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Description
Zoom on the Honda EM6500S
In a nutshell, the Honda EM6500S is a portable generator mostly geared towards:
- RV travellers who wish to upgrade their experience to another level
- Homeowners who want to be sure of their ability to power their fridges, cooking tools, heating and lighting equipment during power failures
- Professionals who want to ensure that a power failure will not prevent them from working
In the sections ahead, the power characteristics, availability of various outlets, the portability and any additional features of the device shall be discussed, including its emission compliance information.
Power & Run Time
The Honda EM6500S is powered by a 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke engine. It delivers 120/240V, runs on gasoline and offers a running wattage of 5500W as well as a peak wattage of 6500W.
With a noise rating of 64 dBA (just slightly more noisy than background music), the generator features a simple and elegant electric starter (battery included), but also a conventional pull-start mechanism. Moreover, to offer you even more convenience, the EM6500S can also be remotely started (separate purchase).
The fuel capacity of 6.2 gallons allows the EM6500S to operate for around 10.4 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.6 GPH).
- For camping/tailgating: 1 radiant heater, 1 toaster oven, 1 rice cooker, 1 coffee maker, 1 blender, 1 DVD player and 1 cell phone charger
- At home: 1 clothes iron, 1 vacuum cleaner, 1 toaster oven, 1 waffle iron, 1 mixer and 1 cell phone charger
- For work: 1 demolition hammer, 1 electric nail gun, 1 concrete vibrator (1 hp), 1 electric fence (25 miles), 1 drain cleaner and 1 bug zapper
Outlets
The control panel provides the upcoming 6 AC outlets:
In addition, it provides 1 DC outlet: there's a 12V 8A receptacle with which you may charge your batteries with ease.
Even though this Honda generator isn't quite RV Ready, its L5-30R receptacle allows an easy RV connection via an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. Besides, as the EM6500S holds a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, it is transfer switch ready: you'll easily be able to connect it to your breaker box to power your home during a power outage.
Portability
The Honda EM6500S has a conventional, open frame design, of the following dimensions: L41.1 x W27.8 x H28.3 in, which offers support and allows it to be raised above ground level. This type of design is ideal for tough environments and heavy outdoor use.
As the generator's weight is 234 pounds, manually moving it or transporting it may be challenging, despite the fact that it is technically considered 'portable' (movable). Still, once it is on the ground, a wheel kit and a folding handle can easily solve the issue of low mobility and allow for easy relocation of the device.
Features
The EM6500S's control panel
A built-in fuel gauge allows for a quick, easy and convenient check of the fuel level of the generator.
From a security point of view, the generator is equipped with an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off (Oil Alert®), giving you a peace of mind during use.
Besides the features previously mentioned, accessory-wise, the Honda EM6500S comes with the usual documentation and user manual needed to get you promptly started.
Emissions
The Honda EM6500S is EPA-approved and CARB-compliant. Thus, selling and purchasing this generator is allowed in each of the 50 states, including California.
Moreover, it features a spark arrestor and thus, may be used in forested areas.
Product Video
The Honda EM6500S versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Honda EM6500S compare to generators of similar power (between 5000 and 6000 W).
- With its weight of 234 lbs, the Honda EM6500S is one of the heavier generators in the 5000-6000 rated wattage category. If weight is your top priority, one of the champions in this power category is the Champion 100519, weighing just 121 pounds.
- Since this generator is rated for a lowest possible noise of 64 dBA, it can be considered as one of the more quiet of the products generating similar power. If noise emissions are important to you, one of the least noisy generators of this power range is the Honda EU7000iS with only 52 dBA.
- Regarding its autonomy, the autonomy of the EM6500S, reaching 10.4 hours at a 50% load, can be considered as low end, compared to other products of a roughly equal output. If concerned with autonomy, one of the products of a comparable power output, which offers the highest run time, is the Cat RP5500, boasting with 15 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. Standing at an estimated 0.6 GPH (gallon per hour) at a 50% load, this generator is somewhat average in this area compared to other devices, within the aforementioned wattage range. If not satisfied with the afore-mentioned fuel consumption, you may wish to check out the Westinghouse WGen5500. With a fuel consumption of as little as 0.44 GPH, it is one of the most efficient generators currently on the market.
Price comparison
As you can see from this dynamic chart, when compared to other 5000-6000W generators, the Honda EM6500S 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
- Remote start capable
- Quiet for its power (64 dBA)
- Decent fuel efficiency
- On the expensive side
- No data center
- On the heavy side (234 lbs)
- Relatively low run time
Where to buy the Honda EM6500S?
Amazon 
eBay | Price history for the Honda EM6500S | |
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Features and Specifications
General
| Inverter | No |
|---|---|
| Portable | Yes |
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Electric, Recoil, Remote |
Power
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz, DC: 12V |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 5500 W |
| Starting watts | 6500 W |
| Running amps (@120/240V) | 45.8/22.9 amps |
| Peaks amps (@120/240V) | 54.2/27.1 amps |
| Run time @50% load | 10.4 h |
| Run time @25% load | N/A |
Features
| GFCI outlets | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | No |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | Yes |
| AC outlets | 2x Duplex 120V 20A (5-20R) GFCI 1x 120V 30A (L5-30R) 1x 120/240V 30A (L14-30R) |
| DC outlets | 1x 12V 8A |
| Data center | No |
| Indicators | No |
| Fuel tank | 6.2 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
Misc
| Weight | 234 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 41.1 x 27.8 x 28.3 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 64 dBA |
| THD | N/A |
| Emissions | CARB, EPA |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Floating |
| Accessories included | No |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Unlike many websites, we did our best to research each of the specs above. That being said, we are not immune to making the occasional mistake or omission. Should you notice any missing or incorrect values, don't hesitate to suggest improvements so we can address the issue.
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 EM6500S 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. Alternatively, you can also contact their Customer Support: 1-770-497-6400.
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