Do you own a Champion, Generac or Yamaha generator?

[Robert Coats]

If you do, Honda would like to meet and talk to you about your experiences with these competitive model generators. There is a financial incentive for your time if you can participate. This is a great opportunity to help shape the future of the next generation of Honda generators and your input and contributions are highly valued.

Here are the locations and dates:

July 15-17 Chicago, IL & San Francisco, CA
July 18-19 Philadelphia, PA & Houston, TX
July 22-24 Tampa\Clearwater\Sarasota, FL & Boston, MA
July 25-26 Long Island/Manhattan, NY & Raleigh, NC

If you would like to participate, please send me an email (or PM) with the following information:

Name
daytime phone number
email address
location city
model(s) of generator(s) you use

My email is : robert_coats@ahm.honda.com

Thanks in advance for your help with this project.

[rusnak]

Dear Honda:

My Yamaha generator costs less than half the comparable Honda. My El Cheapo Predator generator from HF less than one third. Both are quiet, but lack the bling factor of a Honda. I guess I'll live with that.

Love,
Rusnak

[PetrolBlueSC]

I have used various generators for work and play. The Homelites I have used in the past did not provide the correct voltage, causing sensitive equipment (groundwater sampling pumps and controls) to not operate. The Champion I have now is too loud for camping. We now use a 2000i Honda. It starts on the first pull, and its quite. Was it expensive, yes, but I feel I got the quality I paid for.

[red-beard]

I'd like to talk to them. I have an 8000 Watt Honda engine Generator from Northern Tool. Since the introduction of ethanol, it runs like crap.

[red-beard]

In fact, every piece of small engine equipment I own with a Honda engine has quit working. And my father's power washer too.

My old Briggs-Stratton power washer from Sears seems almost indestructible.

[Dantilla]

Yamaha generator here. Always starts on the first pull, using 100LL Avgas. Very quiet and smooth.

My power washer has a 13-hp Honda engine, also starts on the first pull, also with Avgas.

[john70t]

RedBeard:
Unconfirmed....but I'd heard most powerwashers these day use the same mftr pumps, which are all crap.
It may have to do with high pressures, and the digital start/stop of the hand valve.

I've yet to see any type of inline buffer valve on those things.
Probably make a big difference in long-term wear of components.

[red-beard]

John, it is the carbs. My lawnmower, generator, and my father's power washer all have the same issue.

[KFC911]

James, can't you find non-ethanol in your area? For the past couple of years, I had to search, but 87 (non-E) has been around if you look for it, and FINALLY a couple of stations are now carrying 93 (non-E) that my Carrera and bass boat require.

[red-beard]

Nope. The closest is about 3 hours away, unless I want to pay for AV-gas. It is one of the reasons I purchased a Diesel Truck and Diesel Suv.

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by rusnak

Dear Honda:

My Yamaha generator costs less than half the comparable Honda.

That is most definitely not the case with the smaller, ultra quiet EU series. If it were I'd certainly have gone Yammie as both receive good reports.

Redbeard have you tried the ethanol fuel treatment stuff out there? I'd be sure to do so. If you have any marinas near you they can be a good source of non-e gas.

[thumbdoctor]

I have a Champion and haven't experienced any issues with it. Since it's only called into duty during a power outage I keep the fuel reservoir full and doped with StarTron ethanol fuel treatment. Same goes for all my power equipment. Since most new equipment is emissions compliant, it doesn't take much to make a carburetor run a foul. Usually running a tiny drill bit one size larger(a couple of thou) than the original size through the main jet will correct poor operating issues.

[red-beard]

The issue some sort of air leakage. To operate the mower, you have to leave it at the 1/2 choked point or it dies. Unless it is a fuel starvation issue.

[berettafan]

Certain rubbers don't play well with ethanol fuel. Could this be the issue?

On older equipment the ethanol in new fuel can act as a solvent and start dissolving the accumulated varnish in the fuel system and this creates a host of issues not seen before the ethanol fuel was introduced. BIG deal in outboard motors and causes endless stress and expense. Example would be the Yamaha HPDI series which are commonly considered to be among the best 2 stroke outboards ever produced (small block version) yet ethanol fuel has wreaked havoc on them.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The issue some sort of air leakage. To operate the mower, you have to leave it at the 1/2 choked point or it dies. Unless it is a fuel starvation issue.

that's exactly what my Sears/ B&S mower is doing.

I thought it might be because the fuel runs leaner or something. I am thinking that I need to switch to racing gas in the winter. It's ok when you're burning a tank a week, but when the new fuels sit, they ruin equipment.

[Hugh R]

I run my Honda 2000 once a month and load bank it with a halogen work light. I run Mobil 1 in it and its great. Stabil seems to help on four strokes, but not my two stroke Echo weedwacker or chain saw. They like fresh gas.

TiP: when you camp, a lot of people put a bike lock chain through the handle for security and then come back to find a broken plastic handle and the unit gone. I niko-pressed some loops into a 1/4" cable and attached it to a bolt inside the unit.

I know a few people who bought Yamahogs or Honda generators, and hardly ever ran them and were surprised when they gummed up.

[Red88Carrera]

I have a Honda EU3000is. Paid $1895 shipped to my door. You get what you pay for.

[rfuerst911sc]

I have a Honda EU3000is and love it. Bought it used and it starts great, runs great and delivers clean power. I imagine Yamaha are just as good.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The issue some sort of air leakage. To operate the mower, you have to leave it at the 1/2 choked point or it dies. Unless it is a fuel starvation issue.

Your main jet is clogged. It's way up in there, not the first one you see. Do the .002 oversized drill mentioned. The thing will run like a beast.

One size doesn't fit all and since a lot of the country is up at a 1000 feet, I think they size the jets for about there for the average. Stupid government make manf'rs go to fixed jets, Nothing better than the old adjustable main and idle jet carbs.

[flatbutt]

No, I have an old beat to heck Homelite that is hard to start, loud as heck but never lets me down.