Ryobi 6500 Watt Portable Generator Review with CO Detection | RY906500S

Ryobi 6500-watt portable generator now includes CO detection and automatic shutdown

As we write this review of our Ryobi 6500 Watt Portable Generator, we are at the height of hurricane season and the Atlantic is cooking. Here in Florida, we have our eyes on storms as soon as they roll in from Africa. Even as the season slows down, the winter storm season will hit other parts of the country.

Every season is generator season somewhere, and there's never been a better time to find out how this Ryobi generator can meet those needs.

advantage

• Carbon monoxide detector automatically shuts down the generator when the concentration is too high
• 4 x 120V GFCI outlets and 1 x 120/240V outlet
• Sturdy frame construction, easy to fold
• $799 CO detection is a steal at this power level

shortcoming

• Placing the sensor downwind of the exhaust may cause false alarms (common to all CO sensors)
• Fuel valves won't let you run out of fuel lines and carburetors
• Not recommended for sensitive electronics

CO Detection: Carbon Monoxide Detection

New to this Ryobi 6500 Watt Portable Generator is CO detection technology. This is a sensor that measures carbon monoxide levels and automatically shuts off the engine if the concentration becomes too high.

One of the benefits of detecting CO on generators is that they respond to levels faster than you might have in your home or garage. Reduced CO buildup when automatic shutdown is activated, reducing your risk.

If the engine shuts down due to CO levels, the sensor will flash a red light to let you know there may be a dangerous situation. Be sure to give the area time to dissipate accumulated CO before entering.

Pro Tip: Place the generator so that the wind blows the exhaust away from the sensor to avoid false shutdown readings.

We hear stories every year of people who mistakenly thought they gave enough room to their generators and as a result carbon monoxide builds up and causes illness or death. Carbon monoxide detection helps reduce this risk and is something we like to see on our generators.

get started easy

The simplest starter generators feature electric start. While this model doesn't include that functionality, Ryobi still makes it really easy.

There are three settings in the Easy Start system: OFF, COLD START and RUN. When you move from off to cold start, the circuit is complete and the fuel value is partially on. In operation, the fuel valve is fully open.

The downside is that you can't close the fuel valve and let the engine blow gas out of the carburetor. However, if you're going to be storing the carb for a while, you can remove a screw to allow the carb to drain. If you're handy, you can also add a valve to the line with no trouble.

Above the CO sensor, there is an on/off switch. At first glance, it could be a sensor bypass, or maybe even a switch where the sensor trips when the CO level gets too high. It's just a standard generator on/off switch in a different location though. If you're having trouble starting the engine, take a quick look and make sure it's in the "on" position.

running watts and starting watts

This Ryobi generator provides 6500 watts of continuous operating power and can handle inrush currents up to 8125 watts.

From an architectural standpoint, that's a lot of power. Many residential workplaces run on 4000 watt generators, so you can provide a lot of power with this one.

On the emergency or remote power side of things, it all depends on what you want to do. Need to run a full size refrigerator, a few lights and a fan? no problem. Ryobi gives you enough power and more.

Anything that runs on a standard 120V outlet is fair game. A pair of GFCI protected duplex outlets (4 outlets total) can handle 20 amps each.

There is also a twist lock 120V/240V outlet with a 30 amp capacity.

To see what you can run with 6500 watts, check out the infographic at the bottom of this page or read this article to find out what size generator you need.

Total Harmonic Discharge (THD) is higher than 5 and lower than 20. Therefore, its "clean" power is not enough to run sensitive electronics, so there is no USB charging port on board.

Pro Tip: The extension cord you use will vary! Check out this article to help you choose the right one for your generator.

run, run, run

The generator rates its run time at 50% load, which is a fairly fair way of looking at it. On its 6 gallon tank, you can expect to run for 10 hours.

For construction sites, this number can be higher because most tool usage is brief rather than continuous load.

Depending on what you're running at home, you might be on either side. If you stick to the fridge and the few essentials, you'll get more. If you want to hook up and run your central air conditioning and other luxuries, plan for shorter run times.

For a basic contingency plan, expect to use about 16 gallons of fuel per day that you expect to be without power.

Pro tip: Avoid ethanol problems by using a stabilizer mixed with the fuel or by using ethanol-free gas.

noise level

To the best of our knowledge, there is no standard method for testing generator noise levels in the United States. As with any gas generator, there is a huge difference in the noise an engine makes at idle and at full throttle.

We did our own testing to see the noise levels you might have to deal with when you're at a safe working distance of 21 feet.

	idle	Full speed ahead
front	77 decibels	89 decibels
correct	77 decibels	91 decibels
rear	77 decibels	90 decibels
left	79 decibels	88 decibels
Average	77.5 dB	89.5 dB

transport and storage

Ryobi's frame is cart style (as opposed to cart style). The main handle goes straight up and you push the wheel forward to roll.

Our team was divided on our preference for this style versus the cart style, but we agreed that both would get the job done just fine.

The wheels are 10 inches in diameter, perfect for rolling on hard surfaces. They can stand wider to roll over grass and soil. Still, this is a common complaint with most portable generators.

We do like that the tire is more of a soft, semi-pneumatic design rather than hard plastic.

When it's time to stow the Ryobi 6500W Portable Generator, simply pull the spring pins on either side and rotate forward. Even with the handles tucked away, you still have access to the gas tank and all outlets.

Additional features

• Timer display next to outlet helps you track maintenance intervals
• Outlet cover helps keep out moisture and dust
• Low oil shutdown prevents major engine damage

You can get some luxury features with pricier models, such as automatic choke, electric start and electronic fuel injection. These aren't things we'd expect to find where Ryobi has priced this model, so we won't be disappointed by their absence.

price

We looked around for other models in the same power range that have carbon monoxide detection:

• Champion 100593 with CO Shield (6250 running watts): $749
• Generac GP6500 with COsense 7680: $799
• Ryobi RY906500S with CO Shutdown: $799
• DeWalt DXGNR6500 with CO protection: $899

As you can see, the Ryobi's pricing is mid-range, and not much higher than the less powerful Champion unit. Overall, the Ryobi's value proposition is solid, considering the features and features you get for this price.

the bottom line

We really like the versatility of this Ryobi 6500 Watt Portable Generator. We've got a real useful boost in usable power compared to 5000 watt units, and the CO detection sensor is fast becoming a must-have feature. Best of all, Ryobi delivers solid value, putting its portable power within the reach of budget-conscious contractors and forward-thinking homeowners alike.

Ryobi Portable Generator Specifications

• Model: Rimei RY906500S
• Operating power: 6500
• Starting wattage: 8125
• Engine size: 420cc
• Fuel tank capacity: 6 gallons
• Run time at 50% load: up to 10 hours
• Outlets: (4) 120V AC 20 Amp GFCI and (1) 120/240V 30A
• Wheel Size: 10 inches
• Weight: 205 lbs.
• Warranty: 3-year limited
• Price: $799