Thread: Dud Generator

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I have had one of those "two stroke nasties" since April 2004. It cost $99 and has performed flawlessly the whole time. I fitted a vibratory hour meter to it when new and it had done over 500 hours when I found another use for the meter. That was over three years ago. It runs my fridge and lights when at swap meets and camping, commonly for 12-14 hour sessions. Depending on load, it runs 8-10 hours on a 4.5 litre tank of fuel. It has also been used on the 240 volt outlet to power a 5/8" AEG drill, a heat gun, and after a couple of summer thunderstorm blackouts, a standard lamp and a Tv whilst awaiting the mains power to be restored.

Why would one pay from four to ten times the price just to have a Honda nameplate on something that does not do the job any better? Maybe Honda spare parts are available somewhere in the world but are they available at your local dealer? Or does he show you pictures and say "I'll get it from Melbourne/Tokyo/Bangkok for you, freight your cost"? In any case the parts will be at Honda's usual doubly outrageous prices.

The other consideration is whether repair is economically feasible. Two hours labour and a few parts at Honda prices will easily run up $300-$400.

the primary problem with them is quality control...

I've had several, mostly given to me as payment for one job or another sometimes they're great other times they shake themselves apart, wont govern correctly, size bearings, cook the windings all sorts of mischief. Occasionally you get a gem that lasts for years and does what its dearer named models do.

often when one of the cheapies carks it its worth hanging onto it just incase the next one lets go just out of warranty youve then got a stock of convenient parts in easy to store format.