Is 'Honda' showing on the engine block or is it a chonda, a Chinese clone? Also, a number of manufacturers like Powermate and others use Honda engines because of brand recognition but the generators are poor quality.

Yep, its an actual honda engine. What I wondered about was the generator head. The manufacturer claims that it has less than 5% voltage variance and is suitable for use with computers and other sensitive electronics.

Thanks.

i have yet to see any gen set that was truly suitable for electronics. my advice is that if you are going to use a genny, buy a couple of UPS's and throw them on any PC, tv or homeheater system you will be using. that or unplug those devices while on genny. most gensets are fairly stable when running, but they can surge pretty good on start up and when running out of fuel. i have a GOOD(cost about 5k back in '94) honda 5kw generator that i have yet to find a tv that will work on it without a UPS.

Not just any old UPS would do. You'll want one that does line conditioning. There are other factors involved with choosing the right UPS but you can read about that here.

My 10000 watt briggs gen set has a voltage regular on it. Says its fine for electronics. Either way I still plug them into a power strip with a breaker to protect them.

If you have an expensive sensitive stereo, tv, computer, etc. system, a line conditioner is still recommended. The gensets can be good but they are not instaneous to new loads. Optimally, you'd want something to smooth out the spikes and dips, a power strip won't do that.

Hi,

If you have sensitive electronics I would recomend the Honda is7000AB generator. This generator actually runs not at 3,600 rpm, but at a variable speed depending on power demand. So it actually generates D.C. This is then converted to A.C. using power electronics within the generator unit. I.E. it has it's own inverter built in.

Best, Mike.

Honda and Yamaha inverter generators provide very clean power and are designed to protect the appliance if the unit shuts down. They are not cheap but as usual, you get what you pay for.

loboy, a simple question: do you run the equipment straight off utility power? If not (i.e., you use a UPS), assume the same precaution is needed with a generator. ANY generator.

A surge strip or power strip is fine for lights, radios, portable/small TVs you use in your kitchen. For "real" electronics, you need a "real" UPS.

Having a generator is only half the battle. Load distribution, fuel management and protecting the devices it's running are another subject--a very necessary subject, nonetheless--entirely.