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.

 

[3930dave]

Aha! Thanks for posting jgay. Shopping now.

Nice run and training session for your better-half.

TBN'ers are great at spending each other's money ...... JK, that is a good price for a ready-to-go annunciator.

Rgds, D.

 

[dragoneggs]

Nice run and training session for your better-half.

TBN'ers are great at spending each other's money ...... JK, that is a good price for a ready-to-go annunciator.

Rgds, D.

Yep, you just spent $29.95 of my money. At least free shipping on Amazon Prime and I will see it Friday. Maybe in time for the next power outage. Another rain storm expected Friday as well.

 

[dragoneggs]

Okay, update and timing is everything! We lost power again this afternoon. Another big wind/rain storm. I asked the better half to again learn how to go 'off the grid' switching over to generator power and she is getting it. I think the third time will be the charm. Anyways, also took the opportunity to install the 'Power on indicator alarm' while the power was out. About 12 hours now and the generator is purring, we got lights and refrigerator and TV, propane fire heat, a warm comforter, and each other. Hoping the alarm will be audible one floor above.

Here is a picture of alarm. Had to drill a hole through the cover panel. Fashioned up a grommet. Not sure if that is code. I can still shut and latch the access door but might make a tweak there to help it close better.



Now I just have to wait for the power to come on to see if the alarm works and I can hear it!

 

[buickanddeere]

Okay, update and timing is everything! We lost power again this afternoon. Another big wind/rain storm. I asked the better half to again learn how to go 'off the grid' switching over to generator power and she is getting it. I think the third time will be the charm. Anyways, also took the opportunity to install the 'Power on indicator alarm' while the power was out. About 12 hours now and the generator is purring, we got lights and refrigerator and TV, propane fire heat, a warm comforter, and each other. Hoping the alarm will be audible one floor above.

Here is a picture of alarm. Had to drill a hole through the cover panel. Fashioned up a grommet. Not sure if that is code. I can still shut and latch the access door but might make a tweak there to help it close better.

View attachment 460832

Now I just have to wait for the power to come on to see if the alarm works and I can hear it!

Should have used a 90 on the bottom of the indicator unit and went straight into panel. Can't have the cord jammed under the door.

 

[grsthegreat]

Spring is here........ first load. 4 more on the way.

now it needs to stop raining so i can start some installs

 

[3930dave]

Okay, update and timing is everything! We lost power again this afternoon. Another big wind/rain storm. I asked the better half to again learn how to go 'off the grid' switching over to generator power and she is getting it. I think the third time will be the charm. Anyways, also took the opportunity to install the 'Power on indicator alarm' while the power was out. About 12 hours now and the generator is purring, we got lights and refrigerator and TV, propane fire heat, a warm comforter, and each other. Hoping the alarm will be audible one floor above.

Here is a picture of alarm. Had to drill a hole through the cover panel. Fashioned up a grommet. Not sure if that is code. I can still shut and latch the access door but might make a tweak there to help it close better.

View attachment 460832

Now I just have to wait for the power to come on to see if the alarm works and I can hear it!

You sure are getting good use out of your Honda !

That alarm looks like it has just a sensor wire, and a ground wire - correct ?

Your Better-Half is getting enough practice, she'll be able to train other people soon :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Spring is here.....View attachment 460844... first load. 4 more on the way.

now it needs to stop raining so i can start some installs

No rest for the wicked, eh !

In between the snow and the rain, did you get a chance to get some downtime in ?

Rgds, D.

 

[dragoneggs]

You sure are getting good use out of your Honda !

That alarm looks like it has just a sensor wire, and a ground wire - correct ?

Your Better-Half is getting enough practice, she'll be able to train other people soon :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

Yep! Alarm worked. Yep just a sensor wrapped around one of the incoming hots and a ground attached to the ground bar. Power came on again late this morning. Problem is I couldn't hear it upstairs. Looks like I am now in the market for a baby monitor! Thought I was done with such gadgets. :laughing:

I probably will eventually hard mount the sensor with an elbow as suggested but I was impatient.

 

[grsthegreat]

No rest for the wicked, eh !

In between the snow and the rain, did you get a chance to get some downtime in ?

Rgds, D.

no, we had to cancel our vacation due to severe weather. Generator instalks and service never stopped. Very tired

 

[buickanddeere]

You sure are getting good use out of your Honda !

That alarm looks like it has just a sensor wire, and a ground wire - correct ?

Your Better-Half is getting enough practice, she'll be able to train other people soon :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

It's not a ground wire, it's a neutral conductor.