Honda EB6500X - 5500/6500W Portable Generator
The Honda EB6500X is a portable open frame generator with a rated wattage of 5,500 W and a starting wattage of 6,500 W. (Read full specs)
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Amazon | Price history for the Honda EB6500X |
|---|
| Highest Price $3,478.99 Lowest Price $2,999.00 Current Price $2,999.00 |
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Description
Zoom on the Honda EB6500X
In summary, the Honda EB6500X is a portable generator especially useful for:
- RV travellers looking for even more independence
- People occasionally participating in outdoor fairs, festivals or events
- Food van owners who know that just a short power outage could lose them hundreds of dollars
- Homeowners in need of an emergency backup power for their essentials
- Professionals in need of safely powering high-intensity work or lighting equipment
Over the following sections, you'll uncover its power characteristics, the selection of outlets it offers, its overall portability, and the supplementary features it includes.
Power & Run Time
The Honda EB6500X
The Honda EB6500X houses a 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke engine with cast iron sleeve, which provides 120/240V, consumes gasoline and delivers a running wattage of 5,500W along with a peak wattage of 6,500W (and even up to 7,000 W thanks to the iAVR technology).
The generator is rated for a noise of 64 dBA (just slightly more noisy than a normal conversation). Its starting mechanism is based on a conventional pull-start mechanism.
With a fuel capacity of 6.2 gallons, the EB6500X may run for around 9.8 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.63 GPH).
As the EB6500X exhibits a THD of less than 10%, which is relatively high, it is best avoided for powering sensitive electronic devices.
Outlets
The full GFCI control panel provides the upcoming 6 AC outlets:
While not classified as 'RV Ready,' this Honda generator can still provides the advantage of RV connection via its L5-30R receptacle, ensuring power supply to your RV with an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. Besides, because the EB6500X is equipped with a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, it is transfer switch ready: it can power your home during a power outage, as it can be easily connected to your breaker box to power your household.
Portability
At L41.4 x W27.8 x H30.4 in, the Honda EB6500X boasts a traditional open frame structure, ensuring stability and allowing for convenient maintenance access to components, promoting air circulation. The design is ideal for rough environments and demanding outdoor use.
Despite its weight of 215.8 lbs, the generator is considered 'portable,' signifying its capability to be moved, albeit its heaviness may hinder easy transport. However, the constrained maneuverability is addressed with the assistance of its wheel kit and its folding handle, allowing for easy shifting once the generator is placed on the ground.
Further safety during transport, loading and unloading of the device is provided by a lift hook, which is placed on the top of the generator's frame.
Features
The EB6500X's control panel
A built-in fuel gauge allows for a quick, easy and convenient check of the fuel level of the generator.
Regarding security, the generator comes with an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off (Oil Alert®), providing peace of mind during operation.
Along with the aforementioned features, from an accessory standpoint, the Honda EB6500X's box includes the typical documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), which will help you start your generator promptly. An official storage cover is available, as a separate purchase.
CO Minder
Honda's CO Minder is a system that monitors the ambient carbon monoxide concentration, and automatically stops the engine if the sensor detects a CO level of or exceeding 800 parts per million (ppm) at a given time, or an average of 400 ppm for 10 minutes.
A CO alarm indicator will flash for about five minutes, during which it will be impossible to restart the engine.
iAVR Technology
Honda’s iAVR (opens in a new tab) (Intelligent Automatic Voltage Regulation) reduces voltage fluctuation by up to 50% over current AVR systems.
In conventional generators, when a load is applied, the engine’s rpm drops, which causes the voltage and frequency to drop as well, until the rpm recovers.
iAVR is a combination of the DAVR (opens in a new tab) technology and the iGX (opens in a new tab) engine technology, which serves to provide advanced and instantaneous engine rpm control when a load is applied.
As a result, voltage and frequency are precisely regulated and the EB6500X is able to produce a starting wattage above the maximum rating, for up to 10 seconds. Therefore, thanks to iAVR, the EB6500X is able to “overclock” itself above its 6500 starting watts and provide up to 7000 W.
Product Videos
The Honda EB6500X versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Honda EB6500X compare to generators of similar power (between 5000 and 6000 W).
- Weighing 215.8 lbs, the Honda EB6500X is one of the heavier generators within the 5000-6000 rated wattage bracket. if you wish to prioritize weight, the Pulsar PGX60BiSRCO is one of the top contenders in its power category, weighing only 93.5 pounds.
- Delivering a rated noise output as low as 64 dBA, this generator is has a quieter operation that most units of similar power. If noise is a concern for you, you could consider the Honda EU7000iS, which is one of the least noisy generators in its power range, rated at 52 dBA.
- Offering around 9.8 hours of running time on a full tank at 50% load, the EB6500X is within the average autonomy range of similarly powerful generators. For those prioritizing autonomy, the Dewalt DXGN6000 could be considered, as it offers one of the longest run times among generators with similar power output, reaching around 14 hours.
- The run time is important, but also hugely depends on the capacity of the fuel tank and doesn't mean much if we don't talk about fuel consumption as well. This generator is not fuel-efficient compared to devices of similar output: its estimated fuel consumption stands at 0.63 GPH at a 50% load. To prioritize fuel savings, we advise considering the DuroMax XP7000iHT, which stands out for its gasoline efficiency, consuming just 0.38 gallons per hour.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from these interactive charts, when compared to other 5000-6000W generators, the Honda EB6500X is on the expensive side of the price range.
While certainly not the cheapest of its kind, purchasing it would most likely also mean enjoying the reliability of a high-end product.
The bottom line
- Full GFCI panel
- CO Minder
- iAVR technology pushes starting watts up to 7,000
- Quiet for its power (64 dBA)
- Decent run time
- On the expensive side
- No data center
- No electric start
- On the heavy side (215.8 lbs)
- Low fuel efficiency
Do you own the Honda EB6500X and agree (or disagree) with these strengths and weaknesses?
Let us know and write your own review.
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | No |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke, cast iron sleeve |
| Starting system | Recoil |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 5,500 W |
| Starting watts | 6,500 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 45.8/22.9 amps |
| Peak amps (@120/240V) | 54.2/27.1 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 9.8 h |
| Run time @25% load | Unknown |
| GFCI outlets | Full panel |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | iAVR |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | No |
| Data center | No |
| Indicators | No |
| Fuel tank | 6.2 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 215.8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 41.4 x 27.8 x 30.4 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 64 dBA |
| THD | < 10% |
| Compliance | EPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2023 |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Bonded to frame |
| Accessories included | Wheel kit |
| Country of origin | China |
| Series | Industrial |
| Other model numbers | EB6500X1AN |
| UPC | 786102007375 |
We've taken extra care to research and verify each of the specifications above. That said, occasional mistakes or omissions are still possible. If you spot any missing or inaccurate information, feel free to suggest a correction so we can address it.
About Honda
Founded in 1948, the Japanese Honda Motor Company has gained notoriety for consistently producing top quality engines, motor-powered vehicles and devices. Over the years, the company has gained a strong reputation in the motorcycle, automobile, but also power tool industry. Honda’s power tool division has been producing power tools since 1953, including tillers, mowers, blowers, sprayers and of course, power generators. While the company has expanded globally and moved a majority of its production out of Japan into other Asian countries, Honda is to this day known as a legend among the generator manufacturers.
Warranty Information
The Honda EB6500X is covered under a warranty for up to 3 years. This warranty may be limited and may not cover all parts of the generator.
For more information about the warranty of Honda generators, please consult Honda's warranty policies (opens in a new tab). Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-770-497-6400.
Questions & Answers
What can it power?
| Item | Running Watts | Starting Watts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| At home | Sump pump (1/2 hp) | 1050 | 2150 |
| Furnace fan (1/2 hp) | 875 | 2350 | |
| Refrigerator (energy star) | 192 | 1192 | |
| Electric range | 2100 | 2100 | |
| Security system | 180 | 180 | |
| Total | 4397 W | 5872 W | |
| For camping | Radiant heater | 1300 | 1300 |
| RV refrigerator | 180 | 600 | |
| Hair dryer | 1800 | 1900 | |
| RV AC (11,000 BTU) | 1010 | 1600 | |
| Radio | 100 | 100 | |
| Total | 4390 W | 4980 W | |
| For work | Table saw | 1800 | 4500 |
| Grinder | 1400 | 2500 | |
| Electric fence (25 miles) | 250 | 250 | |
| Drain cleaner | 250 | 250 | |
| Bug zapper | 80 | 80 | |
| Total | 3780 W | 6480 W |
What is the difference between the EB6500, the EB6500X and the EB6500X1AN?
These model numbers refer to the same unit, but simply include more or less information regarding its specs, production batch, etc. Read how Honda name their generators.
Is it an inverter generator? (Asked August 04, 2020)
This unit is not an inverter generator.
Does it have an automatic throttle? Meaning that it would speed up or slow down according to the load? (Asked April 11, 2021)
The unit features Honda Auto Throttle system, which automatically reduces engine speed when ALL loads are turned off or disconnected. When appliances are turned on or reconnected, the engine returns to the rated speed.
Is there a way to disconnect or bypass the gfci. breaker on a eb6500x , so that i can backfeed my house? (Asked July 16, 2021)
This can be done by removing the neutral bonding. You may refer to our article on neutral conversion. We also highly recommended reading our article on the dangers of backfeeding.
Does the: EM6500SXK2 have electric start ? (Asked October 06, 2021)
This unit is the EB6500, not the EM6500. The EM6500 features an electric start, but this unit does not.
Can electric starter be added (Asked May 23, 2023)
There are no official electric start kits for the EB6500.
Couldn't find the right answer for you? Ask your own question.
User Reviews
Hondas are the best generator on the market.. This is one thing “you get what you paid for”
there is not a lot to talk about you pay more up front for a reason.
Ryobi,champion, predictor.. who is going to service these,?? the craftsmanship of a honda is so much more superior than any of these three, it is not even a competition!!