4 Steps to Take as Soon as Your Portable Generator Arrives

Whether your portable generator will be used to supply power during a blackout, for outdoor activities, or both, taking the following steps once it arrives will ensure that your new power source is operated safely and efficiently.

* Select the locations where your generator will be positioned – This is a critical step regardless of how your generator will be used. You’ll want to plan its positioning so that it does not expose people to carbon monoxide emissions while also having it close enough for extension cords to reach the appliances, lighting or equipment that the generator will power. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as meted out in your operator’s manual to ensure that your generator operates from a safe location.
* If rain is going to be an issue, install a shelter to protect the generator – Electricity and water don’t mix, meaning that if your generator will be running during rainy weather you’ll want to protect it with a well-ventilated shelter. If there is the potential for water to seep in underneath your sheltered generator, elevate it with blocks or a platform to prevent the risk of operation in standing water.
* Buy extension cords rated for heavy loads and exterior use – Determine the items that will be powered by the generator and buy the appropriate number of extension cords. These extension cords will have three prongs and be able to transfer the heavier electrical currents that are produced by the generator. Light duty extension cords can overload quickly, presenting a fire hazard.
* Do a practice run – Before putting your portable generator into action, do a full practice run. If the machine will have to be moved into position, include that task as part of the practice regimen. A dry run can alert you to unforeseen challenges, allowing you to prepare for them in advance.

Taking these steps upon the arrival of your portable generator will allow you to plan for its use. The time spent in preparation can help you avoid the alternative of learning on the fly in the minutes before an event or in the dark after the power goes down.

3 Things to Do with Your Snowblower Now

Removing snow may not be the first thing on your mind at the moment, but taking these steps now will help to ensure that your snowblower tackles the first snowfall with ease and efficiency.

1) Check to see how your snowblower is handling its time in storage – A lot can happen while your snowblower sits in storage, so now is a good time to see how things are going. If you covered the machine when it went into storage, pull the cover off to make sure that moisture hasn’t been trapped. If you smell mildew, check the cover for dampness and look for areas where melting snow may have accumulated. Generally speaking, plastic covers are great moisture traps and if you didn’t do much in the way of cleaning your snowblower at the end of last season, there’s a good chance that you’ll have some water in there. If there is, dry the machine and leave the cover off to allow water to escape.
2) Lubricate the moving parts – This prevents parts from freezing up while in storage. Lubricate the drive gears, the chain, impeller gears, etc.
3) Check belts for signs of drying and cracking – Garages and storage structures can get extremely hot and dry in the summer months, which can dry out and weaken the belts. Drying will take place even faster if your snowblower is being stored in an area that receives direct sunlight. If belts are cracking, switch them out now. If your machine is getting direct sunlight, move it to a space where it will be out of the sun’s reach.

Winter is closer than it may seem now. Taking these actions now will help to keep your snowblower ready when the weather turns cold and your driveway loads up with snow.

Three Steps to Prepare Your Generator When a Big Storm is on the Way

Having either a portable or a standby generator can give you the security of knowing that you’ll be able to keep your lights on and keep your essential appliances running if a big storm interrupts power in your area. Here are three steps to prepare your generator for operation when extreme weather is headed your way:

1) Fuel up – With recent examples such as the damage and extended blackouts that resulted from Hurricane Sandy, you can bet that residents will be out in force the next time a major storm is forecasted to hit an their area. Once a storm warning is issued, get out to buy enough fuel to run your generator for several days. Check your operators’ manual to determine daily fuel requirements for your generator so that you can buy enough fuel to avoid the possibility of needing to head out in rough weather, dealing with blocked roads, fuel shortages, and other challenges that may be present in the days following an extreme weather event.
2) If you have a portable, put it in place before the weather arrives – Having a protective shelter to locate your portable generator will allow you to put it in place ahead of the weather, a much easier task than rolling it out in pouring rain.
3) Give your generator a test run – Putting your generator through its paces in a practice run prior to the actual event can let you know in advance whether your generator is going to function at its highest level of efficiency. An early test run will give you the opportunity to make repairs before you really need your generator.

Buying plenty of fuel, getting your generator in place, and doing a practice run can have it ready to go when you need it. After all, it’s going to be much better to be in the comfort of your home rather than braving the elements to take these steps as the weather is turning nasty.    

Common Mistakes made with Generators During Emergencies

Having a generator to provide backup power during an emergency can make the difference between sitting in a cold quiet house waiting for the return of electricity and being able to function on a relatively normal basis regardless of how long it takes for power from the grid to resume. Having a generator, however, does not automatically ensure that the lights will remain on and that appliances will continue to run, especially if some of the common mistakes are committed.

These mistakes include:

• Not having fuel on hand – This mistake usually occurs after the generator has been sitting idle for a while. Proper maintenance calls for tanks to be emptied prior to extended periods of non-use, which can result in an “out of sight, out of mind” situation where the need for fuel isn’t recognized until someone tries to start the generator.
• Not having a sheltered area for the generator – Generators cannot be run indoors or in a garage due to the emission of carbon monoxide. They also can’t be run with direct exposure to water, meaning that there should be a dedicated shelter to protect the generator from the elements. Without a shelter, a generator can’t be run until rain stops, which can leave a household in the dark until weather passes.
• Forgetting where extension cords are stored – Running a portable generator requires extension cords to be connected to the items that will be powered during an outage. While it may be tempting to use them for other purposes, have extension cords stored in a specific location that will only be used for the generator.  
• Forgetting about maintenance – A generator will require some maintenance, especially if it hasn’t been in operation recently. Follow the maintenance protocols in the operators’ manual to ensure that your Honda generator starts when you need it.

Avoiding these mistakes can make sure that your generator can do exactly what you bought it for. Otherwise, that generator that could be powering your house in an emergency may just sit around until you can get it to work after the storm moves on.

How to Buy the Best Type of Generator for Your Small Business

Installing a generator as a backup power source for a small business can keep operations going and serve as a kind of insurance policy against closing the doors for days or weeks during extended power outages. The key for getting the best results for your small business is to select the style, determine the power output capacity and assess several other factors to make certain that the generator you purchase meets the demands of your business. Here are some of the considerations that can determine whether a portable or standby generator will be the best choice.

A portable generator may be the best choice if:

• The number of employees is low and power usage is relatively small – Some small businesses, such as retail stores that aren’t selling perishables, may be able to operate with limited lighting, a single computer terminal, and power for the phone system and credit card lines.
• Refrigeration needs are minimal – Refrigerators are big energy users, but if a business isn’t selling refrigerated goods, the only one needing power may be the one used to store employees’ lunches.
• A sudden shutdown won’t affect stored data on computers – Businesses that employ computers to track sales and inventory may not be affected by a sudden loss of power.

A small number of appliances and devices require power. Portable generators have a limited number of outlets. If you can power essential office equipment using only the available outlets, a portable generator may suffice.

A standby generator will provide better results if:

• You have a larger workforce and/or heavier energy demands – A business that needs to support a high number of employees and/or uses heavy equipment as part of its operations may need the increased power output of a standby generator.
• Your business sells perishables and/or refrigerated goods – Powering refrigeration can allow for continued operations and prevent spoilage during an extended blackout. In this type of situation, a standby generator can pay for itself during one long outage by saving refrigerated goods from going bad.
• A sudden interruption of power may cause the loss of important data – Computer intensive businesses, such as data processors, may require the automatic changeover to backup power provided by a standby generator to avoid the risk of losing data.
• Your business’ essential operations, such as network infrastructure, are hardwired rather than plug in – Hardwired equipment needs to be powered through the business’ circuitry. Standby generators installed with power switches are the best choice under these circumstances.

The installation of a generator to provide backup power can keep a small business operational during electrical outages. Following these steps can ensure your alternate power solution is the best choice for your business.

4 Tips for the Safe Use of Portable Generators to Power Open Air Events

As summer approaches, the uses for portable generators increase as families head out for camping trips, throw outdoor birthday parties, and host other open-air events. Here are 4 tips that will make sure you get all the power you need in the safest manner possible:

•  Fill the tank – Topping up the fuel tank prior to use can reduce the chances that you’ll need to re-fuel during an event. The problem with re-fueling is that the generator should be allowed to cool down before fuel is added to the tank to prevent ignition caused when the fuel comes in contact with a sizzling-hot surface.

• Keep the portable generator down-wind from the event – An outdoor venue should provide plenty of ventilation but locating the generator down-wind from the gathering can ensure that people aren't exposed to emissions.

• If rain is in the forecast put up a shelter to keep the generator dry – Operating a generator in wet conditions always adds a level of danger so protect it with a shelter or canopy and make sure that extensions cords are not exposed to water. 

• Keep children away – Generators are fascinating machines, especially for small children. Make sure that your portable generator is out of reach or that a parent is positioned to keep children from getting too close.

Being out in the open-air is one of the treats of summer. These tips can help to make sure that your open-air events are powered efficiently and safely.

3 Reasons for Using a Transfer Switch with Your Generator

While automatic transfer switches are most often used with standby generators, they can also be used with portable generators that have electric starters. Another option, if a portable generator is being used for backup power, is to install a manual transfer switch.

Whether you have a standby or a portable generator, there are several reasons to incorporate a transfer switch. Here are three of the big ones:

1) A transfer switch eliminates the need for numerous extension cords – Rather than running extension cords through the house, a transfer switch allows for appliances to be powered by the home’s circuitry.

2) You can power up your hard wired items – Furnaces, air conditioners, lighting and other appliances in many cases cannot be hooked up to a generator with an extension cord. They can be powered through the home’s circuitry if a transfer switch is in place.

3) Using a transfer switch is only way to safely connect your generator directly to the circuits in the home – Transfer switches effectively separate generated power from electricity coming from the main. This prevents back-feeding, which can occur when power is returned and the excess electricity coming from the generator is transmitted back to the power lines. Back-feeding can both start fires and cause severe injury via electrocution of people working on power lines.

While having a generator will allow you many benefits during an outage, installing a transfer switch can add an extra layer of convenience as well. The safety of transfer switches is another benefit, the value of which is impossible to calculate.

3 Tips on Preventing the Theft of Your Snowblower in the Offseason

As the owners of snowblowers may be getting ready to put their machines in storage and forget about them until the first snowfall of the next season, there are several measures that should be taken to prevent the theft of what is for many people a substantial investment. Additionally, these measures can also make it far more difficult for thieves to steal anything else that may be stored nearby.

These measures include:  

* Storing snowblowers in a space that is attached to the home – Thieves are far less likely to steal from a storage area, such as a garage, that is attached to the home than one that is a distance from it. As far as thieves are concerned, the lower the likelihood of running into the people that live in the home, the more interesting the target becomes.
* If you’re storing a snowblower and other equipment in a separate shed, make sure it’s locked up – A storage space that is surrounded by a backyard fence is the best way to go, especially if you have dogs in the backyard as well. Secure the storage shed with a key access, a dead bolt, a padlock or a combination of the three.
* Light your storage area – Regardless of the target, lighting it up will discourage thieves. You can use either a lighting system that operates on a timer or motion-activated lights. Either way, make sure that your lighting cannot be reached by someone standing on the ground as reachable lights provide the opportunity to disconnect them and work in the dark.

Follow these tips and thieves that might have been interested in your snowblower will seek other targets that provide a better environment for theft.

How to Choose the Right Options for Honda Snowblowers

Honda snowblowers have built their reputation on providing a great customer experience by delivering reliability, durability, powerful performance. To make a great experience even better, Honda offers additional options allowing for snowblowers to be customized for specific uses and conditions. Some of these options qualify more as personal choices while others can make certain jobs much easier and/or save hours of time.

One of the options which can satisfy personal preferences is the choice between a manual crank and a joystick to control the direction of the discharge chute. Either option will accomplish the objective. Another personal preference choice, especially considering the consistently easy starting for Honda snowblowers, is the choice between electric and recoil starting. To cover both choices Honda snowblowers offering the electric starting option also come with recoil starting as a backup.

Honda snowblowers come with the option of track drive or wheel drive, a customization choice which can provide a lot of value by saving time and effort. The surface gripping capability of track drive makes clearing snow on uneven or inclined surfaces much easier as increased traction makes for increased ease of operation. Honda snowblowers featuring the track drive option are also a superior choice for clearing hard packed and heavy snow. The nature of wheel driven snowblowers makes them easier to turn and maneuver. These models are the perfect solution for easier clearing jobs which don’t require added traction such as lighter snowfalls and flat surfaces.

Additional options such as heated handgrips and headlights can also add value for situations where snow must be cleared in frigid temperatures or during the early morning/late evening hours. Honda snowblowers, in addition to being the professional’s choice for years, can now be customized to the exact specifications of their intended use.

For more information, visit Harbor Power House at http://www.HarborPowerHouse.com/.

How Standby Generators Do What They Do

The concept of how emergency or standby generators for home use work may sound complicated but, in reality, their workings are easy to understand. The terms emergency and standby are interchangeable as both of these words actually describe the function of these generators.

Standby generators are typically fixed in place and are not designed to be moved around like a portable generator. They can provide power for outdoor uses but their functionality is going to be restricted to powering appliances equipment, etc that are in close proximity to the power source. For that reason, the main purpose of a standby generator is to deliver power to a home or office in the event of an outage.
   
Standby generators accomplish this by constantly monitoring electricity coming from the power grid. In the event that the generator detects an outage of the main power source, the generator switches on automatically to start sending power to the home or office. This change from the main power source to generated power is accomplished through the automatic transfer switch which performs a disconnection from the main power source as soon as the outage is detected. This is another way that a standby generator is different than a portable; when power goes down a portable must be manually connected and then started, usually by push button.

Standby generators can either be purchased to power the entire home or office or can be directed to power specific appliances and equipment such as the refrigerator, heater, medical devices, etc. Whole house generators would naturally be the more expensive of the two and cost more in terms of fuel to run than a less powerful generator that provides power to specified appliances and equipment.

The generator continues to monitor the outage and will continue to run as long as no power is coming in from the grid. Once incoming power from the grid is detected, the standby generator shuts down and switches back to power coming from the grid. The generator goes back to standby mode, monitoring for the next outage. The great thing is that the whole operation is done automatically and requires no human interaction. This can be a huge benefit during severe weather or when someone bed-ridden.

For optimal performance, a standby generator should be run periodically to ensure that everything is in tune and working. These periodic checkups can provide an early alert that maintenance is required so that the generator can operate at full capacity when the situation arises.

Honda Portable and Standby Generators at HarborPowerHouse.com

HarborPowerHouse.com is an authorized Honda generator dealer carrying the full line of Honda’s portable and standby power generators. These generators, like the rest of Honda’s power equipment arsenal, are known and respected for their durability, reliability, and power output by commercial and private users alike. Honda’s line of generators comes in a wide variety of power output levels suitable for the full spectrum of potential uses. Whether large or small, each Honda generator is engineered to the highest standards in the industry and constructed with components of the highest quality in order to deliver reliable performance over the long term.

The generators available at Honda generator dealers such as HarborPowerHouse.com include:

* Portable Generators - HarborPowerHouse.com offers a broad selection of portable Honda generators designed to provide electric power for all kinds of outdoor uses ranging from recreational to commercial uses. Whether you are out with your RV or powering construction equipment, there is a Honda portable generator that can reliably deliver the goods.

* Standby/residential Generators – These generators deliver power immediately when electric outages are simply not an option. These generators can take over power generation for a residence or a business within seconds of detecting an interruption from the power grid.  

Honda’s generators are built to the highest standards in the industry, delivering electric power with energy efficient and quiet reliability for a wide variety of uses and needs.  For more information on Honda’s full line of power generators, visit Honda generator dealer: www.HarborPowerHouse.com or call (877) 837 2648.

Decision Making with Portable Generators

Portable generators have evolved to the point where doing some research prior to buying is an absolute necessity. The first consideration should focus on whether you’ll need an inverter device or not. Inverter devices in portable generators manage the current of the power supply making them the preferred solution for more sensitive electronics like computers, medical devices and television sets. Portable generators that are not equipped with inverter technology are better suited for powering less sensitive items like lights and appliances.

The next consideration is to measure the amount of power you’ll need for lighting, appliances and electronic devices. One caveat here is that a portable generator will have some limitations in terms of the amount of power that can be delivered. For example, running heating or air conditioning may either be beyond the scope of what a portable generator can deliver or use a large enough amount of fuel that constant refilling is required.

To determine the amount of power you’ll require for your electrical needs, total the wattage needed for each item. One thing to keep in mind is that older appliances use power less efficiently than newer ones. If your portable generator is slated to power a bunch of older appliances, be sure to increase the total from what you see on each appliance.

Lastly, if power outages are common in your area, give some thought to the length of a typical outage. This will give you an idea of how long your portable generator will have to run and how much fuel you’ll need to keep on hand.

Deciding Between Single Stage and Two Stage Snowblowers

Making the right decision between single stage and two stage snowblowers can change the task of removing snow from difficult to easy, and maybe even fun. Regardless of the amount of snow your area may experience, the first priority for snow removal is usually clearing the driveway, walkways, and the sidewalk.

Here are a few factors which would favor single stage snowblowers:

* The determination for choosing between single and two stage snowblowers starts with the amount of snow which will typically need to be cleared from these areas. Single stage snowblowers, which are less powerful than two stage blowers, are ideal for areas that receive six inches or less with each snowfall.

* Because single stage snowblowers come in contact with the ground, areas to be cleared should have hard surfaces such as asphalt, cement, brick, or wood.

* Single stage snowblowers also work well with drier and lighter snowfalls.

Two stage snowblowers would be called for under these circumstances:

* Two stage snowblowers carry much more power than their single stage brethren so if the area receives anything between six and twelve inches per snowfall, going with more powerful two stage snowblowers is the way to go.

* Clearing larger and wider areas calls for two stage snowblowers. The wider swath of a two stage blower will get the job done much faster than a narrower single stage.

* Two stage snowblowers are suitable for any surface including gravel and loose rocks.

* Two stage snowblowers are self propelled which makes them suitable for clearing wet and heavy snow on uneven or rough terrain.

Honda snowblowers deliver reliable and durable performance every time. To see the best in single stage and two stage Honda snowblowers, visit Harbor Power House at http://www.HarborPowerHouse.com/.

Commercial Applications for Standby Generators

The global nature of the online world means that internet retailers, auction sites, search engines, social media, banks and software companies have to be open for business all day, every day. With information from Forrester Research Inc. estimating that internet sales will exceed $250 billion by 2014, the risk of downtime caused by an electrical outage will continue to grow.

Due to this need for continuous uptime, internet businesses are increasingly turning to standby generators to provide protection against costly power failures and brief nuisance outages. As the US continues to consume more energy than ever before, a strained and dated electrical grid has reduced the reliability of electrical delivery. This uncertainty has resulted in the growth in popularity of standby generators for commercial use.

This issue and the increasing likelihood of blackouts, brownouts and outages have led to the conclusion by a growing number of online business owners that businesses must protect themselves when it comes to safeguarding their critical applications. Unfortunately, the alternative is being subjected to an increasingly unreliable and fluctuating energy supply as well as the risks of being shut down at any moment and at great expense due to an outage.

A telling survey out of the U.K. backed the sentiment that self reliance in terms of protecting a company’s power supply has become a necessity. In it, over 75 percent of those questioned in a recent survey claimed that standby generators were required to support their critical applications due to a power outage within the past 12 months.

The offering of an always on to power protection has become very compelling as standby generators enable firms to keep critical applications running around the clock.

As profits narrow across the economy, the need for businesses to protect their own power needs goes beyond just online businesses. While these businesses may not require 24/7 power, the costs of being shut down due to a power outage can become astronomical, especially in an extended outage. With that in mind, the investment in the protection provided by standby generators can provide huge returns, especially when potential losses are considered.

Buying the Right Portable Honda Generator for Your Needs

When it comes to the variety of choices you have when shopping for a portable Honda generator, it pays to take the time to address several considerations. The first thing to consider is exactly how the generator is going to be used. If it’s going to be used for lighter uses exclusively, a smaller Honda generator will likely be enough to supply all of the required power needs.

It gets more complicated if, in addition to recreational uses, the generator is going to be used to provide backup power to the home in the event of a power outage. Except for smaller homes, a portable generator will probably not be able to supply power for every appliance, lighting, heating, etc. If this is the case, prioritize the appliances you will need powered on and then total the demand. To play it safe, make your calculations using the power needed to start the appliance, known as “peak power values”.

Another consideration that is often taken into account after a purchase is the ease of portability for the unit. If the generator is too large or heavy for you to move, it could limit its uses and you may not be able to use it for all the things you had planned. This becomes a bigger problem if the unit has to be moved to act as a backup power generator for the home.

It’s often the case that it becomes difficult to accurately measure everything you may want to power on with your Honda generator. To speak with a specialist on these areas, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/ or call (877) 837 2648.

Honda Portable Generators: Safety Tips

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1) Portable generators
2) Honda portable generators (not on keyword list)  



Honda portable generators offer a wide variety of options for use, ranging from the provision of power while camping to running essential devices and appliances during power outages. As is the same with all power equipment, the safe operation of these generators will optimize their usability as well as their length of service.

Safety tips for Honda portable generators include:

• Never operate a generator inside a home or garage – All fuel-based generators emit exhaust that contains carbon monoxide, so be sure its operating location is a safe distance away from doors, windows, and any other openings to the house.
• Shelter your generator – Protect your generator from too much moisture, dirt, etc. to allow for efficient operation and proper grounding. Make sure the shelter is on a level foundation and has several feet of clearance on all sides.
• Maximize ventilation – Be that your generator is situated in an area that has plenty of ventilation to keep it from overheating and to prevent the accumulation of exhaust.
• Do not refuel the generator while the unit is in operation – Refuel only when the generator is off and has had plenty of time to cool down.
• Do not top off the tank when adding fuel – As a generator warms up, fuel in the tank will expand. Leave some room in the tank to allow for this expansion.
• Do not connect your generator directly to a wall outlet – Instead; plug your appliances into the generator using heavy duty extension cords that are rated for outdoor use.
• Familiarize yourself with the appliances and devices that you will need to run during an outage – This should actually be done prior to purchasing a portable generator to ensure that the generator doesn’t get overloaded by powering too many appliances, devices, etc.
• Before putting the generator away for extended storage, run the generator until empty – This prevents thickened fuel sludge from developing during extended storage. Another option is to add a fuel stabilizer to the tank which can be warranted if the fuel level is high.

Try to familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual prior to use so that you’re not scrambling for instructions on operating your generator as heavy weather or an outage begins. For more information on Honda portable generators, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/

Honda Home and Garden Products From HarborPowerHouse

HarborPowerHouse.com offers everything you need for your lawn and garden needs. Designed and built to the highest standards possible, the full line of legendary Honda mowers, trimmers, and garden tillers will provide dependability and performance for years to come.

* Honda Lawnmowers: Built to commercial landscaping standards, Honda mowers have been considered the leader in the field for decades for delivering durable, reliable, quiet, and fuel efficient performance. These features are the sum of the combination of the highest quality components with cutting edge design, resulting in machines which do the job while meeting the toughest emission regulations in the country.

* Honda Trimmers: Designing to the highest standards results in the convenience of easy starts and ease of use even for the tough jobs. These trimmers are gas powered with high fuel efficiency, eliminating the need for, and uncertainty of, gas and oil mixtures and reducing the cost of operation. State of the art design gives every trimmer an even feel of balance and low vibration, resulting in easy handling and predictable results.

* Honda Garden Tillers: The line of garden Honda tillers at HarborPowerHouse.com can provide solutions for a full range of gardening needs, whether for a small garden or larger areas. The FG110 mini-tiller functions well as both a small garden tiller and as a tiller for larger projects as well. HarborPowerHouse.com offers a mid-tine tiller and a rear-tine tiller for progressively larger projects. The rear-tine tiller, designed for larger home and commercial projects, is self propelled, providing an unparalleled ease of use experience.

HarborPowerHouse.com has the machinery you need to make your lawn and garden areas beautiful, with ease. Our Honda powered mowers, trimmers, and tillers can take much of the effort out of even the toughest gardening projects. With the reliability, durability, and the ease of working with Honda powered products, working in your lawn and garden might not seem like work at all.

Why Choose a Honda Pump?

Honda’s line of pumps has been the choice of professionals because of their legendary reliability, durability, and powerful performance for all types of jobs in every type of condition. The pumps are engineered to the highest standards in each category and deliver increased power over other pumps carrying the same weight and footprint. The difference between Honda pumps and the rest lies in the following factors:

* While most pumps in the category operate with two-stroke engines, Honda has ramped up the power by employing its legendary 4-stroke engine into the same footprint. The reliable and durable Honda GX series commercial grade engines provide easy starts and deliver ample power for the toughest conditions. Honda engines across all their products have long been professionals’ choice for providing reliable, quiet, fuel-efficient power

* Honda pumps are built to last. Constructed with durable silicon carbide seals, cast iron impellers, and rigid mounted volutes, Honda pumps are engineered and designed to deliver the highest level of performance and durability over the long term.

* Honda backs their legendary pumps with a 3 year warranty on most models. These warranties are good on commercial, residential, and rental pumps.

The Honda line of pumps at HarborPowerHouse.com continues to raise the raise the bar for the category commercial and residential pumps. Their WX10 pump is driven by the GX25 4-stroke ultra-compact engine and delivers pumping power at never before seen levels for a pump in the 1-inch bore class compact pump market. The four stroke pump meets and/or exceeds EPA and CARB emission level requirements and carries a two-year limited warranty for non-commercial use. Until the entrance of Honda’s WX10, the category was dominated by 2-stroke engines. The WX10 is quiet, featuring a state of the art muffler system covered entirely by heat shields for added safety. Engineering and design advances have resulted in a high powered pump which is as light in weight and as compact as competitive water pumps powered by 2-stroke engines. Additionally, the WX10 is fully functional when tilted at any angle, even upside down.

Honda’s pumps from HarborPowerHouse.com have been preferred by professionals for their reliability, durability, and power for over twenty years. Those features are backed by comprehensive warranties lasting up to three years for residential, commercial, and rental use. For more information and specifications on full line of legendary Honda pumps, visit www.HarborPowerHouse.com or call (877) 837 2648.

Honda Tilling Tips with ESTER

Honda’s full line of lawn and garden equipment at HarborPowerHouse.com can handle any sized job ranging from residential maintenance to commercial projects. Honda’s soil tillers come in three variations; the mini-tiller, the mid-tine, and rear-tine. As with all of Honda’s lawn and garden equipment, Honda tillers are engineered and designed to the highest commercial standards possible resulting in machinery which will provide durability, dependability, and performance every time.

For those using a Honda tiller for the first time, Honda provides a series of tips to get the most out of your equipment. The tips are based on the acronym ESTER, which stands for:

* E – Evaluate the soil you plan on tilling. Is the area hard packed or loose soil?

* S – Set the tiller adjustments to the condition of the ground to be tilled. The depth bar, tine speed, throttles, and gear selection may have to be adjusted, depending on the Honda tiller model.

* T – Till a small portion of the total area.

* E – Evaluate the tiller’s performance in relation to the set adjustments.

* R – Reset the adjustments to maximize tilling performance.

The key for optimal tilling performance lies in dialing in each feature to adjust for what can be a wide range of conditions, even in a single area. Compensating for changing soil conditions can be done by making the following adjustments:

* The depth bar – In its “default” setting, the depth bar should be set so that the tiller leans slightly backward. The depth bar should be set lower for hard pack conditions and higher for softer soil.

* Tine speed – Tine speed can be adjusted by making adjustments in the throttle. Slowing down the engine speed will slow down the tines and tilling speed. Slower speeds tend to work better in soft soil conditions while operation at full throttle typically provides optimal results in hard packed soil.

* Gear selection – Engine and tine speed can also be adjusted via gear selection. Operation in high gear tends to chew up bigger chunks of soil which works best in soft or loose soil conditions. Smaller bites at a lower gear speed tends to provide better results in hard packed conditions.

Getting an optimal performance from a Honda tiller is as easy as following ESTER. For more information on Honda’s full line of lawn and garden equipment, visit www.HarborPowerHouse.com or call (877) 837 2648.

Honda Pumps

The Honda line of pumps at HarborPowerHouse.com continues to raise the raise the bar for the category commercial and residential pumps. Their WX10 pump is driven by the GX25 4-stroke ultra-compact engine and delivers pumping power at never before seen levels for a pump in the 1-inch bore class compact pump market. The four stroke pump meets and/or exceeds EPA and CARB emission level requirements and carries a two-year limited warranty for non-commercial use. Until the entrance of Honda’s WX10, the category was dominated by 2-stroke engines. The WX10 is quiet, featuring a state of the art muffler system covered entirely by heat shields for added safety. Engineering and design advances have resulted in a high powered pump which is as light in weight and as compact as competitive water pumps powered by 2-stroke engines. Additionally, the WX10 is fully functional when tilted at any angle, even upside down.

Honda’s products have become the professional’s pump of choice because of their legendary reliability, durability, and powerful performance for all types of jobs in every type of condition. The pumps are engineered to the highest standards in each category and deliver increased power over other pumps carrying the same weight and footprint. The line of Honda pumps found at HarborPowerHouse.com are the professionals’ choice for jobs ranging from household size to the largest commercial projects. The main pump categories are:

*De–watering pumps – HarborPowerHouse.com carries a full line of lightweight, general purpose, and high pressure pumps.  These pumps can take on any sized job from draining a pool to heavy commercial use.

* Construction and Industrial Pumps – These commercial pumps can move solids and pump out up to 433 gallons per minute. Heavy concentrations of solids can be handled by low volume and Diaphragm pumps which can move waste, mud, and trash.

* Submersible Pumps – Honda’ submersible pumps can be employed in numerous ways including sump drainage, draining a flooded basement, seepage, and emptying swimming pools. These pumps are built with stainless steel and carry a discharge capacity of up to 150 gpm.

Honda’s pumps from HarborPowerHouse.com have been preferred by professionals for their reliability, durability, and power for over twenty years. Those features are backed by comprehensive warranties lasting up to three years for residential, commercial, and rental use. For more information and specifications on full line of legendary Honda pumps, visit www.HarborPowerHouse.com or call (877) 837 2648.

Honda Power Equipment

HarborPowerHouse.com carries full lines on all of Honda’s Power Equipment products. Each category is known for Honda’s legendary reliability, power performance, and durability making them the preferred choice for professional and commercial users around the world. Honda’s products are all engineered to the most exacting standards and built with top quality components to ensure high level performance year in and year out.

Honda’s Power Equipment products available at HarborPowerHouse.com include:

* Honda Generators - HarborPowerHouse.com offers Honda generators for protecting homes and businesses from power outages, providing power for all kinds of outdoor recreation, and commercial/industrial use. The Honda generator line can meet every power requirement from large to small and is the only choice when going without power is not an option. With Honda generators from HarborPowerHouse.com it is a certainty that power generation needs will be met with energy efficient and quiet reliability.

* Honda Lawn Mowers – Honda Lawn Mowers are built to commercial landscaping standards, meaning that they can handle jobs from the backyard to everyday commercial use. Honda lawnmowers have long been considered the leader in the field by professionals for delivering durable, reliable, quiet, and fuel efficient performance. By incorporating advanced engineering, using only the highest quality components, and cutting edge designs Honda has built the industry standard for lawn care. Honda’s mowers consistently do the job while meeting the toughest emission regulations in the country.

* Honda Lawn and Garden Equipment – Honda’s tillers and trimmers available at HarborPowerHouse.com can handle any sized job ranging from residential maintenance to commercial projects. Honda’s lawn and garden equipment is engineered and designed to the highest commercial standards possible resulting in trimmers and garden tillers which will provide durability, dependability, and performance every time.

* Honda Pumps– Honda’s pump products have become the professional’s choice because of their legendary reliability, durability, and powerful performance for all types of jobs in every type of condition. The pumps are engineered to the highest standards in each category and deliver more power than other pumps of the same weight and size. The line of Honda pumps found at HarborPowerHouse.com is the professionals’ choice for jobs ranging from household size to the largest commercial projects.


Honda’s Power Equipment is built to the highest standards in each category, making each one the choice of professionals and consumers around the world. For more information on Honda’s line of power equipment visit www.HarborPowerHouse.com or call (877) 837 2648.

The Three Types of Households When the Power Goes Down

The high winds, rain and snow of winter are approaching, meaning that chances of power outages are on the rise as well. While many weather-related power outages are repaired within a few hours, recent trends are showing that extended power impairments are becoming more frequent and longer in duration.

When the power goes down three types of households emerge:

1) The scramblers – Once the power goes down, scramblers will head out looking for Honda generators en masse, hoping to find the right generator for their needs before other scramblers locate them and buy them out.
2) The hunker-downers – Hunkering down during a winter storm may seem like a big adventure, at least for a while. As an outage continues, the reality of the situation can change the big adventure feeling to one of stress over not being able to run a home-based business, not having power for essential medical devices, and/or the safety of the family. Depending on how long the outage lasts and the severity of the weather, hunker-downers will either convert over to scrambler status or bundle up hoping that the lights come back on before they run out of candles and flashlight batteries.
3) Owners of Honda generators – When the power goes down, owners of Honda generators know that they will have the electricity they need to power their medical devices, appliances and potentially their entire home depending on the output capability of their generator.

Depending on household needs, backup power generation can be provided by either a portable or a standby generator. A portable generator will suffice if power needs are relatively light. A portable generator capable of 5kW of output will be able to power limited lighting, heating, and a refrigerator for approximately 8 hours before refueling is required.

Standby generators can meet higher power demands while providing additional conveniences. Standby Honda generators, for example, provide a number of output options, ranging from powering multiple rooms to the entire home. These generators offer the convenience of switching on within seconds of sensing the loss of primary power rather than requiring a manual start. Another convenience of standby generators is that many of them offer the option of being fueled from a home’s natural gas line, eliminating the need for refueling.

Winter is coming. To avoid scrambler and hunker-downer status, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/ for more information on Honda generators.

Making the Choice Between Standby and Portable Generators

Honda generators can be divided into two categories; portable and standby. While both deliver reliable backup power, each category of generators has strengths and weaknesses that will determine which type will provide the best solution for each household’s set of circumstances.

Here is a brief summation of the two generator categories:

Portable Generators

Portable generators are lighter in weight and more versatile than the standby variety. Portability allows for uses ranging from providing power while camping outdoors to generating much needed backup power during a blackout. These generators are typically configured with multiple outlets to provide power to a variety of appliances and equipment. With this versatility, however, comes a few issues that should be considered prior to making a final decision:

• For use during a power outage, a portable may have to be moved into position to provide power to the home. While this may not be an issue for those that are physically able, moving a portable generator may require more strength than some people possess.
• Portable generators typically have lower output levels than standby generators. This can prove to be problematic if a portable cannot generate enough power to run all the appliances and equipment necessary for the safety of household members.
• Portable generators require refueling during extended outages. Considering that portables should never be run indoors, this refueling will normally take place outdoors, hopefully in a protective shelter. If the unit is not located in a shelter refueling can prove to be a daunting task during severe weather.

Standby Generators

While standby generators do not offer the versatility of portable generators, they do offer significant benefits:

• Standby generators are specifically built to deliver backup power during an outage. Permanently connected to a home’s circuitry, standby generators switch on automatically within seconds of a power interruption. These generators also power down once the primary source of power is restored.
• Power output levels are higher than portables, with the potential to run major appliances simultaneously and/or power the entire home.
• Standby generators can be connected to the home’s natural gas line, eliminating the need for refueling.

Honda generators can provide solutions to every type of backup power need. For more information, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/

Buying a Backup Generator System: What to do Before you Buy

This winter has served as a constant reminder that having a backup generator system in place isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Of particular concern are extended power outages which can run for days or even weeks before power is restored.  Under these circumstances it makes sense, particularly in areas where severe weather is common, to consider some form of backup power system.

The time to start doing the required homework before buying a backup generator system is before the lights go out. Here are some of the considerations to take into account selecting, buying and installing a system.

The more expensive standby generator systems can power an entire energy-efficient house. Here doing the calculations to determine the right standby generator is fairly straightforward and can be done by looking at the electrical bill for the total of wattage used during the months when use is at its highest level. The number can be padded somewhat to provide a cushion. Then it’s simply a matter of buying a standby generator system that can meet demand at its highest level of use.

If a whole house generating system isn’t an option, a determination of what is essential to be kept running in the event of a power outage must be made. A good starting point is to define the critical loads of essential appliances and equipment. An option here is to check whether or not there are non-electrical solutions when power goes out.

One of these alternatives could be a properly vented space heater. The heater could use wood, oil, natural gas or propane, which could help keep the house warm while the heater is off. The caveat here is to never burn fuel in an unvented situation as the gases produced by burning can be toxic and/or lethal.

Energy efficiency can play a large role in the level of power a generator will have to deliver. Proper home insulation as well as energy saving appliances and heating equipment can reduce the demand load dramatically, which could reduce the cost of the generator by a material amount.

Once the required wattage of the lights, appliances, and other necessities is determined, pad the amount by 20% to 25% to ensure that the standby generator can easily cover all electrical requirements.

Once the right generator system has been determined, have an electrician or electrical contractor do the installation to make sure it’s done properly. After installation, be sure to run the generator periodically to test that it can power the  designated circuits and keep them running when an outage occurs.

Honda Generators: A Power Output Guide

Making the right choice from the broad line of Honda generators starts with the determination of the appliances, equipment and devices that must continue to run in the event of a power outage. This list can include heaters, refrigerators, medical devices, lighting, home office equipment, etc. Once you have compiled your list, add the wattage necessary to run each item to define minimum level of power output that you require. What follows is a list of standard power output levels for both standby and portable generators as well as a “rule of thumb” guide showing how many items can be powered at each output level.

Portable generators:

• 5kW – 5kW will power a small core of survival appliances including a few lights, a refrigerator, and a furnace fan. This leaves approximately 600 watts to power a computer, radio, and/or a small television.
• 6.5kW – The extra 1.5kW provided at this level can power a portable electric heater or a coffee maker, in addition to powering your chosen survival appliances.

Standby generators:

• 8kW – These medium output generators, in addition to powering your core appliances, can light and power two rooms that aren’t heavy in appliances. A home office running a desktop computer and other gear would be fine at this level as would a family room, for example.
• 10kW – At this output level, there is a possibility that you may forget about the blackout that has necessitated the use of your generator. This output level will power everything listed above as well as the kitchen, meaning that you can drink hot chocolate in the comfy confines of your home.
• 15kW – 15kW of output is enough to light and run a small home. For larger homes, this level makes the laundry room operational and can light up a couple bedrooms.
• 25 kW – At 25kW, the entirety of a medium-sized house can be powered along with air conditioning. At this point, you’re likely to be impervious to what is going on outside while being the envy of your neighbors as well.

To repeat, this is a rule of thumb guide. When buying your generator be sure to consult a professional to ensure that you’ll have enough power from your backup generator. For more information on Honda generators, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/

Choosing the Best of the Honda Generators for your Needs

Choosing the best of the Honda generators for your needs starts with answering a few questions about your potential energy requirements during an extended power outage. These answers can help define the amount of electrical output you’ll need to power the essential appliances and devices in your home as well as the best type of generator to buy.

Start by answering these questions:

• What is your budget? This answer will narrow your search immediately, especially if you have limited funds.
• If funds are limited, develop a bare bones plan for life supporting appliances, such as heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.
• What are the essential appliances, lights, medical devices, etc. that would need to be powered during an outage. Life support devices should obviously occupy the top of this list.
• What appliances will have to run simultaneously? Lights, electrical heating (or air conditioning during a heat wave), and refrigeration would be likely candidates. Some of these appliances will require one circuit while the larger one might require two. The number of the total circuits that must be used at the same time will be an important factor in determining the right generator.
• Do you have a home-based business that would need to operate during an outage? List the equipment and the wattage required to power the business.  
• Take an accounting of the wattage used in total for all appliances that will be powered by the generator as well as those that will likely be on for the duration of a power outage. This will define the size of the generator and the minimum amount of output necessary to power the appliances you’ll need during a blackout.
• Local fuel sources – Be sure that the generator you choose uses a fuel that is readily available in your area. Honda generators are gas powered so this point is usually not an issue. Additionally, if there is a natural gas line to the house it can also be used to supply fuel to a standby generator.

Once this list of answers is compiled, talk to a professional who can provide guidance on getting the best generator for your needs. To speak to a professional for more information on Honda generators, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/

Business Risk Management with Standby Generators

Risk management for businesses is often perceived as the analysis of business risks such as new competition, rising commodity prices, vendor issues, etc. With current trends in place in terms of weather, the fragility of the power grid, and rising demand for power, risk management should also include planning for the eventuality of an extended power outage. In fact, power outages lasting for days into weeks have become increasingly frequent over the last several years.

 This increase was documented in a report released by Eaton, a globally diversified power management company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. In the report, Eaton said the year 2010 saw 3,419 separate power outages which affected 17.5 million people in every state of the country. The number of power outages was up almost 17% from the previous year. The report also stated that the average blackout had a duration of 4 hours. For examples of extended blackouts, one only needs to look at the outages that plagued the eastern half of the country last summer and the blackouts that occurred during the East Coast snowstorms last fall both of which affected millions of people.

 For businesses, these extended outages carry substantial risks in terms of the loss of daily operations, revenue losses, and the potential for the loss of digital data. These losses can be mitigated, however, through the implementation of standby generators purposed for the provision of backup power during either a long or short power failure.

Standby generators offer businesses the following benefits:
• Automatic power delivery when primary power goes down.
• Options ranging from powering only essential equipment to the entire office. • Extended power generation without the need for refueling if the standby generator(s) can be connected to a natural gas line.

 Additionally, for offices with extensive computer networks, an uninterruptible power source battery can start delivering backup power almost instantly once the interruption of electricity is detected. The uninterruptible power source battery then shuts down once the standby generator comes on line, which usually takes less than 20 seconds. This instantaneous transfer prevents critical data from being lost and allows for either a normal shutdown process or continued use of the network.

 With power outages becoming more common, planning for their eventuality should be part of your risk management protocol. For more information on protecting your business, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/

Bad Weather, an Aging Grid, and Honda Generators

As recently as last summer, severe storms followed by an intense heat wave left millions of people without power, with some outages lasting for a week or longer. As it has happened before, extended power outages can literally change daily routines and, in certain circumstances, become life threatening. Taken for granted when the delivery of power is constant and undisturbed, its sudden absence makes people realize how much we as a society depend on the 24/7/365 availability of electricity.

 The major factors in these extended outages are:
• The U.S. power grid operates on equipment and technology that is almost half a century old.
• Severe storms bringing higher wind speeds, snow loads, and precipitation are occurring on a more frequent basis.
• Higher demand levels for power as society digitizes everything from homework starting in elementary school to the offering and sales of real estate.
• The process of bringing the grid up to present day standards has been bogged down for over a decade as utilities and state and federal government agencies bicker over the finer points of paying for the necessary upgrades and other issues.

While all of these factors look like they will continue and potentially intensify, the issue for homeowners and businesses alike is how to cope with power outages that can range from inconvenient to costly and/or life threatening, especially with winter approaching. In this environment, an increasing number of home and business owners are finding backup power solutions with the extensive line of Honda generators. Ranging from their versatile portable generators to their durable and reliable standby models, Honda generators offer so many options and output levels that they can provide a solution for almost any purpose.

 For minimal power needs, Honda’s portable generators deliver enough backup power to run a major appliance, smaller appliances, and provide limited lighting. Honda’s larger standby generators have the output capacity to run multiple major appliances and, at the top end of output capacity, can power an entire home. Making the choice between these two categories and the specific generator that delivers the best solution comes down to determining output needs as well as some other considerations.

 For more information on finding the right solution in Honda generators for your home or business needs, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/

Preparing for Severe Weather

Beyond buying one of the long line of Honda generators to cover your essential power needs in the event of severe weather and/or a power outage, you’ll want to take several additional steps to ensure the safety and well being of everyone in your household. These preparations should be customized around the specific Honda generator you have chosen as your backup power solution. For example, an emergency checklist that being built around one of the many Honda Portable Generators will be more extensive than one being prepared around a standby generator due to the difference in output capabilities.

 The list of emergency steps and necessities includes:

 • Bottled water – The rule of thumb for storing water for emergency purposes is one gallon per day for each person in the house. Be sure to have a several day supply of water as well as canned food, beef jerky and other items that can be stored for extended periods.
• Medical supplies including essential prescriptions – Keep a first aid kit that contains several days of any essential prescriptions. Be sure to rotate these prescriptions to keep them from expiring. • Flashlights and batteries – These will be necessary to navigate dark areas of the home and outdoors, especially if you’re using a generator that isn’t powering the entire house.
• Foul weather gear – Having foul weather clothing and gear will allow you to get around outside to assess damage, communicate with neighbors, and perform other necessary tasks.
• Additional fuel for the generator - Unless your generator is tapped into a natural gas line that supplies the house, you’ll want to have extra fuel in the event of an extended outage.
• Extra chargers for cell phones – Depending on the situation, a cell phone may be the only communication device available. Having an extra charger that can be used in the home as well as one that that can draw power from a car battery can help to ensure that your cell phone has power.

 Having backup power supplied by Honda Generators is the first line of defense against severe weather and power outages. Developing an emergency supply inventory can add extra layers of protection for you and your family. For more information on Honda generators, visit: http://www.harborpowerhouse.com/ generator