Worth paying for a Honda generator?

[socal m1 shooter]

Looking for a generator. Consumer Reports scores several of them similarly, even if the prices vary considerably. I'm wondering, why is a Honda so much more expensive? Do you get what you pay for with this kind of generator?

[twinfin]

[user120312]

I think about my neighbor across the road who bought one of the those no-name dual fuel 13Kw gensets. I was impressed at how, after sitting for months, we hooked a propane bottle to it and it fired right up and made power no problem. I don't think she's actually used it in a power outage but could be wrong.

IDK if Honda even offers a similar genset, say in the 8-10K range since those off-brands are often wildly optimistic about capacity, but I do know when shopping their mid-range gensets they are often 4 to 5 times the price of the 'whatever' brands.

If I was using a genset all the time I'd have one like the two I actually did have for many years, a 50kw three-phase and 10kw single phase diesel powered unit. I saw how expensive they were to keep 'available' and, over time, the economics didn't pencil out. It was nice to have the lights on and HVAC, and machines in the shop, during the '96 blackout, sure. That and a few other times were all I used them.

I've gone in a different direction in the brave new world of oppressive Communist government. Silence. I'm gearing up for everything to be as silent as possible, from power to weapons. That means battery power, suppressors and crossbows, along with silent surveillance methods.

Before making that decision, my first look at a genset was Honda. It was instinctive. My Honda mower is over 40 years old and has needed practically zero maintenance. They just go, and go, and go.

[sonofeugene]

[madland]

The mountain bike league my son was racing in used Craftsman generators. 3500W range or somewhere around there. They were using multiple units around the race venue. And they were QUIET!! Just my .02

If I had the money I'd go all-in for a Honda with a lot of power. But I opted for a Champion with around 7500W. I've only used it monthly to function-check it. I've yet to use it for a true emergency..and I hope I don't ever have to.

[DrjonesUSA]

Looking for a generator. Consumer Reports scores several of them similarly, even if the prices vary considerably. I'm wondering, why is a Honda so much more expensive? Do you get what you pay for with this kind of generator?

I've no idea, though I am considering a generator within the next couple years.
My contribution is; in addition to actual customer / user reviews, what is the ACTUAL (again, from experienced, real-world people, not consumer reports) longevity & reliability.
Furthermore; what's the warranty & long-term support / parts availability like?
That probably accounts for the cost differential.

[edgerly779]

I jave a like new duromax 4400 electric start gen set on here for sale. in sfv

[socal m1 shooter]

We've been at the same place more than two decades. Our power connection seems to be pretty reliable. How many times have we had an unscheduled outage in the last 20+ years? I can count the number of times on one hand. No idea why; in other places where I have had some personal experience, the power was less reliable, sometimes much less.

There seems to be a perspective of experience which says, outside of reliability and ruggedness, quiet operation is worth paying for, dual-fuel is worth paying for, but what about electric start? How big can one go before pull-start becomes unwise?

Someone I know who has had a generator for years is pretty disciplined about starting it monthly (pull-start, not electric), and recycling the gasoline kept for it through cars about every two or three months. As for me, no experience here, but the difference between the highest-scoring Westinghouse and the Honda that is just below it score-wise is real money. That is why I am asking the collective brain-trust.

[twinfin]

We've been at the same place more than two decades. Our power connection seems to be pretty reliable. How many times have we had an unscheduled outage in the last 20+ years? I can count the number of times on one hand. No idea why; in other places where I have had some personal experience, the power was less reliable, sometimes much less.

There seems to be a perspective of experience which says, outside of reliability and ruggedness, quiet operation is worth paying for, dual-fuel is worth paying for, but what about electric start? How big can one go before pull-start becomes unwise?

Someone I know who has had a generator for years is pretty disciplined about starting it monthly (pull-start, not electric), and recycling the gasoline kept for it through cars about every two or three months. As for me, no experience here, but the difference between the highest-scoring Westinghouse and the Honda that is just below it score-wise is real money. That is why I am asking the collective brain-trust.

[M1NM]

Champion dual fuel inverter 3500 on the trailer zero problems. When the power goes out in the house we retreat to the travel trailer and run that AC. The Champion has a regular (trailer) 30 amp plug the Honda you need to buy an adapter.
I bought 3 of these when Costco had them on sale for about 750. https://firmanpowerequipment.com/collections/hybrid-series/products/t07571 Figured when the blackout hits I'll scalp a couple of them (still in the sealed boxes). Set one up and ran it on propane. Powered the house fine for a day. I've used it on gas a couple time when the extension cord for my welder didn't reach. I'm going to get the natural gas hose for it so I don't waste the propane stash.

[peekay331]

I've had two Honda generators, as well as a Yamaha, Kipor, and a Champion generator. Unless you're a vendor at a swap meet running thousands of hours a year, any of the major off brands will be fine. Even if you did use it at those hours, I haven't seen any empirical data saying Honda/Yamaha is more durable.

Also, I noticed no difference amongst the brands that I had. The most important thing it to run them every month or so. If you don't, they WILL ALL clog carbs. In fact, I would say my Yamaha seemed to be the most sensitive out of the bunch.

For what it's worth, if I were in the market, I would get a Champion or Predator. Both seem to have established themselves and have some parts availability.

[madland]

Before I went with the Champion, I bought a Westinghouse at Sam's Club. Got it all set up and fueled up. After a few tugs on the pull-cord, the cord took a crap on me. I was able to get the cord to retract. Checking to see if it was a fluke, I tried it again a bit later. Same thing. Pumped as much fuel back out as I could and took it back to Sam's Club for a full refund.

[sofbak]

Just this week I read an online article about users issues wth Predator generators-both 3500 and 5000 models. Two major problems are currently in play:

1. Overheating. Owners report that in a moderate to hot environment (80 degrees or more), the gen heats up and the logic board disables the ignition system. No mo juice.

2. CO2 Safe sensor. Users report the co2 sensor reporting a "false positive" signal, even when the gen was outdoors and well ventilated. And the loguc control board disables the ignition system here. No mo juice.

And in either of these events, it took 2 hours or more for the logic board to reset and enable the ignition system.

YMMV

[riprap]

Love our Honda for camping.
DuroMax and Generac are my go-to's for power outage at the house. At the house, DuroMax is primary, Generac is backup, Honda is for when all else fails.

[tokuno]

I'm frugal to the point of penury, but I bought a Honda for the PG&E planned & unplanned outages based upon online reviews and testimonies of reliability, durability/longevity, dependability, easy-start, fuel economy, and quiet operation.
I've owned/used a lot of on- & off-brand pull-cord tools (lawnmowers, chain saws, weed whackers, mini-bikes, blowers, etc.,) and am patient with drawn-out, multi-pull start-ups.
The Honda generator comes out a couple times a year for recreational use, and the super-quick easy pull start is a nice convenience, and the unobtrusive, low-noise operation is more important than I had anticipated.
BUT when I've ~really~ needed a generator, in the early morning cold & dark with pouring rain and an impatient wife, that quick start has been worth every additional dollar I paid to get the Honda.
AND the eco-mode quiet and miserly gas-sipping are GREAT when it's parked outside my home office.
I'm gonna buy a hutch mountain tri-fuel kit and install a natural gas house extension to eliminate having to refuel in the rain.