Honda EM5000 - 4500 Watt Electric Start Portable Generator

Excellent piece of equipment that will work well for our systems that we sell to our customers.

I bought the 5000 early in the summer, and I already had a transfer switch from an older generator. I used this one for Hurricane Sandy.

I powered through the transfer switch: ¾ horse well pump, furnace including hot water boiler mate, microwave/convection oven, TV/DVR, 10 lights, and a fridge.

I knew going into this that all the items above would use about 4000 running watts, but they needed 6000 starting watts (if all started at the same time). Thanks to the iVAR starting wasn’t an issue. iVAR can handle up to 7000 watts of starting load for 10 seconds without affecting the generator's performance, It did this flawlessly in my opinion. All of these items at times ran at the same time and the generator ran without a hitch. As items stopped and started I noticed NO issues with power fluctuations NOR did it slow the generator.

Actually the opposite happened- as things powered up the iVAR gave the power I needed while the auto idle control added RPM’s so the generator could handle the new running load. You can’t compare this to $500 generators as they don’t have these features.

Also this one produces much cleaner power than the cheaper ones without going all the way to an inverter model. The cheaper ones can burn out appliances because of the “dirty” power. I experienced this myself with my old generator. Why not rate this a 5?

One thing that does bug me about it is that in the manual it says don’t get it wet. Matter of fact I started looking at generator manuals and they almost all say that. The idea of having a generator is usually because of bad weather. What I did was I made a “teepee” like thing out of plywood and placed it over the generator keeping the exhaust on the open side of the “teepee”. I also ducked taped the power plugs I wasn’t using to keep any stray splash of water out of them. Lastly I didn’t let water pool under it as I had it on the top of my sloped driveway.

Frankly Honda should have designed for rain and snow but it was easily worked around (this worked for me but may not work for others) as I mentioned.

I bought the 5000 early in the summer, and I already had a transfer switch from an older generator. I used this one for Hurricane Sandy.

I powered through the transfer switch: ¾ horse well pump, furnace including hot water boiler mate, microwave/convection oven, TV/DVR, 10 lights, and a fridge.

I knew going into this that all the items above would use about 4000 running watts, but they needed 6000 starting watts (if all started at the same time). Thanks to the iVAR starting wasn’t an... more

I called on a Wednesday AM needing a new generator. I looked at other brands, but since I've used (2) Honda generators for 29 years, I couldn't make myself purchase anything but a Honda. The price was unbelievable, so I bought it.

I needed to get this by Friday so I could get the new generator into my truck so I could work on Monday morning- and Electric Generators Direct delivered. It arrived by Noon and was in my truck and running by 4PM.

This Honda seems to be as reliable as my two previous generators. I am amazed at the longevity of these machines. When factoring in the price and the length of service I have gotten out of a Honda, it doesn't make sense to look at any other brand. This runs inside the bed of a truck with a topper on in the heat of the summers and the cold of the winters and they have always performed excellently.

On the previous generators I had to run a power lead from the fuse block under the hood to use the electric start and was totally surprised to find the new ones come with a battery for the starting of the generator. They took something great and made it even better!

It is also quieter than the previous generators, which is another bonus. All in all, a great machine and I'm sure it will last as long as its predecessors.

I called on a Wednesday AM needing a new generator. I looked at other brands, but since I've used (2) Honda generators for 29 years, I couldn't make myself purchase anything but a Honda. The price was unbelievable, so I bought it.

I needed to get this by Friday so I could get the new generator into my truck so I could work on Monday morning- and Electric Generators Direct delivered. It arrived by Noon and was in my truck and running by 4PM.

This Honda seems to be as reliable as... more

With the generator set on Eco mode it only puts out 39 hertz!! If you look at the specs it seems that it always puts out 60 hertz. It does not. So beware of using it on electronic equipment. And remember that even a refrigerator or house hold cordless phone can be effected by this.
I would definitely not use a computer powered by this. Buyer Beware

I bought this generator as an upgrade to my old and very inexpensive ($400) generator. After reading some reviews and looking over the specs, I decided that this generator would be a great investment and should last me for a long time. The ordering process went thru without a hitch and Electric Generators Direct shipped it the same day. Upon arrival the delivery man brought the generator into my garage; and aside from the box having some water damage everything went smoothly (the generator was not wet as it was wrapped in plastic).

I haven’t got a chance to use it a lot, but here is what I found so far. First, I was a little disappointed when I found out that this thing was “assembled” in China. Several components did have a “made in Japan” label on them, but I couldn’t find out where the engine and the alternator were made. I was sure that at this price range this generator would be made in Japan.

The assembly was not too difficult and I was ready to start it in no time. After adding oil, I added about a pint of gas and tried to start the generator. Not sure if it was on a slight slope and the gas didn’t rich the carburetor, but it wouldn’t start. So I added some more gas but it still wouldn’t start, the third time was the charm. My old generator always started on first pull. After letting it run for about 10 minutes with auto throttle switch in the off position, I began noticing that the engine was running a little rough and had a slight hint of misfiring. I never noticed that with my old generator. (Recently, I was in NYC, and saw two Honda EB5000 generators running, powering a concession stand in front of Macy’s. Both of them were running identically rough, just like my EM5000. So it appears that this is the way that these generators run).

None the less, I plugged in few power tools into it and everything ran fine. This weekend I plan to hook it up to my generator transfer switch and thoroughly test it. I am not sure if it is because I had such high expectations of Honda Generators, but, right now I don’t have as they say a “warm and fuzzy feeling” about this generator. With a hefty price tag, I was expecting it to run much smoother and start better than it did.

I bought this generator as an upgrade to my old and very inexpensive ($400) generator. After reading some reviews and looking over the specs, I decided that this generator would be a great investment and should last me for a long time. The ordering process went thru without a hitch and Electric Generators Direct shipped it the same day. Upon arrival the delivery man brought the generator into my garage; and aside from the box having some water damage everything went smoothly (the generator was... more

I just got an em5000 a few months ago and used it for 4 days during a storm. I love it. It sipped fuel and powered my whole house and then some. The only thing is was lacking was an hour meter. I got a b&s one for about 20 bucks and not have nothing to ask from it. It's worth every penny.

I bought this generator in 2012, since then it has been in the shop 3 times for a total of 4 months.

The problems: carburetor replacement, electronic control board, auto choke, and on and on.....after getting it back from the shop I once again have a choke/carb problem. And no it isn't from stale gas.

Please note that if you get a large generator, every time it has to go to the shop you have to have them pick it up @ $65 round trip. Maybe I got a lemon, maybe not, but I would never buy a large generator again unless I truly needed it. What a pain....

As far as surging, I have heard several Honda's and they all seem to have the same minor surging...mine is an outrageous surge...I have bought a Yamaha 3000is and love it,,, Honda-Never again!!

I bought this generator in 2012, since then it has been in the shop 3 times for a total of 4 months.

The problems: carburetor replacement, electronic control board, auto choke, and on and on.....after getting it back from the shop I once again have a choke/carb problem. And no it isn't from stale gas.

Please note that if you get a large generator, every time it has to go to the shop you have to have them pick it up @ $65 round trip. Maybe I got a lemon, maybe not, but I would never buy a... more

I received the Honda Generator I ordered from Electric Generators Direct in good condition and it has operated flawlessly. I purchased the generator based on the reputation of the Honda products and have not been disappointed.

I purchased a generator for home use. The generator is perfect for home use. Sorry not much of a story teller.

Wanted to have a home backup when the power was out. This works great. Started first time. Runs quiet. Can sustain most things in our house. Great product

Very happy with transaction.