Have you ever noticed how every Honda portable generator name seems to have some logic behind it, but you can’t quite grasp what it is?
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You’re not alone! I took an afternoon off to research the topic and after a few email exchanges with Honda’s support team, I bring you the answers!
This article will help you not only understand how and why Honda generators are named. By the time you’ve finished reading this piece, you will also have a deeper understanding of the wide range of choices that Honda offers, and also generators naming patterns across the board.
Spoiler alert: The final characters in a model name may sometimes have little to no usefulness for the consumer.
Part Naming Patterns and Generators
Manufacturers have two options when it comes to naming parts and products. These are called significant and non-significant (opens in a new tab) part numbers.
Significant naming patterns are used by most manufacturers. These names follow the manufacturer’s systematic naming scheme, which characterizes the product. In case of portable generators, names usually contain info on the product series and wattage of the model, such as ECHO EG-10000. Sometimes, other information is added, for example an “i” for “inverter”, as in ECHO EGi-2300.
Other brands simply pick a seemingly random series of numbers or letters, such as Champion 201175, which hold no particular meaning. These are called non-significant part numbers.
Honda, a power tool giant with thousands of products on the market, uses the prior naming system.
Because Honda manufactures the most reliable and popular generators currently on the market and has possibly the most intricate naming system of all portable generator manufacturers, I decided to dedicate a short article to decrypting their naming pattern.
General Format of Honda Naming
Honda has a systematic naming format, from which a lot can be said. The model name can be viewed as a grid, separated into individual fields, each of which carries information about what is in each box. Everything from the device type to its color can be included in the name of a generator.
There seem to be 3 naming formats, which can be separated into a grid of 7, 8 and 11 fields. However, most sites, including our own, will only show the first 5-6 fields, since these describe the model in general, whereas the rest differs from model iteration to model iteration. I will distinguish the two as “model specific fields” and “versioning fields”.
Model Specific Fields
What I deem to call the “model specific fields” is a pattern which describes every generator of that “type”, regardless of where you buy it, where it was made and what color it is. The pattern holds across all models produced anywhere between the 1980s and the 2020s.
When divided into an information-based grid, a name of a Honda generator features the following model specific fields:
E + Series + Style Variation + Max Output + Type + Starter Type + Engine Type
As you can see, the names of Honda generators are extremely information dense. Some fields are optional, whereas others convey information even by a blank space.
I will now go through each of these fields and explain them in further detail, so that you can do the same with any Honda generator.
A Honda Generator
Honda produces a wide spectrum of power equipment. Therefore, to keep track of what’s what, E means “generator”, “H” means “lawn mower”, “W” means “water pump”, etc.
Generator Series
Honda has many generator series, all of which have their design specifics.
There are currently 4 Honda generator series actively manufactured, labeled by the letters B, G, U, and M.
B | Industrial: Generally open-frame design, quite loud, but very powerful. They reach peak wattages of up to 10 kW and also include inverter generators with a full-GFCI control panel. |
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G | Economy: This is the current economy style, suitable for personal use. While the series used to feature several open-frame units, and an inverter generator (the EG2800i), it currently only features a 4,000W unit. |
M | Deluxe: The current “deluxe” series, which offers a wider range of models, which are suitable for personal use. |
U | Super Quiet: The current inverter generator series, which covers peak wattages from 1,000 to 7,000 W. All have an enclosed design and several feature an electric starter. |
Therefore, if you’re wondering what EU stands for on Honda generators, it simple means “Super Quiet” Series.
Owners of older models must dig deeper. The following table lists the discontinued Honda generator series, dating all the way back to the ’70s.
D | DC battery charging: Historical, 1978. |
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N, P, Z | Economy: Discontinued economy styles, 1995-2008. |
S | Liquid cooled: Historical, '70s and '80s. |
V | Recreational vehicle: Discontinued series, which used to power many RVs. |
W | Welder generator: Powers welding equipment. The number that follows indicates amps, not watts. |
X | Extra Quiet: A discontinued inverter generator series from the 90-00s' period. |
Style Variation
This field is optional and used quite scarcely. The S stands for electrical starter. This designation can also be found at the end of the name.
The remaining two options, V and X, are only found in the EVD and EXW series and refer 120/240 dual voltage and “welder”, respectively.
Maximum Wattage/Output
Most generators on the market indicate their wattage in their name. Honda is not an exception. Presumably for marketing purposes, the number refers to the peak or starting watts – the maximum wattage that the unit can achieve. Keep in mind that this is NOT the actual wattage of the generator, the running or rated watts.
Generator Type
This field may further indicate the generator type and is optional. It is sometimes used to differentiate between diesel (D) and gas-powered (GP) versions of a generator. In other cases, it may indicate that the unit is an inverter generator (i), or that it uses Honda’s patented CycloConverter technology (c).
The currently most common designation, CL, indicates a newer generation of generators, which have a 3 times higher fuel capacity than the previous.
Starter Type
If left blank, indicates recoil start. Otherwise, S/s indicates electric start (lowercase s if after i), which as mentioned above, may be equivalently indicated in front of the peak wattage number.
Engine Type
An X indicates that the generator’s engine is of the iGX series (opens in a new tab). iGX engines feature an integrated ECU (electronic control unit) with a self-tuning regulator (STR) governor system, which allows communication with the machine they are powering. They are easier for inexperienced users to operate and easily maintained.
Versioning Fields
The remaining fields, which I deem to call “versioning” fields, differ by their number and what they indicate from model to model. They follow the “model-specific” fields and can usually be spotted only on individual boxes or in more detailed catalogues – you will not find them on our site.
There have been at least 3 different formats of them, and the current will be most likely changed in the future again.
In general, their information includes:
- Production code – Such as “first production, produced in Thailand”, “second production, produced in Japan”, etc.
- Market – Indicates if this distribution is intended for the US market, EU, Australia, etc. May be relevant when dealing with local environmental legislature.
- Model revision – Indicates some minor model revisions (new type of spark arrestor, etc.)
- Other model specification – Indicates a “special model”, and depends on the series. For example, a “2”, “3”, or “F” can indicate “CAMO”, which is a variation of the classic model, in a camouflage color pattern. A “1” or “4” can indicate that it’s a “Companion” model, etc.
- Carbon monoxide sensor – Since July 2020, a final “G” or “N” indicates that the unit includes Honda’s CO Minder, a sensor that monitors ambient CO levels.
- 49/50 states – A final “N” indicates that the unit is not CARB-compliant and thus, cannot be sold in the state of California. A final “G” or “C” indicates the 50-states version.
Ultimately, most of these fields are more relevant to logistics workers, rather than consumers. We suggest contacting Honda support team if you ever need to figure out one of these codes.
A Few Practical Examples
The table below shows several decrypted names for illustration.
Full name | Common name | Meaning |
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EU2200iTAG | EU2200i | Super Quiet generator (EU), 2200 starting watts, inverter (i), produced in Thailand (T) for the US market (A), CARB-compliant (G) |
EU2200iTAG1 | EU2200i Companion | Super Quiet generator (EU), 2200 starting watts, inverter (i), produced in Thailand (T) for the US market (A), CARB-compliant (G), "Companion" version (1) |
EU2200iTA2 | EU2200i CAMO | Super Quiet generator (EU), 2200 starting watts, inverter (i), produced in Thailand (T) for the US market (A), "Camouflage" version (2) |
EB3000cK2A | EB3000c | Industrial generator (EB), 3000 starting watts, cycloconverter (c), produced in Japan (K2), for the US market (A) |
EG4000CLAT1 | EG4000 | Economy generator (EG), 4000 starting watts, bigger fuel tank (CL), for the US market (A), engine manufactured in Thailand (T1) |
EM5000SXK3AT1 | EM5000S | Deluxe generator (EM), 5000 starting watts, electric start (S), iGX engine (X), revised (K3), for the US market (A), engine manufactured in Thailand (T1) |
Conclusion
In summary, we have taken a deep dive into Honda’s model naming scheme. We have shown that each model name can be divided into a grid, of which some fields are model specific and others version specific.
The model specific fields include crucial information about the device, including the series, peak wattage, which engine and starter it uses, if it is an inverter generator, and more.
The versioning fields are harder to pinpoint, as their format varies from model to model. However, they can be useful if you wish to determine which distribution is in your box, where it was produced, what color it is, etc.
Hopefully, you can now navigate our product database with a better understanding of how not only Honda’s, but also many other brands name their models. If you ever find yourself struggling with the naming schemes of Honda, I strongly recommend contacting their very helpful support staff.
Did this article make you stop scratching your head over all these model numbers? Let us know in the comments below!
Hi Paul, Very good article. Thank you
I have a EU3000is S/N EZGF 1127594. I bought it in Canada. The rest of the letters behind the Model Number I do not have. This S/N is on the frame. Should there be another some where. I need to order parts and want to be sure of the model.
Bob in Sault Ste Marie.
Hi Bob.
For replacement parts, the serial number is all you need.
Thank you for this information, I really appreciate the effort you put into it to make life a little easier for researching Honda Power Equipment. Enjoy your retirement.
so if I have a em5000sxk3, the parts will be the same as any oth3r em5000s generator? I need a new carborator.
Not necessarily. You should check the serial numbers of your units against Honda part finder (opens in a new tab).
Nice work, Paul. You made it quite clear. Thanks!!
On the Honda EU2200i what is the difference between just a i at the end and some with TAG and I think LAN if I got that right?
There are no major differences. EU2200i is the common model name. The final letters are usually US-specific ones to denote a specific version of the model. TAG=made in Thailand (T), for the US-market (A), can be sold in California (G). TAN=made in Thailand(T), for the US-market (A), cannot be sold in California (N).
Thank you so much. EXACTLY the info I needed! 😉
Very helpful info from an expert.
Other than price are there any advantages of a non-inverter Honda generator ?
Non-inverter generators can have a much higher power output. That said, if your budget and power requirements allow it, inverter generators are usually the better choice. You may also want to read this article on the differences between inverter and non-inverter generators.