I just got off the phone with my Honda Rep. Running the generator or having the generator will effect the aluminum parts detrimentally because they will corrode more than if it was in no salt air. His statement was specifically "If you run the generator or have it in salt air it will no longer last forever".
I take that as a positive statement and an honest one because he and I both expect this product to last forever in normal conditions. I pinned him down and asked, "If you do not have ocean spray actually hitting the unit, but you have it in salt air, how long will it last?". His answer was, "10 years".
His name is Nobe Takagi. Yes he is Japanese. He has never lied to me.