30 Year Old Generator Honda EM500

[@Mr_Roman-]

I'm from Ukraine, Kyiv. I have Honda EM650Z, it's very good generator, 15 years of service and no problems, only cleaning the carburetor and replacing the spark plug. Old Japanese school, that's not the shit they do in China now. I took it on hunting trips, Land Rover trips to light the camp, and charge the iPhone, MacBook, he could even boil a small electric kettle. Last winter, Russia bombed power plants in Ukraine. The Russians wanted the Ukrainians to freeze and be without electricity this winter, but we all bought ourselves powerful generators of 6-9 kW. All power grids and power plants have now been restored. I bought myself a powerful generator, and gave this small Honda to the army of Ukraine, it is very convenient for them to charge radio stations, laptops, DJI quadcopters. Now this Honda is at war))))))

[@scoizvisagie5506]

My father and uncles bought this exact generator for my grand father many years ago. He owned a farm in rural South Africa with no electricity. The family frequently visited him on the farm over weekends and that is when our national sport, rugby, was broadcasted on the local television - problem solved - small black and white, orange colored Tube TV and the EM500 generator. That was close to 40 years ago. I am now the 3rd generation owner of this little Honda. Thank you very much for this tutorial, this weekend I will strip this little gem and make it new again.

[@INTERNA9]

Wow!

[@awsfernandez63]

Im glad i found your video! I just got one today at an estate sale for $10! I hope I can get it running.

[@razzorbladz]

DUDE THATS NOT UGLY!! retro is cool

[@hamrite]

Yep, same good surprise for me with a EM300 three day ago, just checked a very dirty spark plug, second pull and BAM !!! Honda did great stuff already 50 years ago !!

[@carey_metv]

My grandpa just gave me one of these. He always made sure to drain the fuel out when he put it up. and took real good care of it. Trying to learn a little bit about it before I play with it. Thanks for the video!

[@hinspect]

The HONDA EM500 is a great little generator. I have one that a distant aquatintance gave to me because they were moving accross Country and didn't want to drag it along. It was in new condition but wouldn't start when I received it. I drained the Fuel Tank and rebuilt the Carburetor. It always started on the first pull after I cleaned all the corrosion in the Carburetor. Ethanol in the Gasoline, especially sitting for a while will ruin a small Engine, they are not designed to use that type of Fuel. In my opinion, you claimed it would be a $100.00 loss but you could easily sell that little Generator for at least $600.00 or so. Thanks for the Video

[@design2survive]

I have it at the cabin..but maybe I will try to sell it. Yeah it seems like people will buy them if they are running well. We are about to upgrade the generator situation at the cabin and it might be worth the trade.

[@alanb76]

Bought one of these new, years ago. Wish I still had it. Very cute and useful little generator.

[@design2survive]

Alan Biocca it’s sitting at the cabin now..we’ll see if it starts in the spring!

[@brigittebutler9473]

I have one if you are interested. it has been sitting a while, I am sure it needs a tune-up

[@jamesbubnick]

I got one of these for 20 bucks today, the carb needs a rebuild but it is almost 100% rust free, it looks like a time capsule. A few months ago I got a EX650 but this one is even cooler.

[@Gilly14]

I've been following Darin aka Mustie1 for about 7 years now and he is hands down the Yoda of all mechanical power anything.

[@design2survive]

Gilbert Maldonado He is great!

[@ronalddaub7965]

Those things are over engineered and better than what you buy nowadays keep it fix it use it

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Just got one of these from Grandpa that was sitting in the barn for 30 years.

[@andrewesposito7573]

Wow! What a great find,I've never seen a non-red colored Honda gennie.It would look awesome with a fresh paint job (hint) :) Just for the record,I also follow Mustie1,he's in southern New Hampshire,a fellow New Englander.Hope to see the Honda in action at the cabin,my best to you and the D2S family1

[@design2survive]

Andrew Esposito I know right..it looked too “hot rod” to pass up. Always glad to hear from you!

[@mack88v8]

It's Honda red on the side cover's mate

[@heritagesofty]

I just got one of these. Real clean and new looking. Starts to surge after a couple of minutes. Not sure what to do first.

[@design2survive]

They have an automatic choke..so it might need to be adjusted. It’s pretty sensitive.

[@glenkisela8550]

I seen on eBay they sell for like $1,200 each for that kind of generator that is one of the best generators that Honda made...

[@geoh7349]

they are actually pretty valuble units go look on ebay. i wouldnt leave that in some cabin thats for sure. put a cheap harbor frieght one in there

[@COLLAR01]

That thing is my go-to hunting camping gen., LED lights and fills your air mattress.

[@quickturn66]

I bought a em600 for $125 , the guy thought he was getting one over on me because when I got home it wouldn’t run right. Turns out the automatic choke was improperly adjusted and after fixing that it ran perfectly. It’s in mint condition.

[@rickc.4294]

I just pulled one out that someone gave me that had at least 7 year old gas and it started first pull. I was completely astonished.

[@paulmcvay1625]

Looks like you got yourself a good deal there, can't go too far wrong with anything Honda.

[@design2survive]

Paul McVay Yeah..I have a soft spot for these old engines.

[@rafaelestradamoncada4071]

My wife just got one as a gift from her coworker. We plan on using it to power up my cpap while camping

[@barneymiller6204]

I have one too. Definitely use only non-ethanol gas or Tru-fuel in it and run the carb dry after each use.

[@atc6133]

1984 honda atc 200es big reds had a spot on the back rack just for the em 500 generator

[@greanfinisher4014]

My brother gave me a used Honda EM500 portable generator yesterday. Well, one thing for sure with this generator is that it won't power my Kelvinator refrigerator. In fact, the refrigerator draws at least 6.0A when the compressor starts up. As soon as the refrigerator was plugged into the Honda EM500 generator, the AC voltage immediately dipped to around 50.0VAC, and stayed there. Oh well, at least I can use the generator to power the window fan and the kitchen stove oven during a power outage Of course, it can be useful in recharging a battery too.

[@poellot]

I just got one. As a mechanic i am never happy with anything used that i do not know the condition or history of, i tore it down. All the way, piston looked great, rod, crank, cylinder, valves. All nearly perfect. Definitely needed a good cleaning inside. It should outlive me now.

[@design2survive]

I was going to sell it..but a few weeks ago we were at freezing temperatures, off grid..dead battery in the car. It fired right up and charged the battery.

[@retroelectro1190]

I ran into one of these... the pull string has a hard time retracting. Tried pulling it over about 10 times and it doesn't want to fire at all. Where did you get your replacement air filter? Also, where'd you get your watch?

[@MickWootton]

I found a em300 and em 500. The 300 is pretty bad, but the 500 started first pull. I'm servicing it now, and the crazy thing is, i took the plug out to look at piston, none there!! Could only see the valves. What kind of asian hoodoo is that??!! Also cool that these are true brushless alternators, didn't expect that in such a small unit

[@ronalddaub7965]

Other than the 50cc suitcase bike he is a smart guy and a good fabricator

[@retrohipster994]

I just got one of these two and it is so close to being Anais unit, unfortunately the previous owner tried to adjust the choke and didn't understand what to do. The cut off the adjustment portion of the bimetallic strip and bent it up. now I'm looking for the part and I can only find a used one on eBay. I might be adding in a manual choke or getting crazy and making a servo and microcontroller based choke. Still, this could be fun either way.

[@ronalddaub7965]

You need to add a little bit of two-stroke oil for each tank to keep the valves happy I don't believe that engine was designed for unleaded just like the others And yes I work on these and I know they're four-stroke engines

[@poellot]

I just rebuild an em500k1. I also have the older em500 tore apart. I cannot say yet for the older one because i have not done much yet but tear it down, but the newer k1 definitely has very hard valves.

[@poellot]

Honda says to pull the head and clean carbon every 100 hours. Its pretty easy to do, but if not done can damage the Piston if it gets to thick.

[@precisiont5188]

Hondas are reliable.

[@matthewperkins1334]

Just gana mention if you paid $100 for it theyre selling for $900-1500 on ebay as there considered vintage

[@billjohnson7347]

Thanks for the video. I have the exact same model and can't get it to start. It was sitting in my fathers garage for years. I drained and replaced the fuel and replaced the spark plug but it won't fire up. Fuel leaks around the petcock. I'm not sure if it's the two 6mm gaskets or the petcock itself.

[@innleadair]

did you find a source or a part number for the air filter foam? Just got a ED300e which is the same as your EM500, but 6volt 12volt and 24volt outputs. The filter in mine is also falling to bits.

[@design2survive]

innleadair jacks small engines.com

[@camronr3286]

I got one for free. Where can I find a new air filter and petcock o rings? And other parts?

[@monkeyfoot5377]

Just got one too, mine wont start, is there a prime button? Or should I mess with the lever on the side that twists? P.s. what kind of watch is that your wearing?

[@design2survive]

Angel Chavez it could be that the choke is not adjusted correctly. There is a certain measurement you need..but I don’t have it.. Nixon regulus watch..

[@ronalddaub7965]

Musty tried to tell me that a lawn boy engine was 50 cc and I had to quit watching him over that one

[@precisiont5188]

Is it an inverter type?

[@poellot]

No. Regular generator, just much smaller than modern ones of its type.

[@ronalddaub7965]

My em400 will pull $1,500 Watts it did it yesterday it was amazing

[@arin4712]

where can i get a honda em500 carburetor? and how much does it cost?

[@JohnWilliams-ni9ki]

Yeah, im looking for a carb too

[@JohnWilliams-ni9ki]

Yeah, im looking for a carb too

[@juandediosvargasfernandez4418]

Soy de Venezuela el generador onda 500 no genera corriente ni para cargar batería y 110 se acelerao al máximo y no prende la luz verde de encendido pero si prende que sera

[@lordnetsplits3192]

Dont use it as a beater generator, these are actually collectible and sell for hundreds.

[@design2survive]

After it started our car on the off grid property in the middle of winter..I have much respect for it. It’s a keeper.

[@jesusnarvaez6842]

por favor de cuanto wts de potencia es el generadot EM500?gracias

[@gotahvcls]

La lectura a continuación indica 1.500 o más vatios. Be Well

[@ronalddaub7965]

That generator is completely different than the em400 I thought it would be

[@sonamwangdi9494]

We have of same kind and of same model and I guess it's of same age but it's been in store for more than my age. I checked out today and it would not work at all

[@MrSkafloc40]

I have one can't get it started.

[@michaelking550]

Up date 2023.. Napa. Has the fuel line #7-081512 prime line.. 3/16 id x5/16 od..

[@ronalddaub7965]

Admit it solar panels don't always keep your batteries charged it's okay I'm glad you got that generator I love my em400 that will pull $1,500 that thing will probably pull 2500 or 2000 they're over engineered greatly.

[@ElanTuna69]

Anyone power a ship vac with this unit. Thinking of using it to clean out remote hunting shacks

[@Richard-vl2vz]

I got one in better condition for $40.. works great, :)

[@wayradbrad139]

Nothing ugly about this generator.

[@ronalddaub7965]

Sometimes ugly things as you say become pretty

[@MyRcGoSlow]

They selling this one for 25$ on fb marketplace

[@design2survive]

Get it.

[@MyRcGoSlow]

@@design2survive​​⁠some ther guy got it add said 20 obo now he selling it for 40$ and posted leaking gas and not starting lol but he buys and sells lawn mowers pressure washers tillers next time I’ll just get it faster lol

[@design2survive]

@@MyRcGoSlow they are great for charging batteries..and fairly reliable.

[@ronalddaub7965]

Good video but don't turn into musty and over explain everything

[@ronalddaub7965]

He talks too much must he one talks too much and he sounds like a school teacher sorry but I'm going to watch your video buddy I like the musty for a long time he finds really good stuff and I still don't dislike him but he tried to say that suitcase bicycle was 50cc and that company never made engines that was 50cc I digress..lol

[@MGreen-vz6yb]

It's a tool, no need to be pretty.

[@paulcaamano9298]

Pero q sea traducido al español

[@bhaveshkansara8014]

આ મોડલના પાટ મલીજાય

[@autotianguissanbernabeymet1693]

Que alguien lo traduzca a español por favor

[@marioguzman1846]

Honda em 500 motor generators p