Honda Generator Question for the Gurus.

[Skyllz]

Hi GJ Generator gurus.

I'm shopping for a 6500w Generator, done all my homework and am about to pick up a new Honda EG6500.

I was also offered a barely used EM6500SX with electric start, 2004 I think for about 700$ less all said and done than the new EG6500. The EM is is almost new condition, less than 10 hours on it, runs like a top.

Looks like this.

Deal or not? I was not able to find much details on the EM6500S of those years. I know the newer EMs are a notch above the EG line from checking Hondas website but over the year were there any changes?

Pretty much trying to see if the older EM would still be better and why over a new EG or just grab a new EG and be happy with it.

Thanks for any information or advice you might have.

 

[rockwithjason]

those are great generators, you will do well either way

 

[teamo]

I think that you would do fine with the used one. Honda makes top notch stuff and the $700.00 savings makes it even better.

 

[rexer]

I have a Honda EM3500S since 1995 bought new and have a million hours on it.

Been great and still have it..

That Honda sounds great for that money , especially if it's is like new.. Buy the EM one.

I'll buy it.....lol..

 

[Slowgsr]

Go for the EU7000

 

[Skyllz]

Thansk for the replies, i'll probably grab the EM and save a few $$ in the process then

Go for the EU7000

You can EMT me the difference in $$ between that used EM and a new EU and i'll gladly pic one up, i'll even send you a postcard

 

[Slowgsr]

Sorry, I just have a thing for the EU line of generators.

 

[bigredmf]

Twin EU7000s would be cool!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[weadjust]

I have a late 80s early 90s Honda EG5000X. Bought it 2 years ago non-running with less than 50 hours from a friend for $100. Cleaned carb and it runs like a champ. The older Honda stuff is built like a tank with very few plastic parts. Only complaint is the gas tank capacity is too small.

 

[Slowgsr]

Twin EU7000s would be cool!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I agree, with a parallel kit. Could power everything including my spa!
I wish Honda would offer a NG kit for their larger EU generators.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Skyllz :

What is your intent/goal/application with the gen

 

[Skyllz]

Skyllz :

What is your intent/goal/application with the gen

Backup for home, enough juice to run my well pump, refrigerator, cell phone charger and a couple lights. That's all I need. Wood stove keep the house plenty warm in the winter when i'm there. Well pump pulls +-14 amps on startup(measure with a clamp meter a dozen times to get an average) and 7 amps once running. So I wanted something with some overhead to not worry about swapping plugs to do anything.

Moved to the country 2 years ago, had a few outages and the last one was near 24 hours on eve, mostly concerned about loosing food in the fridge and having running water at least. So generator went from my "nice to have list" to her "need to have" list.

So here I am.

 

[mobiledynamics]

How are you planning to ~feed it~.
Propane/NG mod.

FWIW, after Irene/Sandy, losing power, hauling 5 gallon buckets - one in each hand, until 4-5 am in the morning, I went with dual EU2, tri fuel setup. As well, I built a small *trench* in our garden, had 10 Jerry Cans full of fuel and made a teak cover for it so it was flush with the long.

Anyhow, just asking/posting, because you also need to calculate your fuel consumption, based on your needs...

We have a vacay house in the sticks. Get a hiccup or 2 during the weather.....automatic genset works great for it's application.

So keep that in mind.....you need fuel to feed you genny for however long you think you will need it.

 

[Skyllz]

Not my first rodeo with generators, refuelling wattage calculations and panel connections I found some good information in many threads here also.

I always have 25+ gallons of fuel on hand for ATVs, dirtbikes, lawnmower, snowblower and other stuff so it gets rotated and refreshed constantly throughout the year. I'm in the country but still 25 minutes from a major city so if needs be, I can go refuel anytime also.

It wont be running 24h a day either, only during the day so it's not so bad, other than when the well pump will kick in(something we would be a little more careful with water usage), it will have 1500W maybe on it if the refrigerator is running. A couple lights(all LED already), my wood stove fan, cell phone charger, maybe TV and computer/internet modem(already on a UPS with AC surger/filtering).

 

[mobiledynamics]

Got it Sky. Too often, people get a portable generator for emergency use, run it close to full tilt and have no ~planning~ on fuel capacity requirements..

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a late 80s early 90s Honda EG5000X. Bought it 2 years ago non-running with less than 50 hours from a friend for $100. Cleaned carb and it runs like a champ. The older Honda stuff is built like a tank with very few plastic parts. Only complaint is the gas tank capacity is too small.

Retro fitting a fuel pump for an external tank is actually pretty simple. You need a source of vacuum pulses from the engine. If it is an overheat valve, inside the valve cover is a good source. Then you plumb in a fuel pump (Mikuni/Brigss & Stratton), filter, shutoff valve and you are done.

There are several video on YouTube showing the details. Don't get hung up on the specific model.

 

[Skyllz]

Thanks for all the advice, picking it up tomorrow or Saturday.

Since I have a 400lbs propane tank at home, I was suggested by a neighbour who has one to look into a propane kit for it. I like that idea.

Tinkering is half the fun

 

[mmavet]

Can't go wrong with Honda generators. We had them on our trucks for work, and they just keep going year after year. I can't remember hearing about any problems with them.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Backup for home, enough juice to run my well pump, refrigerator, cell phone charger and a couple lights. That's all I need. Wood stove keep the house plenty warm in the winter when i'm there. Well pump pulls +-14 amps on startup(measure with a clamp meter a dozen times to get an average) and 7 amps once running. So I wanted something with some overhead to not worry about swapping plugs to do anything.

Moved to the country 2 years ago, had a few outages and the last one was near 24 hours on eve, mostly concerned about loosing food in the fridge and having running water at least. So generator went from my "nice to have list" to her "need to have" list.

So here I am.

What model meter did u use? Did it have an in-rush current measurement option?

In-rush current is 4x-8x FLA.

 

[Skyllz]

Electrician buddy came by with his fancy expensive Fluke meter. He is familiar with this, he was also surprised the initial current was not that high. My well pump is 35ft underground only with a the head is 30ft from the entrance to the house. Apparently that's very short by well standards.

 

[rlitman]

I don't think the inrush current has as much to do with the well depth as it has to do with the motor wiring and momentum of it's moving parts.

On a generator, the ability to deal with inrush current is measured by it's "subtransient reactance". Though I doubt that's a value you'd find on a Honda spec sheet.

Anyway, while I'm also a huge fan of the EU series (and own a 1000 and 2000; of course at 120V only these would not be helpful to you at all), your choice of a conventional generator over an inverter may be a good one, because conventional generators have more ability to handle large inrush currents than inverters. If the inrush is too much on an inverter, it may just disconnect you on overload, while on a conventional generator, the lights will dim for a split second.

It sounds like you've got your fuel supply all thought out. 6500W isn't all that difficult to feed. In an outage, I use my 5000W generator 24x7, and it's quite manageable with 5 gallon cans. Now as for people who have setups twice that size and expect to feed them with gas, they're in for a rude awakening.