Lost Road
Well-known member
I'm trying to get ahold of the guy, so I can go pick it up. Seems like it's a pretty good deal. What do you think?
http://slo.craigslist.org/for/4375421896.html
http://slo.craigslist.org/for/4375421896.html
Is this generator a good deal?
- Thread starter Lost Road
- Start date
cburnscrx
Well-known member
IF that's the actual generator it's a pretty good deal. I'd likely buy it at that price.
I've been pricing out Champion generators lately, and will probably go that route.
I've been pricing out Champion generators lately, and will probably go that route.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
Interesting...and hmmph!
FMC1959
Well-known member
Honda's are excellant, and the price looks good.
Depends what you need it for. The inexpensive gens with Briggs motors are good for when you do not need long operating times, or under heavy load for long periods....example, powering some tools at a remote site where you have no power.
This gen, mainly due to its Honda engine, is more heavy duty/commercial quality than a recreational gen.
Franco
Depends what you need it for. The inexpensive gens with Briggs motors are good for when you do not need long operating times, or under heavy load for long periods....example, powering some tools at a remote site where you have no power.
This gen, mainly due to its Honda engine, is more heavy duty/commercial quality than a recreational gen.
Franco
mucksavage
Active member
Yeah, something just doesn't look "right" about it. I don't really know why. The Honda name looks like a sticker made from a sign shop.
FMC1959
Well-known member
Didn't see the post about it being a knock off. I can't comment on that, but if it is a Honda, then you would do good getting it.
b-body-bob
Well-known member
Those decals look bogus. Look at images of other Honda generators.
hey don't believe me if you want but google honda 3500 watt generator. then look at images and see if you can find one like it. the odd shape 12 volt plug on the right side and the type and placement of the other plugs screams cheap import generator. a honda would have some sort of model number and letter stamped clearly on it with all sorts of warning stickers. not a generic "honda 3500 watt" sticker.
Durka
Well-known member
Google Imaged it, yea, not one of them looked like that. The decal anyway.
FMC1959
Well-known member
There are 100’s of generator makes out there, but only a handful make the electrical panel. I believe Onan, Honeywell and a couple of others make the panel for all the other, including Honda. When you pay a premium for a generator, you are paying for the motor, Honda’s and other OHV’s carry the $$$.
If it isn’t far, go check it out. Putting a fake sticker on the side is one thing, but to fake the motor is difficult, or more work than it is worth for the money he can get. If the motor is legit, you should be good to go….although, you might think twice about doing business with someone if those stickers are knockoffs.
If it isn’t far, go check it out. Putting a fake sticker on the side is one thing, but to fake the motor is difficult, or more work than it is worth for the money he can get. If the motor is legit, you should be good to go….although, you might think twice about doing business with someone if those stickers are knockoffs.
I have a Honda 4000 w. and a Honda 3500 w. Both of them and all the ones I've seen have a suffix to the model number, such as 3500 SX.
That does not mean for certain this one is a knock-off, but as others have said, it looks wrong. There are a number of stylistic differences between this one and mine, for example.
It may have a real Honda engine, but I expect the generator plant is a fake and would likely not last very long under regular use. You would be better off with a Costco gen. or something. They are not the greatest but their warranty is unbeatable.
If you can swing it financially, get a real Honda. My 3500 w. has been in use for over 20 years and I have spent, in that time, about $70 in repairs other than oil changes. They just keep working and always, always start. They are, however, more money.
I bought my newest one from http://www.mayberrys.com/Honda/generators/generators.aspx
Good prices. At least give them a look and get an idea.
That does not mean for certain this one is a knock-off, but as others have said, it looks wrong. There are a number of stylistic differences between this one and mine, for example.
It may have a real Honda engine, but I expect the generator plant is a fake and would likely not last very long under regular use. You would be better off with a Costco gen. or something. They are not the greatest but their warranty is unbeatable.
If you can swing it financially, get a real Honda. My 3500 w. has been in use for over 20 years and I have spent, in that time, about $70 in repairs other than oil changes. They just keep working and always, always start. They are, however, more money.
I bought my newest one from http://www.mayberrys.com/Honda/generators/generators.aspx
Good prices. At least give them a look and get an idea.
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Durka
Well-known member
That's what I was thinking as well.
b-body-bob
Well-known member
Do Hondas have the dipstick down low like that one does? My HF is like that and it's a total PITA to deal with. I expected a Honda would be designed better for usability.
firebox40dash5
Well-known member
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- Mar 19, 2012
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I'd about guarantee that's fake. There ain't no Honda stickers that look like that. And I'm not seeing a company that would but fake Honda stickers on a generator bothering to put them on a geniune Honda, engine or otherwise. Might be a Chinese engine based on a Honda engine though.
My gut tells me that guy bought a 20' container full of those. Could be wrong, but that smacks of someone knowingly passing off his fakes. I have a friend who did it with a container full of those ****** Chinese 10-12kw diesels... he was trying to get more than Amazon, and probably had the only generator on CL on the eastern seaboard after the last hurricane.
My gut tells me that guy bought a 20' container full of those. Could be wrong, but that smacks of someone knowingly passing off his fakes. I have a friend who did it with a container full of those ****** Chinese 10-12kw diesels... he was trying to get more than Amazon, and probably had the only generator on CL on the eastern seaboard after the last hurricane.
lots of things i don't agree with. there 100's of makes out there but not hundreds of manufacturer's. a lot of them, including most of the imports do not have a panels made for them by reliable mfgs. like onan and honeywell.
i also disagree with the motor being the most important part. sure it needs to be reliable but putting a honda motor on a cheapass generator head does not make an outstanding generator. only a quality generator head will produce clean usable power.
i would rather have a cheap honda clone on good generator than a honda on a crappy generator head.
b-body-bob
Well-known member
FWIW I've got a HF Predator, haven't used it much but when I did it ran for 12-14 hours at a time for lighting and power tools. Not too loud, not hard to start, easy on gas.
gordon_gjs
Well-known member
It looks way to much like chinese generators...
http://www.amazon.com/3500-Watt-Generator-wheel-kit/dp/B000NRBQGM
http://www.amazon.com/3500-Watt-Generator-wheel-kit/dp/B000NRBQGM
b-body-bob
Well-known member
Understood, just throwing it out there as a low cost option.
FWIW I wouldn't get within blast distance of an aluminum air tank, so we all pick and choose for different reasons
Understood, just throwing it out there as a low cost option.
FWIW I wouldn't get within blast distance of an aluminum air tank, so we all pick and choose for different reasons
Yeah, I see your point there. I only use about 50lbs in there, though. My tire pressures run betwee 15-25lbs.
FMC1959
Well-known member
You can certainly disagree, and I can't speak much to the panels, nor am I an expert on the motors.
15 years ago I bought a 5500w Coleman at Costco (luckily it was Costco). Needed it for heavy duty load, 6-8 hours even longer. Running at loads of 80% or so, this Briggs engine was working hard. By the 3rd day there was oil everywhere. I gave it breaks at 3-4 hour intervals for 30 minutes, but it wasn't meant for this, Costco took it back.
I did a lot of research and reached to an old buddy that had a rental shop. He told me flat out those Briggs motors are fine on lawnmowers or anything that isn't going to be used under heavy load. He said the generator I had could work fine for someone building a cottage, needing to run some tools, or anything that does not need to run hard.
Everything he has in his shop is 80% used by contractors. He knows whatever piece goes out will have to work hard, and people that don't give a **** about the stuff. He swears by Honda, Vanguard, Yamaha, Kawa's and a couple of others, all OHV. Even these are not infallible, but they can handle it. He's the one that explained to me at the time there were just a handful of MFR's for the panels (I am guessing today there can be a lot of cheap imports like everything). His opinion was not to worry about the panels, unless you have sensitive electrical equipment, all the panels should do the trick. He also said that of all the equipment he rents, generators were among the hardest working.
I ended up buying a Wacker (with a Honda engine) back then at 3 times the price of the Coleman and although I do not use it that much now, it has taken on anything I have thrown at it.
There might be some bad or cheap panels, but I think any MFR that is going to pay premium dollars on a Honda or similar engine, would be dumb to skimp on a super cheap panel....but I am sure they could very well exist.