Worth paying for a Honda generator?

[ChuckD]

I spend months at a time in my 5th Wheel, I have an Onan (made by Cummins) gasoline gen built in and it is quiet, fuel efficient, and I am pretty happy with it (though if I was going to replace it I may go propane or dual). About a year ago it stopped working and I bought a portable Duramax as a backup - while it is a workhorse and seems like excellent quality, it is loud and sucks gas (if I fill it right before I go to sleep I can just barely get 8 hrs of AC before it dies). While using the Duramax I was parked for a week next to a friend who was using a Predator (Harbor Freight) that he said was 6 years old - it was enough to power his AC & lights (if he wanted to run the microwave he had to turn off the AC momentarily - he doesn't have batteries, I do) it was much quieter than my Duramax and ran far longer on the same amount of gas. He was a big fan & recommended it. When I get around to it my plan is to sell the Duramax & buy a Predator to use as the backup.

[socal m1 shooter]

Amazon had the CR top-rated generator (upthread) on Prime Day special, but our nanny state, doing a great job of protecting us from ourselves, won't allow Amazon to ship it to CA.

[Duck Killer]

I have ran the Honda 2000. They are worth the money. I also have a predator 3500 that runs great. For a larger generator I am planning on getting another predator.

[Garbcollector]

The hobofrieght line of generators seem to work good my predator 3500 fires right up and is super quiet

[Wil-c]

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

can you find & post this article? I just got a predator 3500 watt & I thought it didn't have any electronics on it. Electronics meaning computer type crap, assuming the 'logic board' you're referencing is some sort've chip (computer) operating system?

so far mine has run exactly as advertised and matches the reviews, one pull start & it's quiet when running. Neighbor uses them in his business and says they are anvil reliable & they're every bit as good as a honda.

[Duck Killer]

Does your predator not have electric start?

[calif 15-22]

After buying multiple non Honda units, I finally bought the bullet and found a barely used (22hrs) Honda EU 7000. So quiet I cannot hear it running from inside the house. I live in suburbia where PG&E turns off our power when the wind blows so now have a that generator on a 10 circuit transfer switch to keep lights, internet, fridge, freezer, and heat on.

[twinfin]

After buying multiple non Honda units, I finally bought the bullet and found a barely used (22hrs) Honda EU 7000...

[Wil-c]

Does your predator not have electric start?

mine? no. Pull start.

[hermosabeach]

I purchased a cheap Chinese generator in duel fuel. Propane and gasoline.


Chinese don't last as many hours as the Honda.

it's that simple.

if you will be using the generator a lot-
welding
RV
remote area or area with poor electrical reliability
then get a Honda.


for an occasional power outage- then you can save some money.

[Fnfan]

Their prices are absurd. Give me my Champion and Firman and Ill save my money.

[SDM44]

Like somebody else said, Honda generators are great but to get the most out of them you really need to use it quite a bit like at a swap meet, on a food truck, on a job site, or if you go camping every other weekend. If you're just looking for something to use during a power outage at home, most current generators are pretty good these days for that job. Just do your research on them before buying, and then use the rest of the money you would've spent on the Honda towards a transfer kit & installation on your home. Gone are the days of running extension cords from your generator, under the door or through the window opening, in order to power your plug-in stuff inside the house.

One of the main differences between Honda generators and most other generators on the market is that the Honda is fuel injected and the others have carburetors. However, if you get a dual-fuel inverter generator and run propane, the propane bypasses the carburetor so that's one less thing that won't fail.

[jyo]

Considering that we have lived in our current house for over 36 years with VERY FEW power outages (the longest one lasting 6 hours), a generator for us would probably be just for emergencies---so a cheaper off-brand gen. would probably just fine...
My brother lives in a much more rural area where power is often switched off to prevent brush fires, and he uses a less expensive gen. too---and it's worked out fine for him anyway...
Now understand, the wife and I both drive Honda cars because their reliability is legendary... Spend the $$$ where it's needed most...

[Wil-c]

Considering that we have lived in our current house for over 36 years with VERY FEW power outages (the longest one lasting 6 hours), a generator for us would probably be just for emergencies---so a cheaper off-brand gen. would probably just fine...
My brother lives in a much more rural area where power is often switched off to prevent brush fires, and he uses a less expensive gen. too---and it's worked out fine for him anyway...
Now understand, the wife and I both drive Honda cars because their reliability is legendary... Spend the $$$ where it's needed most...

this is my thinking as well. Not for everyday use so instead of spending a large amount of money, what is good enough? Reviews on the predator really point to it being good enough & what I save on the cost difference I can use to put fuel away or in my case get the dual-fuel carb for it & put away propane for a rainy day.

[NATEWA]

I have 3 champion generators. Run them on propane. 30 lb tanks. I rarely use them because I have SMUD. Reliable and cheap.

As a homeowner who needs it for power back up, they are great. If I had a business or needed it more often, I’d consider a Honda.

Friend lives off grid and he picked up some monstrous diesel generator. He’s in the process of installing it before winter hits.

When bad storms and flooding hit our area a couple of years ago, neighbor ran their generator non stop. From what I’ve read, it’s best to give them a break and change the oil after a couple of days.