Honda Car Forum

Hi all,
I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
the brushes and other components than to just buy a
new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:

1. Do both these cost assessments seem correct?

2. If so, how does Honda get away with this?

3. If not, can I find the components and do it for a
fairly cost efficient amount?

4. If not, what are the chances of finding another unit
with a burned out/failed engine from which I could
cannabilize the generator.

5. Is there a center or website that would be able to
track this down or do I just need to start making calls?

6. Should I just go and buy another unit? It won't be a
Honda as I won't give my business to them if this repair
pricing is correct.

Thanks much.

--
- Kyle

<kylet@ s h o r e . n e t (Kyle Tucker)> wrote in message
news:Kaalb.513225$2x.227220@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att. net...
> Hi all,
> I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
> for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
> it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
> gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
> and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
> where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
> the brushes and other components than to just buy a
> new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
> generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
> be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:
>
> 1. Do both these cost assessments seem correct?

Yes they are in the business to sell new equipment, not spare parts. No
matter how much we would like them to be reasonable about spare parts they
just do not have to. All manufactures are like this. Ever wrecked a car?

>
> 2. If so, how does Honda get away with this?
>
> 3. If not, can I find the components and do it for a
> fairly cost efficient amount?

Possibly I would first try some other venues, indepenant shops etc.
Personally carberators and small generators are not my strong suite.
>
> 4. If not, what are the chances of finding another unit
> with a burned out/failed engine from which I could
> cannabilize the generator.

Start looking it will be a chore and you will not know what you are getting
>
> 5. Is there a center or website that would be able to
> track this down or do I just need to start making calls?

Unknown to me

> 6. Should I just go and buy another unit? It won't be a
> Honda as I won't give my business to them if this repair
> pricing is correct.

Up to you mate.

> Thanks much.
>
> --
> - Kyle

It is never easy plunking down money and then have the dealer be so
unyielding.

> <kylet@ s h o r e . n e t (Kyle Tucker)> wrote in message
> news:Kaalb.513225$2x.227220@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att. net...
> > Hi all,
> > I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
> > for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
> > it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
> > gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
> > and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
> > where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
> > the brushes and other components than to just buy a
> > new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
> > generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
> > be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:

Is there anything in particular that makes this generator so expensive?
From the model name, it appears to be a 5000watt unit. I have a Coleman
5000watt (6250 peak) that I bought from Home Depot. They currently carry
the newer model for $529. Mine has 4 120 and 1 240 outlet, the new ones
have 2 120 and 1 240 outlet.

In viewing it's specs online
(http://www.generatorsale.com/generators/em5000.htm), it doesn't appear to
be anything special. In fact, my Coleman, at least to me, not a generator
expert, appears to spec out better (5000 vs. 4500 non-peak output, puts out
both 120 and 240 simultaneously).

What's makes this puppy so expensive???

Hope your dealer is not the same dealer as mine in the NH/MA area
because he is a crook. If you e-mail me directly I will give you his
name.

If you have not used it in some time it is simply demagnetized.
Disconnect the Voltage or Power Regulator and apply a 12 V lawn or car
battery in proper polarity to the field and start the generator. Make
sure all leads to the Voltage or Power Regulator are disconnected.
Flashing it will sometimes work only once if your generator is not
re-magnetized as described.

Regards,

Howard Epstein
Howard@FCC1.biz

Kyle Tucker wrote:

> Hi all,
> I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
> for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
> it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
> gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
> and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
> where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
> the brushes and other components than to just buy a
> new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
> generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
> be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:
>
> 1. Do both these cost assessments seem correct?
>
> 2. If so, how does Honda get away with this?
>
> 3. If not, can I find the components and do it for a
> fairly cost efficient amount?
>
> 4. If not, what are the chances of finding another unit
> with a burned out/failed engine from which I could
> cannabilize the generator.
>
> 5. Is there a center or website that would be able to
> track this down or do I just need to start making calls?
>
> 6. Should I just go and buy another unit? It won't be a
> Honda as I won't give my business to them if this repair
> pricing is correct.
>
> Thanks much.
>
> --
> - Kyle

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 13:05:46 GMT, kylet@ s h o r e . n e t (Kyle
Tucker) wrote:

>Hi all,
> I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
>for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
>it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
>gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
>and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
>where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
>the brushes and other components than to just buy a
>new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
>generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
>be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:
>
>1. Do both these cost assessments seem correct?
Go see for yourself:
http://www.planopower.com/store/honda/em5000sx.shtml
Just the stator is over $702. Now, you wanna buy a ROTOR ta go with
dat? $640.69 sound about right? Planopower has the parts at average
pricing. Exactly what did the mice eat? Are you mechanically
inclined? Hondas are great. Honda dealers SUCK. I just tried to
take back my skipping EU1000i inverter 1KW genset to its dealer who
took 7 trips to his shop just to get it running. It's still not
running right and other dealers, of course, want nothing to do with
it. If they didn't sell it, it's not their problem.

>
>2. If so, how does Honda get away with this?
Parts is parts. Same way GM, Ford, Lexus, Detroit Diesel, Onan or any
of the others do. The sum of the parts of any item over $500 is
usually 10 times the cost of a new item. Stop by your Lexus dealer
and buy a plastic taillight lens or the plastic box the air filter
goes in!

>
>3. If not, can I find the components and do it for a
>fairly cost efficient amount?
See the above webpage. Those are pretty good parts prices, as prices
go. Plano Power will sell you any part for that genset you'd like to
buy.

>
>4. If not, what are the chances of finding another unit
>with a burned out/failed engine from which I could
>cannabilize the generator.
Oh, look. I found YOUR webpage!
http://www.home-power.com/homepower/...st__73768.html

Take your pick from:
http://listings.ebay.ca/pavailable/l...42906/?from=R4

Frankly, if you don't need 5KW and 3KW will do, take a serious look at
upgrading to the EU3000is I just bought from a disappointed camper for
$1500 brand new with 3 hours on it. I screwed the dealer out of the
trade-in ripoff right in his own parking lot. It makes less noise
than my EU1000i little 29# portable 1KW. The inverter genset just
work better because you're not forced to run the engine at 3600 RPM to
get 60 Hz, even at low load. The output from the inverters is
PERFECT...60 Hz, 120VAC...no matter what the computer is doing to the
engine RPM. On Econo mode, the EU3000is is only turning about 1000
RPM, even up to 1200 watts of load! Wanna hear it in action? This
website:
http://www.funkyfresh.com/toys/revie...generator.html
belongs to a garage band that uses the EU3000is at their remote gigs.
On this webpage is a "sound check" MP3 file of the band testing their
equipment. In the background, you can hear the EU3000is' low level
hum and compare it to the talking on the PA system. They say the mic
was midway between them. It's THAT quiet.....

Street price is $1800 from many places on the net. Dealers want
$2400-2800 with all kinds of add-on crap and threats. I find dealer
service useless for my three Honda gensets. I just got the EU1000i
back from its Honda dealer I paid too much money to and it still runs
bad. Buy it on the net. I can buy a LOT of service for $600
difference.
>
>5. Is there a center or website that would be able to
>track this down or do I just need to start making calls?
Search www.google.com for EM5000SX and you'll find hundreds of places
that sell/service and have parts for it. Plano Power is one of the
big ones. They'll ship anywhere. Parts ARE expensive.

>
>6. Should I just go and buy another unit? It won't be a
>Honda as I won't give my business to them if this repair
>pricing is correct.
Today I'm really pissed at my incompetent dealer. I'm a little pissed
at Honda Power for not forcing dealers to repair their products and
ensure some level of technician competence I think they're lacking of.

But, that said, Honda is still the finest small gas generators on the
planet. I have an EG5000X I bought from two lawyers after Hurricane
Hugo ripped Charleston, SC, my city, apart. I swore I'd NEVER be in
the dark again. That EG5000X with its 11HP oddball Honda slant
cylinder engine sat for 5 years in my storage shed with its steel gas
tank full of the cheapest regular gas Speedway ever sold. I pulled it
out onto the lawn to see if it still ran, open the petcock and let the
previously emptied carb bowl fill, closed the choke, switched her on
and pulled ONE TIME to a roaring start on gas that was FIVE YEARS OLD
and didn't need gas stabilizer. That gas is STILL in the ALWAYS
FILLED TO THE TOP steel gas tank, the reason it didn't "go bad". (Gas
doesn't turn to shellac unless allowed to breathe its lighter
molecules into the void of a partially-filled gas tank or allowed to
leak the lighter molecules out of a polyethelene plastic tank. Steel
tanks filled to the brim will keep gas fresh for years and years.)

The EU1000i was my first inverter model. It ran great until recently
when it had a carb problem. After the dealer dicked around with it
and called me down FIVE times to pick up a broken genset, I suggested
we just replace the defective carb. Honda agreed and paid the bogus
$156 service bill caused by him changing out a brand new spark plug
for a brand new spark plug and "adjusting the valves", something I've
never done to any Honda product in over 20 years. Anything to run up
a bill, you know....dammit. I'm gonna run the gas out of it powering
my 900W electric heater out on the patio this afternoon. We'll see if
"new gas" makes any difference. I can still hear it missing every
once in a while wavering around in speed it never did before. Still
under warranty, I hope the damned thing throws a rod because they said
there was nothing wrong with it and I'll just take another new one,
thank you! Honda engines don't "skip" when running normally.....no
matter what the idiots at my dealership say.....same as yours.

>
>Thanks much.
>
Let's keep in touch on this thread. I've subscribed to alt.honda and
alt.energy.homepower after finding your thread on alt.honda. Maybe
we'll hear from other Honda genset owners who will share their
experiences with the company, their dealers and their Hondas.

On Wed, 22 Oct 2003 00:15:05 GMT, "Seth"
<seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:

>> <kylet@ s h o r e . n e t (Kyle Tucker)> wrote in message
>> news:Kaalb.513225$2x.227220@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att. net...
>> > Hi all,
>> > I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
>> > for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
>> > it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
>> > gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
>> > and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
>> > where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
>> > the brushes and other components than to just buy a
>> > new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
>> > generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
>> > be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:
>
>Is there anything in particular that makes this generator so expensive?
Yes. Find a 1989 Coleman 5KW genset that still runs and we'll compare
it to my 5KW Honda EG5000X that still starts on the first pull, even
after it sat 5 years without being started!

From my Coleman experience during hurricanes, here, I call them
"temporary power".

>From the model name, it appears to be a 5000watt unit. I have a Coleman
>5000watt (6250 peak) that I bought from Home Depot. They currently carry
>the newer model for $529. Mine has 4 120 and 1 240 outlet, the new ones
>have 2 120 and 1 240 outlet.
>
>In viewing it's specs online
>(http://www.generatorsale.com/generators/em5000.htm), it doesn't appear to
>be anything special. In fact, my Coleman, at least to me, not a generator
>expert, appears to spec out better (5000 vs. 4500 non-peak output, puts out
>both 120 and 240 simultaneously).
>
>What's makes this puppy so expensive???
>
Silly little things like:
roller bearings
voltage regulation
over designed
steel not plastic
an engine designed to run thousands of hours, not with sleeve bearings
OHV trains
electronic ignition that starts on the first pull
multi-circuit float carbs

I've had all kinds of portable power. Fed up with replacements, I own
3 Hondas now. Go look at the EU3000is, 3KW inverter model (about
$1800 street price on the net). Its large AGM battery powers its
starter (unless your manly buddies are watching when you show off by
gently pulling on its custom recoil starter just once). The noise
level of the EU3000is is LOWER than normal speech! It runs at near
idle until you're drawing 1200 watts from its inverter AC power source
that doesn't require the engine run so fast just to get 60 Hz. It's
an amazing technology. Listen to one run in the background of this
garage band's "sound check" from their website about it:
http://www.funkyfresh.com/toys/revie...generator.html

I stole mine. A guy with a dually-diesel pickup was bringing it back
to trade up to a larger genset to pull his 15,000 Btu AC in his 5th
wheel camper. I was taking my little 29# EU1000i 1KW inverter in for
service and asked him, "How do you like that genset?" He loved it but
it wouldn't start the monster A/C unit on the camper so was bringing
it back. I made him a deal, right in the dealer's parking lot....(c;

Good luck with your Coleman. It's ok for running a few hours a year
if the lights don't stay off for a month like they did when Hurricane
Hugo tore Charleston apart in 1989.....