Skeptical...

[TCBoomer]

Has anyone here had a Honda generator failure, and what was the issue?

That's why I want the Honda

 

[TCBoomer]

I wouldn't buy a small engine on anything that doesn't have a manual start rope. My Honda came with electric/battery start and I haven't used it since the original battery died. I think it is overkill for 90% of people using a generator. It could be handy for someone living off-grid to have auto start, which does require a battery and elec. starter.

The auto/idle throttle option is good if you are using the gen at a work site or whatever, but I could live without that option too.

I agree 110% any small engine should at the minimum have a recoil start. The elec start would be just one of those bells & whistles that'd be nice to have but not a necessity.

Correct me if I'm wrong but i would think the idle control would be a benefit for both fuel economy and wear & tear. Might be minimal for each period of use, but over time could amount to enough to justify. And then there's the noise...My last 2 outages were a week long and it was kinda nice to hear it idle down occasionally when the load was minimal instead of screaming away.

I was looking at the wrong model #'s for the 2 Generacs I mentioned. Glad I noticed it because there is a difference with the specs. The XP series is what I want not the XG...specifically the #5931 XP8000E. And this unit you can't get at Home Cheepo or its equivalent either which just proves my point about inferior products.

 

[TCBoomer]

Id run as far as possible from that dealer.

if he wont live by his agreement, its not someone i would trust.

I have a 16 yo Onan generator. only paid 1,400 for a 10kw generator ....new. It only sees occasional use, and has worked flawless. Most generators see very little use. i know, i install whole house systems.

i also agree that guardian (generac branded) units are a great deal, and well made.

I just bought a 20KW system for $3,800 brand new branded under Siemens name (made by generac). Itys a nice system. Honda is wayyyy overpriced.

Onan are used alot in RV's correct? I've heard the name before

 

[TCBoomer]

I think CT to Indonesia is quite a round-trip!

Also, over here it looks like the EM6500 has been superceded by the EM65is. If it is about to go obsolete over there too it may be another factor to consider?

J

I don't think the EM65is is available stateside and from what I just read it has the inverter which might make it equivalent to the EU series they do sell here

 

[TCBoomer]

25 to 30% has been the norm from what I've seen on the websites after having gone through the order process without actually ordering. That is with shipping factored in.

30%??
SIGN ME UP!!

 

[TCBoomer]

Your signature does not list one....do you have a tractor? If so consider a PTO generator..way cheaper per kilowatt. Also I'd tell that dealer to go pound sand since he is trying to give to the big Za-zich.

It's in my profile...or at least I thought it was. I'll have to fix that.

Tell me more about the pto generator. I have a New Holland TC24DA 19HP at the pto IIRC.

I did consider it once upon a time but that was short lived. Didn't really want to have to use the tractor to run one. Now that I'm seriously looking at all my options I'd like to know more about it. Stable clean voltage?

As of right now, here's the order of preference...but I want to know more about the pto version

Honda EM6500
Generac 5931 XP8000E
Honda powered Dewalt
Honda powered Gillette
Subaru powered Gillette

Did I mention I'm sick of looking at generators yet:confused2:

 

[BuzzardA91]

Go with the Honda. I have a nearly new Generac which replaced an older Generac. Both were unreliable, poor running, and gas hogs. I thought the older one was due to age so that is why I replaced it. New one is a joke. It is the 15kw UltraSource, gets 30-35 min per gallon on less then half load. From new was in for service twice and both times were given explanations as to why it ran poor. Finally after 3 days without power, popping and coughing, and muffler glowing cherry red brought to my regular (non generac) service guy. Fixed a poorly made manifold that was sucking air. Runs decent but fuel inefficiency the same.

In meantime I bought a Honda EU6500is for $3,999. And yes, it is worth the 4 Generacs I could buy. It gets 2 to 2 1/2 hours per gallon and purrs like a kitten.

My advise - buy the Honda from a different dealer, there are plenty. Buy the EU6500 over the EM 6500 and take the 12 month financing. That's about $100 more a month more but worth it. Do the research, they are the best. Call your local rental agency or inflatable kids rental place. Bet they both use the Honda EU6500.

I also looked at PTO generators. Have some nice things like one engine to maintain. But, do you really want to run your tractor at PTO speed for up to a week in an outage. Also, you usually lose power in a storm. I like to have my tractor available for cleanup or snow removal, not powering my house.

Good luck

Anyone interested in a Generac 15kw UltraSource portable? Looks like new with less then 100 hours on it.

 

[grsthegreat]

Onan are used alot in RV's correct? I've heard the name before

mostly used in larger rv's. this is a house standby system in an enclosure

 

[TCBoomer]

Go with the Honda. I have a nearly new Generac which replaced an older Generac. Both were unreliable, poor running, and gas hogs. I thought the older one was due to age so that is why I replaced it. New one is a joke. It is the 15kw UltraSource, gets 30-35 min per gallon on less then half load. From new was in for service twice and both times were given explanations as to why it ran poor. Finally after 3 days without power, popping and coughing, and muffler glowing cherry red brought to my regular (non generac) service guy. Fixed a poorly made manifold that was sucking air. Runs decent but fuel inefficiency the same.

In meantime I bought a Honda EU6500is for $3,999. And yes, it is worth the 4 Generacs I could buy. It gets 2 to 2 1/2 hours per gallon and purrs like a kitten.

My advise - buy the Honda from a different dealer, there are plenty. Buy the EU6500 over the EM 6500 and take the 12 month financing. That's about $100 more a month more but worth it. Do the research, they are the best. Call your local rental agency or inflatable kids rental place. Bet they both use the Honda EU6500.

I also looked at PTO generators. Have some nice things like one engine to maintain. But, do you really want to run your tractor at PTO speed for up to a week in an outage. Also, you usually lose power in a storm. I like to have my tractor available for cleanup or snow removal, not powering my house.

Good luck

Anyone interested in a Generac 15kw UltraSource portable? Looks like new with less then 100 hours on it.

I'm sure that EU series is sweet...you bought the Lexus model
I heard one run at the dealer

 

[TCBoomer]

mostly used in larger rv's. this is a house standby system in an enclosure

Ok thanks.

Standbys around here aren't cheap. I'd prefer portable or possibly PTO driven if I can find out more specifics. Haven't found much yet and all have names I'm not familiar with

 

[hchxoom]

I also looked at PTO generators. Have some nice things like one engine to maintain. But, do you really want to run your tractor at PTO speed for up to a week in an outage. Also, you usually lose power in a storm. I like to have my tractor available for cleanup or snow removal, not powering my house.

On the other hand, might provide one of those rare opportunities to convince SWMBO that a second tractor is a must-have rather than an unnecessary luxury!

 

[dave1949]

On the other hand, might provide one of those rare opportunities to convince SWMBO that a second tractor is a must-have rather than an unnecessary luxury!

Dream on :laughing:

 

[dave1949]

<snip>

Correct me if I'm wrong but i would think the idle control would be a benefit for both fuel economy and wear & tear. Might be minimal for each period of use, but over time could amount to enough to justify. And then there's the noise...My last 2 outages were a week long and it was kinda nice to hear it idle down occasionally when the load was minimal instead of screaming away.
<snip>

Maybe others have had different experiences, but I've noticed it doesn't take much of a load to kick the generator up off of idle. When I am using the generator to run the house, there is almost always something drawing power, enough to bring it off idle--even though it isn't working hard at all. I probably have enough vampire loads to keep it from going to idle.

 

[BuzzardA91]

The Honda system is different then idle control. My generac has idle control, ANY DRAW, kicks it out, that is normal. The Honda Eco Throttle adjusts the Rpms to match load. My EU 6500 varies from 2800 to 3500 Rpms.

The EM6500 is also a very good generator. The only reason I stepped up to the EU is for low draw fuel efficiency. I had a problem getting gas last October storm and have a wood boiler that requires a low power draw to run. Again, the EM 6500 is also an awesome generator and nearly as efficient at full down to half load. The EU excels below that. Get it !

 

[MotorSeven]

Northern tool sells them:
NorthStar PTO Generator 7200 Watt, 14 HP Required | PTO Generators| Northern Tool + Equipment

Messicks sells a package deal on a trailer & the powerhead is AVR regulated. You don't really need a trailer, just a 3 point carry all type set up works fine:
Tiger Power PTO Generators

I have a Winco 24KW. My 40 horse tractor runs it to capacity @ 2,000rpm which equates to a gallon an hr. But keep in mind this will run the whole house...everything. Most folks don't run a generator 24/7 and any time I have had to use one for a week or so I run it about 8 hrs a day. I have a 300 gallon diesel tank, so re-fueling is not a big deal. A tractor is designed to run long hard hours day after day. Heck it takes tons more abuse when cutting, teddering. raking and baling hay.

I have a small 3600 Boily Pro that I use for camping & small jobs on the farm. It's a very well done knock off of the Yamaha but for less than half the price.
New Boliy Pro3600SIE Inverter Generator with Electric Start - Free shipping (click here to order)

I think Honda makes the best portable generator on the market so I don't think you can go wrong with one. Keep in mind that if the insidious ETHANOL makes it's way into any small engine carb, then sits for over a month or two it's going to rein havoc. I recommend Marine Stabil on all small engines or ethanol free fuel which is getting harder to find in some states.

 

[dave1949]

Fuel issues brings to mind that it's nice to have a fuel shut-off valve, either from the factory or install your own. Then you can run the carb. dry after each use. I have always done that and I think it helps.

 

[dave1949]

The Honda system is different then idle control. My generac has idle control, ANY DRAW, kicks it out, that is normal. The Honda Eco Throttle adjusts the Rpms to match load. My EU 6500 varies from 2800 to 3500 Rpms.

The EM6500 is also a very good generator. The only reason I stepped up to the EU is for low draw fuel efficiency. I had a problem getting gas last October storm and have a wood boiler that requires a low power draw to run. Again, the EM 6500 is also an awesome generator and nearly as efficient at full down to half load. The EU excels below that. Get it !

I confess I have no idea about which Honda model/series is better for one purpose than another, and they keep adding on to the list it seems.

 

[unbidden]

TCBoomer, are you planning on using the generator for emergencies only? At almost $3,000 I'd definitely look into a standby unit.

 

[Gunny]

Fuel issues brings to mind that it's nice to have a fuel shut-off valve, either from the factory or install your own. Then you can run the carb. dry after each use. I have always done that and I think it helps.

I know it works! I had a lot of carburetor problems when they first started adding ethanol and I'd just shut the engine down. Even with additives, the ethanol seems to make the gasoline more evaporative and leaves those gummy deposits inside the carburetor. Even on my lawn mower, which get used weekly, since I started shutting off the gas and letting the engine starve out, I' not had the first problem. All in all, I've got nine small engines, lawnmowers, a tiller, a generator, three go karts (grand kids) a pressure washer, water pump, etc, but since I started that, no problems.

 

[woodsman74881]

I have 3 generators. I have had them for years. The oldest is a generac 5500 that I bought in 99 and built my house in the country with. They make a good product and the price is usually good. I also built a 24kw pto generator 4 years ago, that I have not had to use. I am an electrical contractor, and when people ask me about what generator to buy, I ask them what they want it to do in an emergency, run whole house or just necessary. Most generator manufactures have good heads, the problem is the motor. Honda makes a great motor, but some of the other US manufatures do as well, I have had no problems with my briggs and stratton and I have 100s of hours on it. It is more about how you maintain it than the motor turning the generator. I agree, get a fuel shut off and run the carb dry when you are ready to store it. Nothing worse than trying to get the carb clean when you need the unit. Pull start or electric? Depends on how strong your arm is. It Gen is tuned up and maintained, doesn't start too hard. For what it is worth.