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FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Original Message   Sep 16, 2012 5:41 pm
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.

This message was modified Sep 16, 2012 by FrankMA


Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
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carlb


Joined: Nov 16, 2010
Points: 279

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #3   Sep 17, 2012 11:38 am
Frank,

congrats on your new gen.  I have a Honda em3500sx that I have as a backup to my Lister Diesel backup generator.   The Honda units while pricy compared to most, are very well built and should give you years of trouble free service as long as you take care to keep the fuel system clean.  The only thing i dislike about all of the high speed generator sets running at 3600 rpm is they are quite loud and its the kinda of noise that can go right through you.
bus708


Location: Maryland
Joined: Jul 24, 2010
Points: 321

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #4   Oct 30, 2012 10:09 am
I am looking at running 2 eu 2000 Honda that is much cheaper than a eu 6500. The only thing with that set up is I will have to wire it to my 220 breaker. From there I do not know how or if the amps will split, 1600 watts x 2 = 3200 running watts / 120 volts = 26.6 amps. The big question is will I get 26.6 amps on each bus bar in my electric panel or 26.6/ 2 = 13.33. 13.33 amps is nothing 13.33 x 120 = 1600 watts. I'm not sure how it works. If I can get 26.6 amps on each bus bar It should work fine. I hope it will. Your 6600 watt will give you 56 amps at full load. Are you getting 56 amps on each bus bar in your box of are you getting 28 amps???
hirschallan


If it aint broke don't fix it !!


Location: Northern Hills of NY
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Points: 327

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #5   Nov 5, 2012 4:46 pm
http://www.uscarbs.com/ has kits for most portable generators. You can make your generator run on whatever fuel you choose.
This message was modified Nov 5, 2012 by hirschallan


FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #6   Nov 5, 2012 5:59 pm
Update: I just logged 35 hours on my new generator after we lost power when Sandy rolled through. A huge tree took down a pole and all the wires last Monday mid day and we did not get grid power back until Wednesday at 10:15 pm. The EM6500SX performed flawlessly and was relatively quiet, especially compared to some of the generators my neighbors were using (fortunately the houses are far apart from each other). The last thing I wanted was a jackhammer outside my house and the Honda did not let me down. My neighbors even commented on how much quieter my generator is compared to theirs.

I changed the oil at the 13 hour mark (manual says do this at 20 hours) and used about 15 gallons of fuel in total over the 3 days. I have about 90% of all my requirements tied into the transfer switch so aside from a few lights in a couple rooms, it's like not losing grid power. Still had no TV service but that was not a bad thing - it was nice to get a break from all the political ad's. Got some DVD's for entertainment at night and that worked out good. I'm on well water so no power means no water. Losing power for a total of 10 days during Irene and then the freak October nor'easter last year was an ordeal I did not want go through again. Being able to have a hot shower is priceless!

This message was modified Nov 5, 2012 by FrankMA


Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
raysmd


Joined: Nov 3, 2012
Points: 24

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #7   Nov 5, 2012 10:03 pm
how quiet is the EM6500? can you give a relative comparison with other household items? I'm considering that or the EU6500is.
hirschallan


If it aint broke don't fix it !!


Location: Northern Hills of NY
Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Points: 327

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #8   Nov 6, 2012 5:25 pm
raysmd wrote:
how quiet is the EM6500? can you give a relative comparison with other household items? I'm considering that or the EU6500is.


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

FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #9   Nov 8, 2012 12:33 pm
raysmd wrote:
how quiet is the EM6500? can you give a relative comparison with other household items? I'm considering that or the EU6500is.


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

Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
borat


Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Points: 2692

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #10   Nov 8, 2012 5:02 pm
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.  
FrankMA


Location: Merrimack Valley/Northeastern Mass
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Points: 587

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #11   Nov 8, 2012 5:26 pm
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.
This message was modified Nov 8, 2012 by FrankMA


Toro Wheel Horse 522xi GT, Honda HS928TA, Honda HS621AS, Honda HS520A, Toro CCR3000 (work in progress), Honda HS624WA (sold 08/23/2010), Stihl BR550 Backpack Blower, Stihl MS250, McCulloch MS1635, Honda EM6500SX Generator
mobiledynamics


Joined: Oct 1, 2011
Points: 81

Re: Honda EM6500SX Generator - Finally
Reply #12   Nov 8, 2012 6:58 pm


borat wrote:
 I just fire it up every year or two to make sure it will run.  

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
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