Backup Power: 9kW-ish Portable Invertors
Just a few days before Christmas 2021 we bought a Predator 9500 portable invertor generator. Back then, it was one of the first of a new generation of inverters delivering 7,500 watts continuous power, with 9,500 watts peak.
The Predator brand is sold by Harbor Freight. The 9500 model was introduced in 2020 at $1899. Demand was strong, and they were in short supply for a long while. By the time supply was improved the list price had gone up to $2399. It has since gone to $2499, but you can still get them for less during special promotions. We managed to get ours using a last-minute pre-Christmas coupon good for a discount of 25%!
Over time, similar models have emerged from several other companies like Genmax and DuroMax. It’s quite apparent that these are all made by the same manufacturer. They vary only a little in specific features and the color of the plastics.
Not long ago, Gavin’s Garage offered an unboxing video of the Pulsar PGD95BISCO Super Quite Dual Fuel 9500W Home Use Backup Portable Inverter Generator.
This new model is strikingly similar to our Predator, but with a handful of differences:
- Dual-fuel operation
- 30A and 50A connectors
- A built-in display of voltage and load
- A built-in oil filter
- Wireless remote starter
Dual Fuel
For some folks this might provide some added flexibility. While running LPG delivers less power than gasoline, the ability to connect a large LPG tank might allow longer runtimes.
50A Connector
The NEMA 14-50 connector is commonly used when fitting a house for backup power from a portable generator. This generator can’t deliver 50A @ 240 VAC (12 kW) but using this kind of connection ensures the house will have access to every last Watt the generator can deliver.
In our case, using a NEMA L15-30 connector, the power available to the house is limited to 30A @ 240VAC. That’s 7200 Watts, just below the rated continuous output of the Predator. That leaves a little power left to run to the garage apartment/office, for our network core.
In an overload situation, we know for sure that the 30A breaker on the generator will trip before anything else.
Voltage & Load Display
This is very nice to have. It means no need to provide any additional instrumentation. Our Predator displays only running hours. As was detailed previously, we installed a Shelly 3EM load sensor to have awareness of the load presented to the generator.
Oil Filter
According Gavin, this new model a has a small, built-in, oil filter. That’s potentially a big improvement over the older variants. These 458cc engines don’t have a sophisticated approach to lubrication. The manufacturer recommends oil changes often enough that oil filtering is not thought to be a requirement.
This betrays the fact that these invertors are not intended for continuous use. Another YouTuber, who has an entirely off-the-grid lifestyle, has returned several Predators under warranty.
Cordless Remote
It was the experience of the Great Texas Freeze in February 2021 that inspired the purchase of our Predator. It might have been nice to be able stop/start the generator from inside the warm house. It’s surely not a critical feature, but it might be handy.
Price & Warranty
One of the nicer things about the Pulsar is that, despite having a few new features, it’s being offered at something close to original price of the earlier models. The manufacturer offers a “3 year limited warranty.” It’s not exactly clear how they would deal with a warranty issue.
Summary
We already own the Predator 9500. We’ve not had to use it seriously just yet, but we have exercised it, running our entire home for several hours. We’re due to go through that exercise again in the coming week or two.
If I didn’t already own the Predator I’d likely consider one of these newer variants. Gavin seems to get hands on all the variants for his channel.