April 20, 2005—Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the iGX440 next-generation general purpose engine (max. output: 15hp; displacement: 438cm³), the world’s first single-cylinder general purpose engine to feature electronic engine speed control technology. The new engine will become available to power product manufacturers starting in July.

The iGX440 employs Honda’s newly developed world’s-first^*1 electronic governor^*2 (STR^*3 GOVERNOR) electronic engine speed control technology, which eliminates the need for a battery. The electronic governor system allows the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) to continuously monitor throttle opening and engine speed, electronically regulating throttle opening to maintain a constant engine speed even under changing engine load conditions. This intelligent control technology permits selection of the appropriate engine speed characteristics and the setting of optimum maximum and idling rpms for power products fitted with the iGX440. Also, the power product’s ECU can communicate with the engine’ ECU and control its speed, making the power product easier to operate.

In addition, an auto fuel valve^*4 and auto choke^*5 eliminate the need for the operator to open and close the fuel valve or adjust the choke, for a significant improvement in ease of operation.

The iGX440 also boasts environmental performance among the best in the world, achieving emissions levels approximately 30% less^*1 than those stipulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase 2 emission standards and the California Air Resources Board Tier II emissions standards—the most stringent in the world. Fuel economy has been improved over engines of the same class^*6 by approximately 15%^*7, and noise reduced by approximately 4dB(A)^*8.

In the future, Honda intends to expand its lineup of iGX-series engines employing this intelligent technology, to set a new standard in next-generation general purpose engines.

The newly developed world’s-first^*1 electronic governor system features a power coil^*9 which generates electricity to start the ECU, making a battery unnecessary. This governor system allows the ECU to continuously monitor throttle opening and engine speed, electronically regulating throttle opening to maintain a constant, stable engine speed even under changing load conditions. Engine speed characteristics can be selected from among nine different settings, and maximum and idling rpm settings freely changed to suit power products fitted with the iGX440, making it readily adaptable to a variety of different applications.

The ECU precisely controls engine speed to ensure a minimum of variations from the set speed fluctuations due to ambient temperature, engine break-in, or load.

All control systems are electronically connected by wire. This makes operation easier and allows one-touch connection between the power products switch and the engine via a coupler connection for remote-controlled engine speed adjustment.

Communication between the engine’s ECU and the power product’s ECU allows the power product to control engine speeds for improved operability.

A blinking LED provides error confirmation and facilitates easy troubleshooting diagnosis. Connecting the engine to a personal computer provides a more detailed diagnosis, allowing the operator to check the engine’s operating history (operating time, number of startups, warnings, faulty operation reports, etc.).

An automatic fuel valve4 that eliminates the need to open and close the valve manually when starting and stopping the engine, adjustment-free auto choke5, air cleaner made of new material for a longer maintenance interval, large-diameter filler mouth for easier gas fill-ups, and other features contribute to improved ease of operation.

The iGX440 achieves emissions levels around 30% less1 than those stipulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Phase 2 emission standards and the California Air Resources Board Tier II emissions standards—the most stringent in the world. Its environmental performance is among the highest in the world. Fuel economy has also been improved over engines of same class6 by approximately 15%7, and noise reduced by approximately 4dB(A)8.