Honda EM6500SX - 5500/6500W Portable Generator

In a nutshell, the Honda EM6500SX is a portable generator mostly geared towards:

• RV travellers wishing to enhance their freedom and nomad lifestyle
• Occasional participants of outdoor events, competitions, concerts and festivals
• Food truck owners who want to ensure that their business is fully self-contained and does not rely on potentially unreliable external power
• Homeowners who want to be able to use the most necessary devices in their household, even during a blackout
• Professionals who want to be able to deliver results, even during a power failure

The following sections will present you in detail its power characteristics, the different outlets it offers, its overall portability, the extra features it benefits from, and any relevant emission compliance details.

Power & Run Time

The Honda EM6500SX

The Honda EM6500SX's design includes a gasoline-fueled 389 cc Honda iGX390 OHV 4-stroke engine. With a 120/240V output, it gives a running wattage of 5,500W and also a peak wattage of 6,500W (and even up to 7,000 W thanks to the iAVR technology).

With a noise rating of 64 dBA (just slightly more noisy than a normal conversation), the generator features a simple traditional pull-start mechanism, but also a simple and elegant electric starter (battery included). The EM6500SX can also be remotely started, offering further convenience (via the My Generator App).

With a full tank, the EM6500SX can operate for around 9.8 hours at 50% load (fuel consumption around 0.63 GPH), thanks to its fuel capacity of 6.2 gallons.

As the EM6500SX has a relatively high THD (<10%), it is not recommended to use it to power sensitive electronic devices.

Outlets

The control panel features the following 6 AC outlets:

Furthermore, it has 1 DC outlet: there's a 12V 8A output with which charging your batteries is made easy.

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 it features a twist-lock L14-30R receptacle, the EM6500SX is transfer switch ready: in case of a power outage, you will be easily able to connect it to a breaker box and power your household.

Portability

The Honda EM6500SX has the following dimensions: L41.4 x W27.8 x H28.3 in. In combination with its conventional, open frame design, they provide support and allow the generator to be raised above ground level. The device has been designed for tough 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, thanks to its wheel kit and its folding handle (a decent solution to its lack of maneuverability), the generator can be easily moved, once placed 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.

From a security standpoint, the product offers an automatic low oil shut-off (Oil Alert®) and an overload protection (circuit breaker), allowing you to use it with a peace of mind.

Accessory-wise, along with the previously mentioned features, the Honda EM6500SX is packaged with the standard documentation and an owner's manual (opens in a new tab), helping you start the device right away. 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, so it is adequate for use in forested areas.

In addition, the unit meets the ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 safety and performance requirements.