Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

Basically, wind chill is a way to measure how fast heat is pulled from something, down to the ambient temp...

Yes, you can stretch synthetic oil changes, but I wouldn't get carried away with that...

SR

Good quality Synth will perform a little better, esp. in terms of cold flow. But, as many gens being discussed in this thread hold less oil than my largest coffee mug, I just change out no later than rated hours - easy enough to do, and not expensive.

One advantage to continuous runs (extended outage) is the engine is plenty hot... no fear of condensation in oil.....

Any spec rated oil will work; this is one I like for older equipment spec'd for straight 30:

AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke Synthetic Small Engine Oil

Rgds, D.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I run synthetic oil in my air cooled gas engines, because some of them get worked pretty hard and synthetic oil takes the higher heat better, especially when they are worked hard in the summer temps...

SR

 

[kevinwak]

:thumbsup: I've been busy attending to some vehicle issues/needed maintenance/cold temperature stuff...... as intended, this thread is helping remind me to schedule my runs for next week. Rgds, D.

I happened into the local Honda shop that was having a closing out sale. I found a camo storage cover for the EU2000i for half price! $18 cover, I couldn't turn it down.

 

[3930dave]

I happened into the local Honda shop that was having a closing out sale. I found a camo storage cover for the EU2000i for half price! $18 cover, I couldn't turn it down.

If I used that cover in the woods, I'd probably never find my generator ! :confused3:

JK, that is a good deal... some of the Honda accessories can be spendy.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I run synthetic oil in my air cooled gas engines, because some of them get worked pretty hard and synthetic oil takes the higher heat better, especially when they are worked hard in the summer temps...

SR

Less burn off...... in the olde days, that was one of the reasons straight 30 was suggested for air-cooled. Back When, that was about the only option.

Conventional oil has come a long way in the last 10-15 years, but you really need a synthetic to hit some of today's automotive specs, like GF-5.

That oil in post 741 has a 4% NOACK #, great for handling extended high-heat operation. A conventional will probably still work at the same ambient temperature, you'll just be topping it up more often.

Rgds, D.

 

[kevinwak]

If I used that cover in the woods, I'd probably never find my generator ! :confused3: JK, that is a good deal... some of the Honda accessories can be spendy. Rgds, D.

the goal of the cover is to lose it in the woods. That bright Honda red sure sticks out and it is so easy for somebody to walk away with these suitcase sized gens. I feel security is less about putting big locks on stuff and more about not letting others know it is there. Really hard to steal a gen if you don't know about it.

 

[3930dave]

the goal of the cover is to lose it in the woods. That bright Honda red sure sticks out and it is so easy for somebody to walk away with these suitcase sized gens. I feel security is less about putting big locks on stuff and more about not letting others know it is there. Really hard to steal a gen if you don't know about it.

Makes sense..... hide in plain sight often works :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[dragoneggs]

Well, I had a forced 'maintenance' run yesterday. We had quite a wind/rain storm and we lost power for about 8 hours. It was nice that the power went out during the daylight so I took the opportunity to have the wifey do the switch over using the mechanical interlock on the service panel, turning on the electric start Honda gen, and flipping certain breakers back on for gen power. We enjoyed a semi-roughing evening by the fire and TV and limited lighting. My only issue is that I have to call the neighbors each time and ask them to let me know when the power is back on because I don't have a way to tell or be alerted otherwise. So, my gen got a good work out and wife is more prepared for when I am gone! :thumbsup:

 

[jgayman]

Well, I had a forced 'maintenance' run yesterday. We had quite a wind/rain storm and we lost power for about 8 hours. It was nice that the power went out during the daylight so I took the opportunity to have the wifey do the switch over using the mechanical interlock on the service panel, turning on the electric start Honda gen, and flipping certain breakers back on for gen power. We enjoyed a semi-roughing evening by the fire and TV and limited lighting. My only issue is that I have to call the neighbors each time and ask them to let me know when the power is back on because I don't have a way to tell or be alerted otherwise. So, my gen got a good work out and wife is more prepared for when I am gone! :thumbsup:

You need one of these!



PowerBack Utility Power Return Alert, Reliance Controls Model # THP108 ~$30

I have one and it works fantastic.

 

[dragoneggs]

You need one of these!

View attachment 459299

PowerBack Utility Power Return Alert, Reliance Controls Model # THP108 ~$30

I have one and it works fantastic.

Aha! Thanks for posting jgay. Shopping now.