Honda Generator Mistakes I Made So You Don't Have To – FAQ for Buyers & Owners

Which Honda generator should I buy for my job site? (And how I got this wrong)

Look, I'll be honest: my first generator purchase was a total shot in the dark. I needed something for a construction site in Baton Rouge, and I grabbed the biggest portable I could find—an EB5000. Big mistake. It was way overkill for a crew running lights, a chop saw and a radio. I ended up lugging around a 200-pound beast when a lighter inverter model would've done the job.

Here's what I learned (the hard way):
- For light duty (tailgating, camping, home backup): EU2200i or EU2000i. Super quiet, fuel efficient.
- For job sites with multiple tools: EU3000is or EU7000is if you need serious power.
- For contractor grade with wheels and lower cost: EG6500CL is a solid choice—I actually bought one later for a rental fleet. It's not as quiet as an inverter, but it's built like a tank.

The EG6500CL specifically gets a lot of questions. It's a conventional (non-inverter) generator with a GX390 engine. If you're powering pumps or welders, it's fine. But if you need clean power for sensitive electronics, get an inverter model. I learned that after frying a laptop charger. (Not my proudest moment.)

Where can I find a reliable Honda generator dealer in Baton Rouge?

I'm based in Louisiana, so this one hits close to home. When I started, I just Googled "honda generator dealer in Baton Rouge" and picked the first result. Bad idea. The place had terrible after-sale support—took three weeks to get a spark plug for an EG6500CL.

What I do now:

• Check if they're an authorized Honda Power Equipment dealer (Honda's website has a dealer locator).
• Call and ask: "How fast can you get a carburetor for an EU3000is?" If they hesitate, move on.
• Look for service center listings—if they do repairs in-house, they likely stock parts.

One place I've had good luck with is Acme Electric (not affiliated, just my experience as of late 2024). They actually knew the difference between the EG6500CL and the EB6500—surprisingly, not every dealer does.

Is a Predator silent generator as good as a Honda? (Spoiler: it depends)

I have mixed feelings about the Predator silent generators from Harbor Freight. On one hand, they're cheap—like a third of the price of an equivalent Honda. On the other hand, I've seen two Predator units fail within 50 hours of use. A customer brought one to our shop, and the piston ring was gone. You get what you pay for.

That said, for someone who only needs a generator once or twice a year for a home backup, a Predator might work. But for daily commercial use? Honestly, I wouldn't risk it. I tried a Predator 3500 inverter for a weekend job—vibration was worse than my EU2200i, and the noise was way higher (they claim "silent," but it's not).

Bottom line: if you need reliability and resale value, stick with Honda. If budget is the only concern, read reviews carefully. (I keep a spreadsheet of failures—out of 13 Predator units I've seen in the field, 4 had major issues within a year.)

Can I use a wheel battery charger on my Honda generator?

This question comes up a lot—people see "wheel battery charger" and think it'll work to charge the generator's battery (if it has an electric start). The short answer: not recommended unless the battery charger is designed for deep-cycle or starting batteries.

I made this mistake in 2022. I bought a cheap wheel charger from AutoZone (the kind you roll around) and hooked it up to my EU7000is's battery. Within two days, the battery was swollen. Turns out those chargers pump a constant high amperage that's fine for car batteries after a jump, but they overcharge small generator batteries. Use a maintenance charger or a smart trickle charger instead. (Which, honestly, I should've known—but we all learn.)

If you're asking because your generator's battery is dead, just remove the battery and bring it to a parts store. They'll test it for free. (As of January 2025, that still works.)

How to remove spark plug from my Honda generator? (And what NOT to do)

I'll admit: the first time I removed a spark plug from a Honda GX engine, I stripped the threads. Cost me $80 for a new cylinder head and a week of downtime. So let me save you the pain.

Step-by-step (from someone who's broken things):

1. Let the engine cool down completely. (Hot threads expand and are easier to strip.)
2. Clean the area around the spark plug with compressed air or a brush. Dirt falling into the cylinder = compression loss.
3. Use a spark plug socket (usually 13/16" or 5/8" depending on model) with a rubber insert to grip the plug. Don't use a regular deep socket—the ceramic insulator can crack.
4. Turn counter-clockwise. If it's tight, a little penetrating oil (like WD-40) helps. Don't force it—I once used a breaker bar and snapped the plug. Seriously.
5. When reinstalling, hand-tighten first, then use a torque wrench. Most Honda generators spec 15-20 ft-lbs (check your manual). Overtightening = stripped threads.

I now keep a spark plug thread chaser in my toolbox. Best $12 I ever spent. (Wish I'd bought it before 2019.)

What maintenance mistakes cost me money? (My top 3)

After eight years in this business, I've made pretty much every mistake you can make. Here are the ones that hurt the most:

1. Not changing the oil often enough. Honda's manual says every 100 hours. I pushed it to 150 once on an EG6500CL—the engine started smoking. Oil change: $10. New rings: $300. I now set a timer on my phone.

2. Forgetting to drain the carburetor before storage. This is a classic. I stored an EU2000i over winter without draining. Come spring, the carb was gummed up. Cleaning cost $60 plus my time. Now I run the fuel shutoff until the engine dies. (Takes 30 seconds.)

3. Using the wrong spark plug gap. I once ordered a bunch of NGK spark plugs online—turns out they were pre-gapped for a different model. The generator ran rough, surged under load. Took me a week to figure it out. Now I always check the gap with a tool (0.028"-0.031" for most Honda GX engines, but verify your model).

This was accurate as of Q1 2025. Engine specifications vary by model, so double-check your owner's manual before digging in.