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Description
Zoom on the Honda EM6500SX
In summary, the Honda EM6500SX is a portable generator especially useful for:
- RV travellers wishing to enhance their freedom and nomad lifestyle
- Occasional participants of outdoor events, competitions, concerts and festivals
- Food truck owners who do not wish to see their business interrupted under any circumstances
- Homeowners who want to be sure of their ability to power their fridges, cooking tools, heating and lighting equipment during power failures
- Professionals in need of safely powering high-intensity work or lighting equipment
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 EM6500SX
The Honda EM6500SX houses a 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke engine, 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 an office). Its starting mechanisms include a conventional pull-start mechanism and a convenient and easy-to-use electric starter (battery included). The EM6500SX can also be remotely started, offering further convenience (via the My Generator App).
The EM6500SX can operate for around 9.8 hours at 50% load with a full tank (fuel consumption around 0.63 GPH), due to its fuel capacity of 6.2 gallons.
The powering of sensitive electronic devices with the EM6500SX is not recommended due to its relatively high THD (<10%).
Outlets
The control panel features the following 6 AC outlets:
Furthermore, it has 1 DC outlet: there's a 12V 8A output with which you may charge your batteries with ease.
This Honda generator features an L5-30R receptacle, enabling an easy RV connection via an L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor. However, it is still not quite RV ready. Besides, as the EM6500SX 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 EM6500SX has a conventional, open frame design, of the following dimensions: L41.4 x W27.8 x H28.3 in, which offers support and allows it to be raised above ground level. The design is ideal for rough environments and demanding outdoor use.
Since the generator weighs 231.7 lbs, it will be incredibly difficult to manually lift it and transport it, even though it is technically considered to 'be portable' (in the sense that it is movable). Nevertheless, it can still be moved quite conveniently with the help of its wheel kit and its folding handle, once it is placed on the ground.
Features
The EM6500SX's control panel
Thanks to a built-in fuel gauge, the generator allows you to quickly, conveniently and easily check the gas level at a glance.
Security-wise, this product benefits from an overload protection (circuit breaker) and an automatic low oil shut-off (Oil Alert®), which gives you a complete peace of mind when using it.
Besides the features previously mentioned, accessory-wise, the Honda EM6500SX comes with the usual documentation and owner's manual (opens in a new tab) needed to get you promptly started. An official storage cover is available, as a separate purchase.
CO Minder
CO Minder monitors the ambient CO concentration
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.
Honda My Generator App
Honda My Generator helps you monitor your unit
The Honda My Generator App (available on iOS and Android) makes owning the EM6500SX even more flexible and convenient, whether you are depending on it at home during a power outage, or enjoying an adventure at a remote campsite.
The app connects your unit and your phone via Bluetooth, across a 75-foot line of sight, giving you valuable information about your generator's operation and many additional features in the palm of your hands.
With it, you can easily monitor a range of information such as output power, lifetime run hours, oil life, or estimated remaining runtime. You’ll also receive warnings and notifications to remind you of routine maintenance.
Even better, the app allows you to control multiple, compatible Honda generators from a single mobile device, and to remotely start and stop the EM6500SX without a key fob.
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 EM6500SX is able to produce a starting wattage above the maximum rating, for up to 10 seconds. Therefore, thanks to iAVR, the EM6500SX is able to “overclock” itself above its 6500 starting watts and provide up to 7000 W.
Emissions
The Honda EM6500SX is EPA approved, but NOT CARB-compliant. Thus, it cannot be purchased or sold in California.
However, it features a spark arrestor, making it usable in forested areas.
In addition, the unit meets the ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 safety and performance requirements.
Product Video
The Honda EM6500SX versus other generators
The following charts are provided to give you an idea of how some of the key specs of the Honda EM6500SX compare to generators of similar power (between 5000 and 6000 W).
- A weight of 231.7 lbs makes the Honda EM6500SX one of the heavier devices in the 5000-6000 rated wattage range. If weight matters to you, one of the champions in this power range is the Genmax GM6000XiE with only 106.9 pounds.
- With a lowest noise rating of 64 dBA, the generator is one of the more quiet of the generators of 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.
- As far as autonomy is concerned, providing around 9.8 hours of runtime with a full tank at a 50% load, the EM6500SX falls into the low end in comparison with other devices of a comparable power output. If concerned with autonomy, one of the products of a comparable power output, which offers the highest run time, is the Predator 6500, boasting with around 14.5 hours.
- Run times are important, yet thanks to their dependence on the fuel capacity, they should be judged along with the fuel consumption of the device. 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. If you wish to further improve in the area of fuel efficiency, the A-iPower SUA7000L, which boasts with a gas consumption of only 0.36 GPH, may be the right generator for you.
Here's a list of the most popular specific comparisons:
Price comparison
As you can see from this interactive chart, when compared to other 5000-6000W generators, the Honda EM6500SX 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
- GFCI Outlets
- Remote start
- CO Minder
- Mobile app
- iAVR technology
- Quiet for its power (64 dBA)
- On the expensive side
- Not CARB-compliant
- On the heavy side (231.7 lbs)
- Relatively low run time
- Low fuel efficiency
Features and Specifications
| Inverter | No |
|---|---|
| Parallel capable | No |
| RV ready | No |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Engine | 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke |
| Starting system | Recoil, Electric, Remote |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Voltage | AC: 120/240V 60 Hz, DC: 12V |
|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
|---|---|
| Covered outlets | Yes |
| Automatic Voltage Regulation | iAVR |
| AC outlets |
|
| DC outlets | 1x 12V 8A output |
| Data center | My Generator App |
| Indicators | No |
| Fuel tank | 6.2 gal |
| Fuel gauge | Yes |
| Weight | 231.7 lbs |
|---|---|
| Approx. dimensions (L x W x H) | 41.4 x 27.8 x 28.3 in |
| Noise (lower limit) | 64 dBA |
| THD | < 10% |
| Compliance | EPA, ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 |
| Security | Low oil and overload protection, CO monitoring |
| Spark arrestor | Yes |
| Neutral | Bonded to frame |
| Accessories included | Battery and wheel kit |
| Country of origin | China |
| Series | Deluxe |
| Other model numbers | EM6500SXK2AN |
| UPC | 786102007429 |
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 EM6500SX 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 EM6500S, the EM6500SX and the EM6500SXK2AN?
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.
Your review states the em6500sx neutral is bonded to the frame. Page 61 of the owners’ manual says the system ground is not connected to the AC neutral wire. Which is it? (Asked March 18, 2021)
Does the Honda em6500SX generator have a tracking device on it GPS (Asked July 15, 2021)
The unit does not feature a GPS tracker.
does it charge onboard battery while running (Asked October 30, 2021)
The generator charges the battery while the engine is running.
Where is the Honda EM6500SX manufactured? (Asked February 01, 2023)
The EM6500SX is manufactured in China.
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