Porter-Cable H650IS-W 6,500-Watt Contractor Portable Generator | 
 enlarge | Brand: Porter Cable
Category: Home Improvement
List Price: $2,856.00
Buy New: $1,599.99
You Save: $1256.01 (44%)
New (2) from $1,599.99
Rating:  5 reviews
Media: Tools & Hardware
Shipping Weight (lbs): 224
Dimensions (in): 32 x 28 x 20
MPN: H650IS-W
Model: H650IS-W
UPC: 039404129895
EAN: 0039404129895
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 6,500 continuous watts, 8,000 surge watts | | • | 13hp Honda engine with cast iron cylinder sleeves and low oil protection | | • | Idle control saves fuel and reduces noise | | • | Brushless alternator design provides cleaner power and less maintenance | | • | One year warranty |
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| Customer Reviews:
 Great product, great price! May 15, 2008
Steve (Yardley, PA USA)
Bought this mainly because of the Honda engine and the surge power of 12,000 watts. I plan on using it for backup power for the whole house when the power goes out (which seems to happen a lot lately). Starts on the first or second pull every time. Also, doesn't seem too loud considering it's size and output.
 Don't Buy Gas-Powered Equipment From Amazon February 9, 2007
J. Campana
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I purchased this generator this past summer and it was damaged during shipping, though it was only apparent after removing it from the box (bent frame). Although I never added any fluids to the unit, Amazon refused to replace the generator, citing "danger from combustible liquids" or something. As I stated, the unit was bone dry. Stick with a vendor who has the ability to deal with after-the-sales service. Hate to give the unit itself 1 star, because it is a very nice generator, but Amazon has no business selling this type of equipment.
 Good product July 1, 2006
Allen J. Patenaude (miami, fl)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Works great but note that this generator is not capable of push button starting. my wife can start the generator with no problem using the pull cord (starts by second pull) but if you need the electric start look else where.
Great Generator for the price May 31, 2005
L. Angelo (Hawaii)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
As a remodeling contractor, I've been in the market for a generator that would handle all my power equipment, especially an air compressor, with power to spare, and also something I could count on the recharge my cordless tool batteries. So when I ran into this PC generator at the local building materials supplier and checked it out, it seemed to have everything I was asking for. The one I bought was a reconditioned unit that another contractor had returned, saying that the automatic idle down feature was not working properly. The supplier sent it out for repair, and all it was was a small adjustment in the idle setting and nothing else. I called the repair shop and they confirmed it. I've had it for three months now and have had no problems with it. It starts right up on the first or second pull and goes all day on a tankful. My guys tell me that even with the air compressor, chop saw, recip saw and two wormdrive saws all going, they were getting full power. The manual says 8000 watts of surge power, but the sticker on the generator says that this model has 12,500 watts of surge power, 6500 watts continuous, so I called PC and they told me that 12,500 watts is the correct number for the model currently shipping. My only complaint is how loud this thing runs. They claim 73-76 db, but it seems a lot louder. You'd think that Honda would put a quieter muffler on this 13.0 hp motor, but they didn't. And they don't make a quieter muffler for this motor model. So if you buy this generator and have to work closer than 20 feet from it, put on the ear plugs.
Do your homework - and you might end up with this one! January 21, 2005
Alfred M. Neill (Goochland, VA USA)
19 out of 21 found this review helpful
There are so many things to consider when you shop for a generator, especially if you intend to use it to power your home when the electricity goes out. This generator might be a good choice for you, it is a quality generator for it's size and price range. The Honda GX series engine is tops for this type of generator, the brushless alternator design is a must if you want your generator to last any significant amount of time. Also, a plus in my book is that this generator is a TRUE 6500 continuous watts - be careful because many generators list their SURGE wattage as the primary number.
Of course, that means first consider how much power you will need. I live in the country, I run a well pump, I have electric hot water, I need at least this big a generator... in fact probably bigger since I have electric heat or more. Decide what you want to run before hand and talk with your family to set expectations and requirements... you could save yourself money. I bought a generator with twice the power of this one, and not surprisingly, more than twice as expensive... as power goes up on a generator, price goes up even moreso.
Second, consider quality. If you are prone to prolonged outages, you can run up the hours pretty quickly. For a backup generator used a moderate amount, a Honda gx series engine ( like the one featured on this generator) is just what the doctor ordered. But if you are going to run very very often, or use it as a primary power source, you are going to want a (much more expensive) liquid-cooled model, either diesel, gasoline, propane, etc.
Which leads to another consideration: the fuel. A gasoline generator is great and the easiest to buy because of their predominance on the market, in fact my generator is gasoline powered. But consider where you will get gasoline from if it is a major blackout, since storing large amounts of gasoline is neither safe nor wise, and in many cases not even legal. Knowing a close by gas station that has it's own backup power would come in handy. But consider other fuels that are more easily stored in bulk - diesel, or propane. of course, that makes the generator more expensive, and of course you might also have to add a propane tank - even MORE expense.
Which leads nicely into a discussion of budget. Besides the generator itself, count on more expense for things like plugs/cables for the generator, a battery if it is needed, even in many cases - motor oil! And the most significant expense beside the generator itself - the transfer panel to wire it your house safely, and the cost of hiring an electrician to do the wiring, unless you are VERY comfortable with tapping into your home's power supply and messing about yourself. And note that the more powerful a generator, the more costly the transfer switch and cables to carry the power to your house, and the harder it will be to find the proper components with compatible plugs, etc.
Finally - do NOT forget to read the manual, and to do periodic maintenance and run the generator about once a month to make sure it is in good shape when you need it.
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