Here's a controversial take for you: I'd rather have a Honda generator in my workshop than a Siemens PLC S7-1200.
I know, I know. They're not competing products. One makes power, one controls processes. But I've spent the last 8 years coordinating emergency deliveries for industrial clients, and I've seen which piece of equipment actually saves the day when things go sideways. It's not always the one with the most I/O points.
In March 2024, I had a client call at 11 PM on a Thursday. Their factory's main PLC had failed—a Siemens S7-1200, ironically. They needed a replacement programmed and delivered by Saturday morning for a production run that couldn't miss. Normal lead time for a programmed unit with that spec? Three business days. We made it in 36 hours by paying $850 in rush fees on top of the $2,400 base cost. The client's alternative was a $50,000 penalty for missing their delivery. We saved them.
But here's the thing: that same week, another client lost power for 4 hours because their standby generator—a non-Honda unit—wouldn't start. They lost an entire batch of temperature-sensitive product. That loss? Over $30,000. And the root cause? A fuel pump issue that a simple 5-minute check would've caught.
People think the complex, expensive machine is the critical one. I think they're wrong.
The assumption is that high-tech equipment like a Siemens PLC is the backbone of modern industry. And it is—until the power goes out. Then your $600 controller becomes a paperweight. Your $1,200 Honda generator (like the EU2200i or a 2500 watt model) becomes the most valuable thing in the building.
Let me be clear: I'm not saying PLCs aren't important. They run our factories. But I've seen too many engineers obsess over the perfect automation setup while ignoring the basic infrastructure that keeps it running.
Three reasons I'd choose the generator every time
1. The generator is your insurance policy for everything else.
A Siemens S7-1200 can't function without power. A PLC programmer can't upload code without a charged laptop. An electric socket wrench won't tighten bolts without electricity. The Honda generator is the single point of failure for all of them. If it breaks, everything stops. I've learned this the hard way—we lost a $15,000 contract in 2022 because we tried to save $200 on a budget generator that failed during a test run.
2. A Honda generator is dead simple to maintain.
I'm not a mechanic. I'm a coordinator. But I can check the oil, swap a spark plug, and maybe diagnose a bad fuel pump. And honestly? That's almost all you need. Compare that to troubleshooting a Siemens PLC program or figuring out why your Siemens portal software won't connect. I've watched seasoned electricians spend hours on ladder logic issues. A generator? If it starts, it works. If it doesn't, 90% of the time it's fuel or battery. That's it.
3. Generators solve the problem that matters most in emergencies: time.
In my role coordinating rush orders for industrial clients, I've learned that time is the only resource you can't buy back. A PLC can be overnighted. A programmed unit can be couriered. A tech can be flown in. But if the power is out, none of that matters. A Honda generator, even a small portable light unit, buys you time. It's the difference between making your deadline and having to explain to your boss why the production line is dark.
I went back and forth on whether to write this. On paper, a Siemens S7-1200 is a more sophisticated piece of engineering. It's programmable, networkable, and endlessly configurable. But my gut says most people—especially small to mid-size shops—would get more real-world value from a reliable 2500-watt generator. The PLC is a tool for optimization. The generator is a tool for survival.
But wait—aren't generators harder to maintain than PLCs?
I hear this all the time. People think "I'm not a mechanic, I'm a programmer. PLCs are my world." And I get it. Looking at a fuel pump and wondering if it's bad can be intimidating. But honestly, diagnosing a generator issue is usually simpler than debugging a PLC fault.
How to know if your fuel pump is bad? If the engine cranks but won't start, and you've verified spark and compression, it's almost certainly fuel delivery. Listen for the pump to prime when you turn the key. No sound? Dead pump. Clogged filter? Replace it. That's a 15-minute fix and a $15 part. Compare that to replacing a PLC analog module or tracing a wiring fault back to a misconfigured sensor.
The assumption is that complex problems require complex solutions. The reality is that most failures are basic. A dead battery. A bad fuel pump. A loose wire. The same principle applies to your generator. Don't overthink it. Check the simple stuff first.
Let me be blunt: your Siemens PLC is only as good as your power source.
I've seen too many companies invest $5,000 in a new automation system and then plug it into a $300 generator from a big-box store. In Q3 2024, we tracked 12 emergency calls from clients with non-Honda generators. 8 of them had issues within the first year of ownership. The most common? Voltage instability that fried sensitive electronics. A Honda generator, with its inverter technology and clean sine wave output, is specifically designed to protect things like PLCs and computers. You're paying for peace of mind.
If you're setting up a workshop or a backup system, here's my practical advice: buy the best generator you can afford. A Honda generator 2500 watt model like the EU2200i is a solid choice for most shops—it'll run a PLC, a couple of computers, and a light or two. Don't compromise to save $200. You will regret it when the power goes out.
And no, I don't work for Honda. I've just seen too many situations where a cheap generator became an expensive lesson. In my experience, that's a lesson you don't want to learn on a Friday afternoon before a Monday deadline.
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