The Ultimate Honda EU7000iS 7000-Watt Gasoline Portable Inverter Generator Review

The Honda EU7000iS is one of the most advanced generators available today. It’s one of the most powerful inverter generators you can buy; its engine comes with fuel injection, and it’s Bluetooth compatible. Add in Honda’s reputation for rock-solid reliability, and you have one of the best generators you can buy, albeit at a steep price. How can it fit your needs for RV, commercial or home backup power? Do the features justify the price tag? We’ve taken an in-depth look at this 7000 watt 120/240V inverter generator with CO-MINDER to see if the features add up to a compelling offering. While this Honda EU7000iS review includes everything you need to know about setup, use and owner experiences, we know some of you just want to get to the point.

Want to skip the details? See a summary of the Honda EU7000iS here.

Honda EU7000iS 7000-Watt Gasoline Portable Inverter Generator

Description and Specifications

With 7,000 peak watts and 5,500 running watts, this is one of the most powerful inverter generators you can buy. Thanks to advanced features, like smartphone connectivity and fuel injection, this generator is also easy to use and maintain. Add in a commercial engine and a full enclosure, and you have a generator that is equally suited to professional and consumer use.

Engine and Power Output

This generator uses a GX390 engine, which is equipped with electronic fuel injection. It comes with an electric starter as well as a recoil start backup.

By itself, the EU7000iS produces 7,000 peak watts and 5,500 running watts. It also supports a parallel connection, letting you link two of these generators together for a total of 14,000 peak watts and 11,000 running watts. Since this is an inverter generator, there’s extra circuitry between the alternator and the outlets to smooth out the flow of electricity. This makes it safe to use the EU7000iS to power electronics.

Thanks to EFI, the air/fuel ratio is adjusted automatically. That means you don’t have to swap carburetor jets when you use your generator at high altitudes. There’s also no need for a choke, and the engine starts easily in cold weather. However, if you regularly use your generator in extreme cold, you will need to install a breather heater kit to prevent ice buildup in the crankcase ventilation tube.

Fuel injectors are less sensitive to stale fuel than carburetors, the Achilles heel of most home backup power generators. Honda recommends using fuel within the first 30 days of purchase, which is standard for the industry. However, fuel treated with a stabilizer can be left in the tank for up to a year, far longer than the three months typically recommended for carburetor-equipped engines.

Honda recommends changing the engine oil after the first month or 20 hours of use. After that, the only regular maintenance is an air filter cleaning every three months or 50 hours and oil changes every six months or 100 hours. Honda recommends taking the generator to a dealer every year or 300 hours for valve clearance adjustments and more in-depth maintenance every two years. Service access panels on the sides of the generator open after turning a single screw.

Tank Capacity, Fuel Economy, and Runtime

If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient Honda generator, it’s hard to beat the performance of this model. The EU7000iS comes with a 5.1-gallon fuel tank with a built-in gas gauge. According to Honda, you can expect this generator to run for 6.4 hours at maximum load, eight hours at 50% load, and 16 hours at 25% load. Like most modern generators, this model has an automatic throttle, adjusting engine speed according to load. Thanks to its use of EFI, the engine responds to changes faster than carburetor-equipped engines, preventing sag that can result in brownouts under major load changes.

Breakdown of the Control Panel and Outlets

• – 1 14-50R, 120 or 240 volts
• – 1 L4-30R, 120 volts
• – 2 5-20R GFCI, 120 volts

The 14-50R outlet supplies either 120 or 240 volt electricity, which can be selected using a switch on the front panel. 240-volt power is single phase, which works with large RV air conditioners. However, it can’t run most 240-volt appliances since they require three-phase power. The parallel kit, which links two of these generators together, includes a box with its own 14-50R outlet. The smaller L4-30R outlet only supports 120-volt power. Two 5-20R outlets let you connect household appliances and standard extension cords to this generator. These outlets have GFCI protection, shutting off automatically in the event of a short. All outlets have rubber covers, protecting them during transport and storage.

The EU7000iS is transfer switch compatible. A transfer switch disconnects your home from the grid, rerouting connections to the generator. This provides uninterrupted power. Transfer switches must be installed by a licensed electrician.

The iMonitor display on the front panel shows engine RPM and power output. It also keeps track of operating hours and displays error codes, making it easy to keep track of maintenance and identify problems. Using the MyGenerator App, you can see all the information displayed by the iMonitor on your phone as well as check the fuel level and get an estimated runtime.

Dimensions and Weight

This generator weighs 263.2 lbs. It measures 33.4” x 27.6” x 28.4” with the handles folded. With the handles extended, the length increases to 47.2”. This is heavy compared to generators with a similar output. However, those generators aren’t enclosed, which makes them far louder than this Honda.

Noise and Safety

Enclosures are common for small generators, but they almost unheard of in this size class. Thanks to ample sound insulation around the already quiet GX-series engine, this generator makes just 58 dBA of noise at full throttle. Under 1/4 load, this drops to 52 dBA. The service panels are easy to remove, giving you full access to the engine for maintenance and repairs.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious safety issue for portable generators. In response, Honda developed CO-MINDER: Advanced Carbon Monoxide Detection System. CO-MINDER is a carbon monoxide sensor that can cut power to the engine with CO levels get too high. While other manufacturers are starting to add their own sensors to their generators, Honda was the first on the market with this system.

Portability of the Honda EU7000iS Generator

At 263 lbs., this 7,000-watt generator weighs as much as some 12,000-watt models. Fortunately, Honda includes wheels and a folding handle, making this model easy to roll around. Like other generators this size, getting these parts on can be a chore, since you need to lift the generator to bolt on the wheels. The frame has two large metal hoops on top. While lifting from these hoops is awkward, they’re the perfect place to tie down the generator for transport.

Certifications and Warranty

There are two versions of this generator: The Honda EU7000iSNAN is a 49 state version, while the Honda EU7000iSNAG is the California version. Both models meet EPA emissions requirements, but only the Honda EU7000iSNAG is CARB-certified. If you plan on using your generator for RV shore power, be sure you’re ordering the right model so that you can legally use it in all 50 states. Both models also come with a USDA-approved spark arrester, so they meet the fire safety requirements for most areas.

Honda guarantees this generator for three years of use with no hour limit. This warranty covers both consumers and commercial users. The warranty covers both parts and labor.

Common Problems and Parts

You can’t buy a generator with better parts availability, service and support than this Honda. The company doesn’t just have the biggest dealer’s network. Parts are readily available at dealers and online, and virtually every small engine mechanic has some experience with their products.

Problems are rare on this model, and the few it did have during its introduction have been ironed out. This was mostly limited to a handful of generators having faulty starters. Owners occasionally report these two issues:

• The recoil starter takes a lot of strength to turn over.
• Freezing can be a problem, unless you have the breather heater kit installed.

Otherwise, both consumer and commercial users report trouble-free operation for hundreds and, sometimes, thousands of hours.

As mentioned earlier, EFI handles stale fuel far better than carburetors. As long as you add a stabilizer with your gasoline, it can last up to a year. For longer storage, Honda recommends filling the tank with stabilized gas. This reduces the oxygen inside the tank, slowing degradation.

Additional Features

The Honda EU7000iS is compatible with Honda’s MyGenerator app. This app lets you start and stop the generator, and check oil life and operating hours. It also gives you maintenance reminders. While MyGenerator works with several Honda generators, this is the only model that transmits fuel information to the app. This lets you check the fuel level and get a runtime estimate based on the current electrical load. The app connects to the generator via Bluetooth, and works up to 75 feet away. The MyGenerator app is available on Android and iOS devices.

Price

The MSRP for this generator is $5,549, and at the time of this writing, it’s selling for $4,600 at The Home Depot. That’s more than double the price of its closest competitor. Because of its reliability, safety features and power, this adds up to a strong value for the price.

What Are Consumers Saying About the Honda EU7000iS 7000 Watt Portable Inverter Generator?

It’s hard to find anyone who has something bad to say about this super-quiet, commercial grade electric start Honda generator. From homeowners looking for backup power to tradespeople and food truck operators, owners report unfailing reliability in all but the most extreme circumstances. Looking back on reviews, you can find a few people who got generators with faulty starters. However, this issue hasn’t been reported in the past five years, so it’s unlikely that you’ll have this problem in a new generator. The only issue people have with recent generators is starting in severe cold weather. Honda’s breather heater kit is made to solve this problem. If you plan on winter use, be sure this kit is installed. Owners frequently praise the low noise level and low fuel consumption, especially in comparison to similar-sized generators.

Even if a generator is normally well built, owners often have problems when they contact companies for support. That’s not the case with Honda. Support is readily available, both directly from Honda and from their massive dealer network. The company also has product support videos and FAQs on their site, so most of the time, you can find solutions to common problems yourself. The only question to ask is whether the high quality, features and support justify the eye-watering price tag.

Is the Honda EU7000iS 7,000 Watt Portable Inverter Generator for You?

Is this a great generator? Yes. Is it worth the price tag? Maybe. While the EU7000iS has its advantages, picking a generator with fewer features will be easier on your wallet.

If you’re looking for reliable home backup that works with all of your appliances, this generator is a great choice. This is one of just a handful of high output generators with an inverter, so it can safely power your kitchen appliances and your electronics. Connect two generators with a parallel cable, and they should be able to power everything in your home except central heating and air. You also don’t need to worry about stale fuel, which is important for a generator that sees use at random intervals.

If you want an RV shore power solution, this generator is hard to beat. It’s as quiet as most 2,000 watt portable generators, so you won’t disturb your neighbors. It has an inverter and 240 volt support, so it can power everything in any size of RV. Want no-fuss operation? Improved cold starting and control via the MyGenerator app make it easy to operate. Just make sure you’re buying the CARB-approved EU7000iSNAG if you plan on using it in California or Quebec.

Is it a good work generator? That depends on the type of work you do. If you need something for tools, you probably don’t need an inverter or heavy sound insulation. In that case, you can save money by choosing a less sophisticated generator, even if it’s made by Honda. However, if you need to power electronics or limit noise, this is a fantastic choice. This has made the EU7000iS a popular power source for food trucks, mobile storefronts and outdoor exhibition booths.

Why Choose Honda?

Honda is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, and they sell two of the top 10 best-selling cars in America. The company is also a major player in the outdoor equipment industry. However, there is no area they have been more dominant in than the portable generator market. They introduced the first modern portable generator, the E300, in 1965. Since then, nearly every innovation in the market made its debut in a Honda. Even as new players enter the industry, Honda retains a 29% share in the North American market. Their closest competitor holds less than 20% of the market.

Inverter vs Standard Generators

What’s the difference between an inverter and a standard generator? Both types of generators have an engine that drives an alternator. The alternator makes alternating current, the type of electricity used by household devices. Standard generators send that current directly to the outlets. Due to interference from the engine’s electrical system and variations in alternator speed, this current doesn’t make a smooth shift between negative and positive polarity. This interference, called total harmonic distortion (THD), can be as high as 20%. These power fluctuations don’t cause problems with heating elements and electric motors, but they can overload and burn out circuitry in electronics.

An inverter generator, like the Honda EU7000iS, adds a rectifier and an inverter between the alternator and the outlets. The rectifier turns the electricity from the alternator into direct current. The inverter turns this direct current back into alternating current. This process filters out interference, resulting in a TDC under 3%. This electricity is nearly identical to grid power, and won’t damage electronics.

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