Honda Generator Buying Guide
Honda Generator Usage
Domestic Use
All domestic appliances are very sensitive to the quality of the electricity, unlike robust professional equipment. So Honda has developed high technology generators that produce good quality voltage and have a uper-stable frequency. This allows your quipment to work at its maximum efficiency and ensure a long appliance life time.
Recommended products: Portable, manoeuvrable High-tech.
Leisure Use
Quiet, portable, and practical. For accessible ower wherever and whenever you need t, Honda's cutting-edge technology has reated incredibly compact, quiet and fuel fficient products.
Recommended products: Portable.
Semi-Professional Use
For when you need basic electricity and a reliable product. Typical applications are powering robust industrial equipment and also emergency situations – where reliability is a priority.
Recommended products: Endurance.
Professional Use
For those who need the best of the best. With Honda generators, powered by our world-renowned engines, you can expect a quality product. With generators, the quality of electricity can be difficult to gauge: you plug in your power tool, and it works. Professionals not only need a strong and durable generator, but also be assured that any appliance they plug in will perform to its maximum and not lose power. In the long-term, low quality electricity can damage and decrease the life-time of your tools.
Recommended products: Endurance High Performance, Endurance High-tech, Manoeuvrable High-tech.
Power Requirements
To determine which Honda generator is best suited to your application, refer to the individual appliance data plate for actual power specifications. See the chart below for a quick reference guide to typical application power ranges.
Application Type
To determine which type of generator you need it is important to first identify the 'load' category your appliance falls into. There are three types of load:
Resistive Loads
Resistive loads are the simplest loads you can connect to a generator. They have a stable power consumption (extra start-up power is not needed). Application performance is also not dependent on the quality of the electricity output, i.e. the voltage waveform or frequency stability.
Examples of resistive loads include:
- Light bulb
- Toaster
- Electric heater
Reactive Loads
Reactive loads contain an electric motor. Performance is highly dependent on the quality of electricity input, i.e. the voltage waveform quality and frequency stability. Poor electricity output generates vibration and therefore low electric motor performance. This means the motor cannot achieve maximum speed or torque, resulting in overheating and can ultimately shorten motor life. In addition, reactive loads require additional power to start, but significantly less power to run once the motor gets going.
Examples of reactive loads include:
- Power tool
- Refrigerator / freezer
- Air conditioner
Items such as saws and drills are 'reactive loads' and while the running load may be small, the starting load can range from between 2x to 5x the running load.
Electronic Loads
Electronic loads are from appliances containing electronics that are highly sensitive to the quality of electrical input. These appliances require stable electricity to operate correctly and consistently.
Examples of electronic loads include:
- Computer
- Television
- Hi-Fi
Quality of Power Output
Whatever load you are plugging in, a high quality electricity output will enhance the life time of your application. Reactive loads will require very high quality electricity for better performance. Electronic loads could even fail if the electricity quality is not high enough.
To achieve high quality electricity output, you need good regulation of voltage and power. There are several different technology types available to regulate the voltage and power on a generator, each with different advantages:
Condenser / Inductive
Condenser or inductive generators are the most popular in the industry. The simplicity of technology makes these generators cost effective and reliable. Ideally suited for applications with resistive loads.
AVR
Many Honda generators feature an Automatic Voltage Regulator, or AVR, designed to consistently control voltage. Power regulation is electronically controlled, which allows for better voltage and frequency stability. The AVR helps keep the output voltage more constant and less dependent on the load. This means less drop in power or power spikes. AVR technology significantly enhances the performance and operating lifetime of reactive load applications.
Digital AVR
Digital Automatic Voltage Regulator (D-AVR) has a significant advantage over the traditional AVR, giving a smoother and more efficient output. This new output technology has several application benefits over AVR, such as minimising flickering lights.
Cyclo Converter
Honda's patented Cyclo Converter technology is based on Inverter technology, but uses a simplified electronic voltage control system. Cyclo Converter generators are compact and lightweight, giving higher quality electricity than AVR generators, as the electricity output is not directly linked to the engine rpm. These generators are ideal for both industrial and leisure applications.
Inverter
Inverter generators, pioneered by Honda back in 1987, give high quality clean power and are not rpm dependent. The cuttingedge technology allows for an exceptionally compact product, with an alternator almost half the size of more traditional generators. Ideal for powering highly sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, Inverters provide optimised electricity for reactive loads and electronic loads, ensuring the best application performance and product longevity. Inverter generators offer a number of other benefits, including less noise, lower weight, and greater fuel efficiency when compared to traditional models.
Sound Level
Most generators are labelled with a decibel rating. For every increase of 10 decibels, the sound level is 10x more powerful, but will only sound twice as loud to the ear. For example, a generator that runs at 100 decibels is twice as loud as a generator that runs at 90 decibels. However, Honda generators are renowned for their quiet operation. The chart above shows comparative decibel noise level ranges for each Honda generator group.
Sound levels measured at workstation (EN809:1998/AC:2001).
Portable and Compact
Consider how you will be moving and storing the generator. If portability is a major issue, look for:
- Our portable EU10i, EU20i andEU30i generators
- Our professional portable EU26i, EU30is,EM65is and EU65is generators
Honda's clever output technology allows our generators to be made much smaller and lighter, so you can power your products wherever you go.
Fuel Efficiency and Run-Time
Ideally, you should look for a generator that not only offers performance and reliability, but is also fuel efficient and has a long run-time. Honda generators offer several features that meet these needs. Honda Inverter generators feature our exclusive Eco-ThrottleTM, which automatically adjusts the engine speed to match the power needed. This allows for maximum fuel efficiency. Through continued research and development, coupled with Honda's superior technology, our generators produce the best fuel consumption figures on the market. Our EU generators are so fuel efficient they boast incredibly long run times – as much as 20 hours on a single tank of fuel.
Maximum Power Vs Rated Power
Generators are often advertised with their maximum power wattage. But you'll also see 'rated power' listed in their specifications. In general, use rated power to determine if a generator will be able to adequately power your applications continuously.
Maximum Power
The maximum output that a generator can produce over a short period.
Rated Power
The power that a generator can produce for long periods of time, typically 90% of the maximum power.
True Power
Honda's generators are unique in that the model name labelling on our products is the actual maximum power output.
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