Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Well I finally broke down and purchased a Honda EM6500SX Generator for my house. Last year was brutal with power outages. The first one in September lasted for close to 4 days and the October outage caused by the fluke nor'easter lasted almost 6 days. I'm on well water so no power means no water (I think no water is worse than no power). We usually lose power several times each year and it seems to be getting worse and last longer each time. I heat with wood so that at least is never a problem.

Got my 10 circuit transfer switch all wired up on Friday with my licensed electrician buddy so I'm ready to get let down by National Grid this year. I caught a 0% for 18 months finance offer from Honda plus all generators and transfer switches were on sale (saved $600.00) so it worked out well. I don't usually feel good about spending a decent chunk of $$$ but knowing my family will have power when (not if) it goes out is a good feeling.

how quiet is the EM6500? can you give a relative comparison with other household items? I'm considering that or the EU6500is.

raysmd wrote:

Besides all the good attributes that go along with the honda brand,they are the QUIETEST portable generators out there by far.

raysmd wrote:

The spec's list the sound level at 73 decibals, which is pretty quiet compared to some others.

I bought a cheap Chinese built 4000/3000 watt Champion generator from Chinadian Tire a couple years ago for emergency purposes.  I was thoroughly impressed how quiet it is.  Both mechanically and exhaust wise.  Seems like a nice little unit but who knows how long it will withstand extended use.  Fortunately, I haven't had the need to use it yet.  I just fire it up every year or two to make sure it will run.  

I thought long and hard about spending the $$$ for a Honda vs. a BB store generator. I lose power so often and for such long periods of time that I decided reliablity, quietness and confidence in the product line when needed was worth the extra dough. I would have bought a lower priced unit if we only lost power for a few hours a few times a year. When I lose power it is generally for a minimum of 3 days to a maximum (so far) of 6 days, except of course for those little blips of an hour or so here and there that most experience. I did end up getting somewhat of deal as I caught a $500.00 off list special offer price on the EM6500SX, $100.00 off the transfer switch and 18 months zero% financing through Honda when I was ready to make my purchase. The special offers eased the pain a bit and losing power for close to 4 days a week ago validated my purchase decision even further.

borat wrote:
Question for those with Gensets that don't *regularly* need to use it or experience outages.
How Often do you Fire it up just to make sure it's working. Granted I don't expect to use it except for maybe once every 2 years or so.....but we'll see.
Just ordered dual EU2000 after post Sandy.

I'm thinking I'll just *excercise the unit* every couple of months just to keep gas cycling, seals, etc

I have mine in a mobile enclosure for storage.  If and when necessary, I pull it out, remove the enclosure and fire it up.  Usually once a year.  I only put in enough fuel to run it for about fifteen minutes or so, then let it run out of fuel. 

FrankMA wrote:
Did you consider a diesel genset?  This outfit has quite a variety and they're out your way:

http://www.generatorsales.com/

A next year spring, summer project is to run black pipe to a *outlet* for outdoors and I plan to convert one of my Gensets to tri-fuel

Plenty of natural gas flowing....unlike these crazy long lines or Craigslist $20 per gallon gasoline ads out here in the Northeast

borat wrote:

I did consider going the diesel route but when the special pricing and finance offer from Honda popped up in September, I decided to go with EM6500SX and the Reliance Transfer Switch. The savings on the generator and the transfer switch ended up covering the cost of the transfer switch and close to half the cost to install the transfer switch. My electrician buddy did the install and took good care of me price wise. In the end, I just felt more comfortable and confident going with Honda. I think if I did go the diesel route it would have been with a Kubota model and those are not cheap - not that Honda is inexpensive but less than a Kubota diesel. The whole ball of wax - generator, transfer switch and  installation of the transfer switch cost me $ 3,150.00 vs. approximately $7,500.00 to go the diesel route.