on you always
have to keep in the back of your head, fuel. As opposed to sun, wind or water. Just a thought!!
hi james, been watching your videos for a few years and conceder you to be one of the best portable generator channels on youtube. see you next Thursday👍
That is cool. Wish they had more options like this back three years ago when I purchased my harbor freight predator 3500. They do sell trifle kits. I can put on it but they are kind of expensive for the good ones anyway that I got a cheaper machine, I changed my oil four times within the first 30 hours then after that, I’ve just been doing every hundred hours which is what’s recommended in the manual that oil definitely came out way cleaner than mine. The first couple of times mine was pretty dirty.