Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

I've been thinking about a home standby generator for several years. I keep coming back to the idea of a liquid cooled 1800 rpm LP fueled gen set but you're into $10K plus. I see where the less expensive models have valves that need to be periodically adjusted for lash, the more expensive models have hydraulic lifters with no adjustment required.

Good service point you raise John.

Some of us would be Ok doing those adjustments, but a lot of people don't want to, or want to learn the basic skills needed. I guess that's one item to investigate - Do you need an authorized service tech doing the valve adjustments to maintain warranty on the unit ?

Permanent installation amps up (pun intended) the qualified service issue. Would be pain with a portable to drive or ship it a long ways for service, but at least it's an option.

Depending on manufacturer, who is authorized to do installations may require separate certifications for service work. It's a bit of a Catch22 in remote areas...... you may have a much higher need for a good standby generator, but may have a big challenge getting anybody who is officially qualified to do service to show up, regardless of price......

Long ramble over my x coffee of the day..... field-service support on the big systems is at least as important as design/build quality.....

Rgds, D.

 

[grsthegreat]

I've been thinking about a home standby generator for several years. I keep coming back to the idea of a liquid cooled 1800 rpm LP fueled gen set but you're into $10K plus. I see where the less expensive models have valves that need to be periodically adjusted for lash, the more expensive models have hydraulic lifters with no adjustment required.

Well, not quite. Generac 13 and 16kw units have hydraulic valves on automatic standby units. The 20 and 22 kw units will soon have them also. But then again, the valves pnly need to be adjusted at 25run hours then every 400 run hours. And it only takes about 30 minutes to adjust them.

i think all kohler units are hydraulic valves. When generac switched to hydraulic valves, generator costs did not increase.

 

[johncanfield]

I had a 1972 VW bus, every 10,000 miles I was underneath it adjusting the valves. No air conditioning, poor heater, way under powered but ... no it was a piece of crap :laughing:

 

[TractorGuy]

Speaking of generators.... my brother in law currently has a Miller 400 welder (diesel engine) and it's on a trailer. I understand it can also duplicate as a generator.

He's asking $2,500 and if I recall, It has 5,733 hours on it.

Runs smooth as a watch, starts "right now" and welds like a champ (been using it on my backhoe)

What I'm wondering is..... would that be a worthy purchase for someone who:

a: Would like to possibly get a welder for himself (but has NEVER done any welding and would need some training/education)
b: Would like to get a generator (but currently has NO provisions in the house to easily plug this in)

He bought it at an auction, it was originally owned by...SunBelt if I have the correct name.... it was originally painted green and someone painted over the green to make it Miller Blue.


Edited to correct hours to what's on machine and add picture. (it's GREEN under the blue pain)

It's a Miller Big Blue 400-D, BIL is asking $2,800

Thoughts? (should I buy it, have my generator and figure out how to weld later?)


View attachment 659605

I didn't look at the specs but if it will do a continuous 10k that should be a decent value.

If you buy it you will want to build a load bank to give it a good load every now and then to prevent wet stacking. Diesels don't like to be under worked.

I have a military surplus that is diesel and rated at 10k continuous. I run it for an hour every month with a 10,800 watt load. I built a load bank with a 120v fan and 240v 5400 watt dryer elements.

 

[dragoneggs]

If you buy it you will want to build a load bank to give it a good load every now and then to prevent wet stacking. Diesels don't like to be under worked.

This is why I would shy away unless I knew I would use it a fair amount. My genny just sits there looking good for the vast majority of its days. Power outages and maybe a once a year jaunt in my tractor bucket to power my electric pole saw.

 

[TractorGuy]

This is why I would shy away unless I knew I would use it a fair amount. My genny just sits there looking good for the vast majority of its days. Power outages and maybe a once a year jaunt in my tractor bucket to power my electric pole saw.

Mine has seen over a 100 hours use from outages in the 3 years I've had it. Best money I ever spent.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Beats the heck out of a nice leather sofa in an outage. lol


I said before. I use my 5KW Hot Tub as a test load for my Onan 7.5. So not just wasting the Diesel. BUT, it's terribly discouraging how slowly that heats the water. Like, for actually trying to heat the water, it's a lost cause for fuel cost and run time. Do the math, 1000 liters, give or take.

 

[dragoneggs]

Mine has seen over a 100 hours use from outages in the 3 years I've had it. Best money I ever spent.

:drink: That is good usage.

 

[ultrarunner]

Multiquip has a Kubota Diesel Welder/Generator that is below 60 db(a) and sips fuel rated at 300 amp for welding and 10.5 kW

DLW300ESA1

 

[ultrarunner]

Multiquip has a Kubota Diesel Welder/Generator that is below 60 db(a) and sips fuel rated at 300 amp for welding and 10.5 kW...

DLW300ESA1

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw3LNFR_hlPs4lZ-fuVkL97i&cshid=1592200850855

Not cheap I'm sure...