Skeptical...

[NHmitch]

I would look online, and find the best deal that you can. I guantee that you can find a much better price, and financing. 99% of the dealers that sell them online, ship them for free.

I bought a Homelite contractor grade generator with a Subaru engine, and it runs equally well as the equivalent Honda generators that I used in the military for years. it has 6250 Starting Watts, and I have never had one single issue with it, it powers my entire house. You can't go wrong with a Subaru build either. It has a Subaru EX30 287cc OHC Engine with Low Lubricant Shut Down. This is the generator: http://www.homelite.com/catalog/generators/HG5022P The This is a good way to start for the Honda:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Hon...187,d.dmQ&fp=53f8f21a0b144c9&biw=1280&bih=624

 

[TCBoomer]

Yes, that is the insidious power of marketing and image. You have to put the baseless emotions aside and be hard-nosed in these things.

Write down two prices: the Honda price and the next choice price. Stare at it. Think about payments to be made. Stare some more.
There, now I have deprogrammed you. :laughing:

it didn't help, still want the Honda

Money isn't really the issue as much as reliability. Like my first tractor...when I bought this place in 1990 I bought a craftsman garden tractor. Great machine to mow and plow with but took forever. After 7 years I started to noticed the wear and tear so I bought a New Holland CUT. Easily 6 times the price but well worth it. Pushed that NH to the extreme and got more than my moneys worth. In fact got most of it back when I traded for another new one. So it was money well spent unless I'm thinking wrong

Same deal with the generator. Bought the Generac in 2000 and it worked great all those years even though the outages were short lived. Then we got hit with a couple extended power outages and the last one killed it. Do I spend 1K-1500 again and hope for the best or step up and spend the money for a 'real'(lack of a better word) gen this time around? Not much different than comparing snap-on tools to craftsman or husky. They both will work fine and yet the former is at least double the money if not more. But the everyday use separates the real ones from the wanna bee's. Not saying I expect to use the generator everyday, but when I NEED it...it'll be there ready to perform...at least that's what my expectations are.

Here in CT everything is wicked expensive, and since I have the income to afford the "buy a Honda buy i for life", I figured why not? However considering all the uncertainty with the economy, am I willing to part with 3K at one shot?...No not in the least. The 0% 18 month offer is what influenced me to buy. If I can use someones money no charge, might as well. Now understand this before you or anyone else chimes in...the price I agreed to is the same price the dealer would sell it to me for cash. I tried my best to get them to come down but it was a take it or leave deal and this was with me writing a check on the spot, the financing offer came after. I'll be interested to see if another Honda dealer will do better. Online, everyplace I found that would sell this unit was firm in their price and like my local dealer this unit was on backorder.

I discovered a bit more about the 2 Generacs I am considering. The 5802 is electric start but DOESN'T have manual start and no idle control.The 5747 does have both elec and manual start but also no idle control. Somehow I overlooked that info.

 

[TCBoomer]

Find another dealer and/or generator brand.

I don't know how important a dealer is to buy a portable generator. Seems like there are quite a few places selling parts and service all over the place. If the dealer WAS important, said dealer has shown their true colors and I would be out of there. Since the dealer has appeared to have lied several times, I would be out of there.

Can you take your Avatar to the dealer and see if they will honor the contract? :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

I found a couple online places that would sell the Honda but the price is the same and no room to discount. Add in shipping and it's a no brainer. It appears if I want a Honda gen I'm limited to getting one from a dealer. Don't want used.

I'd bring her in real life instead of the avatar pic if I knew it would help lol
Somehow I doubt it'd make any diff

 

[EE_Bota]

I'd look at the generator head. Sure, I'm an EE, but if the winding is truly bad, I'm not rewinding it most likely. I'm just assuming there is more that could be wrong than the winding. I don't know that for sure...but all I'm saying is I'd pull the console apart and make good and proper sure that their is a bad winding.

You may have done this for all I know.

 

[TCBoomer]

I'd look at the generator head. Sure, I'm an EE, but if the winding is truly bad, I'm not rewinding it most likely. I'm just assuming there is more that could be wrong than the winding. I don't know that for sure...but all I'm saying is I'd pull the console apart and make good and proper sure that their is a bad winding.

You may have done this for all I know.

I did attempt to diag the failed one, with someone who is knowledgeable and didn't get very far. He said my unit has capacitors and is the weak link in these models. I bought it from Home depot for 1K in 2000 so I'm not surprised. I really have no interest in fixing this unit and would prefer buying a new one.

But thanks for the suggestion

 

[TCBoomer]

I have more than enough on my plate right now than I can deal with, so I'll pass on pursuing the legal options like small claims. I'm not out anything other than the time spent waiting for the generator. I pass the dealer on my way to work so it wasn't out of the way to stop

BBB and the states atty is something I may do though just out of principle. I agree a lic dealer should not be allowed to operate like they did. BUT...it's not uncommon to see this type of scam around these parts. I turn wrenches for Generous Motors...something they are NOT...so I know first hand of many similar stories from car dealers, some much worse!

 

[reb]

I had a Generac generator that I used while building this place. It worked pretty well, tho I had to repair the engine 2 or 3 times. When it came time to install a backup for emergencies I ended up with a Honda powered DeWalt commercial generator which has served well for 6 or 8 years.

My daughter works for a large equipment rental company which uses Robin (Subaru) powered generators. They have a great reliability rating. I considered getting one, but the price was nearly half again the price of the DeWalt. If I were in your shoes I would not rule out a Subaru powered generator if all other specs are satisfactory.

 

[TCBoomer]

I would look online, and find the best deal that you can. I guantee that you can find a much better price, and financing. 99% of the dealers that sell them online, ship them for free.

I bought a Homelite contractor grade generator with a Subaru engine, and it runs equally well as the equivalent Honda generators that I used in the military for years. it has 6250 Starting Watts, and I have never had one single issue with it, it powers my entire house. You can't go wrong with a Subaru build either. It has a Subaru EX30 287cc OHC Engine with Low Lubricant Shut Down. This is the generator: 5000 Watt Portable Generator (HG5022P) – Homelite The This is a good way to start for the Honda:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Hon...187,d.dmQ&fp=53f8f21a0b144c9&biw=1280&bih=624

I'll check your links later as I have to go out for awhile.
I did read some good reviews about Subaru and Robin powered so thanks for the suggestions

 

[EE_Bota]

I did attempt to diag the failed one, with someone who is knowledgeable and didn't get very far. He said my unit has capacitors and is the weak link in these models. I bought it from Home depot for 1K in 2000 so I'm not surprised. I really have no interest in fixing this unit and would prefer buying a new one.

But thanks for the suggestion

Very well, but capacitors are very inexpensive.

 

[dave1949]

I wouldn't buy a small engine on anything that doesn't have a manual start rope. My Honda came with electric/battery start and I haven't used it since the original battery died. I think it is overkill for 90% of people using a generator. It could be handy for someone living off-grid to have auto start, which does require a battery and elec. starter.

The auto/idle throttle option is good if you are using the gen at a work site or whatever, but I could live without that option too.

Has anyone here had a Honda generator failure, and what was the issue?

 

[EE_Bota]

I'd go manual starter rope with electric start too because of the inertia involved in cranking some generators. I'd keep the starting system well maintained and it would always be my first choice.

 

[grsthegreat]

Id run as far as possible from that dealer.

if he wont live by his agreement, its not someone i would trust.

I have a 16 yo Onan generator. only paid 1,400 for a 10kw generator ....new. It only sees occasional use, and has worked flawless. Most generators see very little use. i know, i install whole house systems.

i also agree that guardian (generac branded) units are a great deal, and well made.

I just bought a 20KW system for $3,800 brand new branded under Siemens name (made by generac). Itys a nice system. Honda is wayyyy overpriced.

 

[unbidden]

Don't know if this is for real, take a look:

Honda EM6500 - 6500 Watt Portable Generator

 

[dave1949]

Don't know if this is for real, take a look:

Honda EM6500 - 6500 Watt Portable Generator

Their store is in Indonesia. Down at the bottom of the page they have an "About Us" link.

 

[niemeyjt]

I think CT to Indonesia is quite a round-trip!

Also, over here it looks like the EM6500 has been superceded by the EM65is. If it is about to go obsolete over there too it may be another factor to consider?

J

 

[unbidden]

There are a few "direct" companies from Indo that sell all sorts of farm/ag/power equipment at wholesale prices. I did look into one when i was on the market for a rough cut mower but I admit spending thou$ands with that type of company is a bit unsettling.

 

[dave1949]

There are a few "direct" companies from Indo that sell all sorts of farm/ag/power equipment at wholesale prices. I did look into one when i was on the market for a rough cut mower but I admit spending thou$ands with that type of company is a bit unsettling.

Never tried that. Too chicken! I wonder if after adding the shipping in for something like a generator, there is much savings involved?

 

[unbidden]

Never tried that. Too chicken! I wonder if after adding the shipping in for something like a generator, there is much savings involved?

25 to 30% has been the norm from what I've seen on the websites after having gone through the order process without actually ordering. That is with shipping factored in.

 

[MotorSeven]

Your signature does not list one....do you have a tractor? If so consider a PTO generator..way cheaper per kilowatt. Also I'd tell that dealer to go pound sand since he is trying to give to the big Za-zich.

 

[TCBoomer]

Very well, but capacitors are very inexpensive.

It's not the price for parts/repair so much that I lost the trust I had in this unit. Being that it's from Home Depot, I'm one of those that feel items like these are inferior and of low quality.