Honda generator repair cost

[Kyle Tucker]

Hi all,
I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
the brushes and other components than to just buy a
new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:

1. Do both these cost assessments seem correct?

2. If so, how does Honda get away with this?

3. If not, can I find the components and do it for a
fairly cost efficient amount?

4. If not, what are the chances of finding another unit
with a burned out/failed engine from which I could
cannabilize the generator.

5. Is there a center or website that would be able to
track this down or do I just need to start making calls?

6. Should I just go and buy another unit? It won't be a
Honda as I won't give my business to them if this repair
pricing is correct.

Thanks much.

 

[mark Ransley]

Your dealer sounds like he is overpriced. Get your unit back and look
at the damage , My unit has a screen to small for mice to get in. Did
you actualy see damage, it could be your field has demagnitised.

 

[SQLit]

Hi all,
I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
the brushes and other components than to just buy a
new generator. And the replacement cost of the entire
generator component (not engine, frame, etc.) would
be $2700! I was amazed. With that, my questions are:

1. Do both these cost assessments seem correct?

Yes they are in the business to sell new equipment, not spare parts. No
matter how much we would like them to be reasonable about spare parts they
just do not have to. All manufactures are like this. Ever wrecked a car?

2. If so, how does Honda get away with this?

3. If not, can I find the components and do it for a
fairly cost efficient amount?

Possibly I would first try some other venues, indepenant shops etc.
Personally carberators and small generators are not my strong suite.

4. If not, what are the chances of finding another unit
with a burned out/failed engine from which I could
cannabilize the generator.

Start looking it will be a chore and you will not know what you are getting

5. Is there a center or website that would be able to
track this down or do I just need to start making calls?

Unknown to me

6. Should I just go and buy another unit? It won't be a
Honda as I won't give my business to them if this repair
pricing is correct.

Up to you mate.

Thanks much.

It is never easy plunking down money and then have the dealer be so
unyielding.

 

[Kyle Tucker]

Your dealer sounds like he is overpriced. Get your unit back and look
at the damage , My unit has a screen to small for mice to get in. Did
you actualy see damage, it could be your field has demagnitised.

I have not yet seen the damage, but I have no reason to distrust
them. I have bought pieces of Stihl equipment from them and their
prices are far lower than anyone else in the NH/MA area. And the
service tech couldn't have been more sympathetic and apologetic if
he was a family member. He was seemingly bummed he couldn't fix it
for me. ???

 

[mark Ransley]

Well you can buy a New EM 5000 sxk1 for 2300. A new EB 5000 xk1 for
2000.. And a new Honda 11 hp for 765 not to mention everything else
thats still good. Nice Guy , maybe, honest ? 2700 ? Shop for a
unit on the internet. I still say most units wont let in mice, mine
wont . You realy should examine it.

 

[Nick Hull]

Your dealer sounds like he is overpriced. Get your unit back and look
at the damage , My unit has a screen to small for mice to get in. Did
you actualy see damage, it could be your field has demagnitised.

My Honda sometimes fails to output, I just flash the field with 12 volts
and it operates fine. Always try cheap first.

 

[Seth]

Is there anything in particular that makes this generator so expensive?
From the model name, it appears to be a 5000watt unit. I have a Coleman
5000watt (6250 peak) that I bought from Home Depot. They currently carry
the newer model for $529. Mine has 4 120 and 1 240 outlet, the new ones
have 2 120 and 1 240 outlet.

In viewing it's specs online
(http://www.generatorsale.com/generators/em5000.htm), it doesn't appear to
be anything special. In fact, my Coleman, at least to me, not a generator
expert, appears to spec out better (5000 vs. 4500 non-peak output, puts out
both 120 and 240 simultaneously).

What's makes this puppy so expensive???

 

[mark Ransley]

The honda has a motor that will last 2 to three times longer than a
coleman and the output is regulated and stable , within maybe 3 volts.
your coleman probably starts at 135 and drops to 118 under full load.
not so good for some electronics.

 

[Howard Epstein]

Hope your dealer is not the same dealer as mine in the NH/MA area
because he is a crook. If you e-mail me directly I will give you his
name.

If you have not used it in some time it is simply demagnetized.
Disconnect the Voltage or Power Regulator and apply a 12 V lawn or car
battery in proper polarity to the field and start the generator. Make
sure all leads to the Voltage or Power Regulator are disconnected.
Flashing it will sometimes work only once if your generator is not
re-magnetized as described.

Regards,

Howard Epstein
[email protected]

 

[Nick Hull]

This procedure isn't in the owner's manual - I suspect it's
in the service manual though. Is this procedure online somewhere
or can someone outline it step by step? I don't even know what
"the field" is.

If you can work with electronice it's easy. In my case (Honda EMS 4500)
I just put a connector (with diode for protection) attached to the field
brushes (watch polarity). To flash, I connect the 12 volt starting
battery for a few seconds. 12 vdc to the field gets it generating
enough for the voltage controller to start, and the diode prevents
backfeed to the battery.