Bed Power outlet

Agree the Honda’s have a good reputation. But overpriced is overpriced. I can get three higher rated inverter type gens with a two year warranty for the price of one Honda. So yeah I would go cheap if the reviews are good.
Each to their own though
I bought a Quinn socket wrench set at HF on sale at around $45-49, three drives, most sockets 6 point, that are as good as my Craftsman set. You have to read the reviews and inspect, they do have some good stuff as well as cheap Pittsburgh. Speaking of that on a lark I got a set of Pittsburgh three size channel lock pliers for like $7.99 the other day, look really nice. better than my old rusty brand name one lol.
I go for value.. not for cheap, not for the most expensive.

 

HF engines are OK, but are friggen loud then the gen burns up. So there goes your $500

 

Not trying to turn this into a Harbor Freight thread ... I have purchased things from them. But am careful what I buy. When I was restoring my Camaro, bought several “specialty” tools from them. Things that I would must likely use only a few times and not have much call from them after that. They did what they were designed to do. Harbor Freight deff has its place, tools that have to 100% relay on day in and day out to make a living, I might look at some more expensive opinions.

But with the above said, my son bought a table saw and a miter saw from them (not their cheap ones, their higher priced better ones) and we use the living crap out that table saw. Six months later and the thing is still cutting like a champ! Did have put a new blade in though after a while.

 

The inverter generators are quieter. Reviews are mixed but mostly good.

 

Back to the subject of bed power, I want to install bed lights but want to just run power to the bed from the battery, and planning ahead I’m looking at putting a breaker in the engine bay and in the bed fused power distribution, switch panel with power outlets and associated wiring to allow for future use, air compressor, and allow for a small 12VDC/120VAC inverter 200-300W if I ever think I need one. My job is electrical and controls so planning this out is fun stuff. If I’m gonna run power wires from the engine bay to the bed I’m gonna make it all worth while lol.

 

That's not a bad deal for two of them and the parallel cable. It's usually cheaper in the long run to buy quality reliable products. Yamaha makes some nice inverter generators too.

 

Oh your right that is priced for two, I missed that. Not a bad deal then.

 

You can get a battery powered nail gun

 

Got mine off Ebay, new in box for $850. It's 1800 watts continuous per gen.

 

Good deal, how much was shipping? And note I said 1800w continuous, 3600W for a pair in my post.

 

Free shipping. But Ebay charges tax now.

 

Agree ! On a side note inexpensive does not always mean cheap...

 

Check this out. I might try this to see if it will run the compressor from the truck bed. Looks like it might do the trick. https://youtu.be/1MPW1dqulWw

 

All this talk about the 110 outlet an HF. What I think would be a good mod for me is a 12v outlet in the bed. Pumping up bike tires and air mattresses for camping that would be helpful for me.

I actually do like HF. I would not buy their power tools but I do have many of the hand tools they sell for different home tasks. Most of the hand tools wrenches, rachets and socket sets are just fine for homeowner and occasional dyi car maintenance.
I was there today and they had a 51 piece socket set for $9.99. I would not buy anything that cheap as that the lowest quality stuff.

 

The cheap ones also use Chinese copies of Hondas OHV engine. Yes not as good as a Honda but cant cant blame anyone buying a Chonda for 1/3rd the price.

 

If you check out the video I'm not talking about the cheap inverter or grinder from HF. He creates a little box that cost about 60bucks in parts from Amazon to get it to do a soft start without overloading.

 

I actually ran an angle grinder and good Makita drill off the bed's plug. I was surprised it worked. I couldn't put much load on the grinder otherwise it would slow down substantially. I may install a 2000w inverter some day after my neighbors are done borrowing it for their house. Until then, I will either bring a generator or deal with no/low power.

On Harbor Freight generators, I can hear my Predator 3500 hum outside right now. It has about 390 hours on it without a problem. I use it to supplement my home's solar power on short or cloudy days. I have been eyeballing their smaller generator and may get one to haul in the back of the pickup. I am surprised it works so well. The 3500 watt generator will charge my 24v battery bank at 30A DC, power the house's normal stuff, and a toaster at the same time. That's likely 2600 watts AC after inefficiency in the battery charger. And I'm at 6000 ft above sea level; not sure how much that is supposed to derate my generator.

 

Surprisingly Consumer Reports rated the Predator 3500 quite well

 

That compressor draws over 40A when running per the Q&A, one user added a second battery to run it to avoid discharging his single battery. Power hog

 

I read lots of reviews before purchasing it and saw the same thing. Also, it is much quieter than the Champion generator that came with the house AND it has electric start. Both the wife and I really appreciate that.