Your last generator Maintenance Run

[LittleBill21]

That looks like a well thought-out controller; good service reminders.

Does the fluid-sensor sit in one cell to detect height in a flooded lead-acid battery ?

Rgds, D.

I have the same unit, linked below. They sell a special battery, thats has a port drilled in it, and you put a long probe into it, when its not sitting at "positive" voltage the light will alarm, you can use a regular battery like we do, but you need to drill the case if you care enough. my unit is NOT agm.

Amazon.com

 

[3930dave]

I have the same unit, linked below. They sell a special battery, thats has a port drilled in it, and you put a long probe into it, when its not sitting at "positive" voltage the light will alarm, you can use a regular battery like we do, but you need to drill the case if you care enough. my unit is NOT agm.

Amazon.com

Interesting, thanks for the 411 Bill. I like how they've set up the Service Monitors.

I use AGM for certain things, but for bulk power, I'll certainly consider traditional FLA.

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

I noticed wind had blown off cover to Westinghouse gen, so good time to run it...
ran fine but all kinds of little bits of stuff blew out of bottom. Hmmm.
got my small Makita leaf blower and went to work on gen, some leaves and junk
including a full peanut shell from the bird feeder.

must be a great little home for something under that cover
whenever I pull off a cover outside, always wonder what's underneath.
I have to air blast that gen several times a year.

on propane, so far...., every time, starts on 1003.

 

[daugen]

I use AGM for certain things, but for bulk power, I'll certainly consider traditional FLA.

I did not want a FLA battery on a charger in my basement. I doubt the off gassing is that much but did not like the idea.
A LIPO4 battery I guess would be optimum.

 

[3930dave]

I did not want a FLA battery on a charger in my basement. I doubt the off gassing is that much but did not like the idea.
A LIPO4 battery I guess would be optimum.

At high-charge levels, enclosure/forced ventilation etc w. FLA would be prudent. Scale is different (building volume) but think of all the electric pallet-jacks etc that get charged indoors, with some form of lead-acid battery onboard.

Haven't looked @ LIPO4 charge characteristics/stability yet.... something for a rainy day.

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

some very high level maintenance today.
4am power goes out.
I head outside with flashlight and push the button.
wizzzzzzzz
try again
wizzzzzzz
sigh, starter not engaging.
decided to try manual start, being very careful, lot of kickback with this big single.
Started on first pull. That was impressive.

tap tap tap with hammer
started right up but not quite right and for sure that is not how I want to start this thing.
I guess I should take it all apart and make sure there isn't a walnut or something in there.

 

[3930dave]

some very high level maintenance today.
4am power goes out.
I head outside with flashlight and push the button.
wizzzzzzzz
try again
wizzzzzzz
sigh, starter not engaging.
decided to try manual start, being very careful, lot of kickback with this big single.
Started on first pull. That was impressive.

tap tap tap with hammer
started right up but not quite right and for sure that is not how I want to start this thing.
I guess I should take it all apart and make sure there isn't a walnut or something in there.

2 is One.... (methods for starting....) nice performance on the pull-start.

Planning to take the starter apart, or intake ? Mice pack stuff in the oddest places.....

How cold was it a 4am your way ?

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

cold wasn't bad, about 50. Tonight it goes down...
yes, I need to take it all apart.
headed out with a small air blower again, finding residuals of critters that make
me wonder what else is in there. This is a sealed starter though. ?

 

[kozal01]

Did an 18 hour maintenance run on my Predator 3500 inverter yesterday and today because of a power outage. lol

 

[3930dave]

cold wasn't bad, about 50. Tonight it goes down...
yes, I need to take it all apart.
headed out with a small air blower again, finding residuals of critters that make
me wonder what else is in there. This is a sealed starter though. ?

At a guess, I'd expect the starter to be sealed (not like marine-sealed, you know that world.... but "normal" sealed).

Let us know how it tests out.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Did an 18 hour maintenance run on my Predator 3500 inverter yesterday and today because of a power outage. lol

Using a nasty IC engine to stay warm, with Winter coming.... How Dare You !

JK, in case my sense of humour is non-obvious

I've heard good things about the Predator standard gasoline replacement engines - how do you like that inverter unit (aside from Saving The Day, yesterday !).

Rgds, D.

 

[kozal01]

Using a nasty IC engine to stay warm, with Winter coming.... How Dare You !

JK, in case my sense of humour is non-obvious

I've heard good things about the Predator standard gasoline replacement engines - how do you like that inverter unit (aside from Saving The Day, yesterday !).

Rgds, D.

Ha ha ha!!

I really like this generator, I bought it to power my camper and its super quiet and has been very reliable. For the price I cannot complain.

 

[3930dave]

Ha ha ha!!

I really like this generator, I bought it to power my camper and its super quiet and has been very reliable. For the price I cannot complain.

Been a while since I looked @ that lineup..... definitely more offerings.

I could see that 5k inverter dual-fuel following me home..... good thing I haven't been to HF in a long time.....

Rgds, D.

 

[aba4430]

Ran this unit for an hour yesterday after @5 months. Started up with no issues.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I’d say you’re lucky. Better to run it sooner/oftener if possible. The last thing you want is to find out it wouldn’t run when you need it to.

 

[WinterDeere]

I never run mine between emergencies. Stabilizer with any fuel going in, then run fuel tank down low, shut off fuel valve to run the line dry, drain all fluids from carburetor bowl and crank case, refill crank case with fresh oil, and store. Always ready for next time, whether it's 3 weeks or 3 years from now. Just pull it out of storage, fill tank with fresh fuel and stabilizer, open fuel valve and start.

 

[Robin Veerman]

You’re doing things right for sure. I just got the sense that the previous poster was bragging about how well everything went, with no mention of any kind of plan. See how he exercises that big generator….with a lightbulb?

 

[WinterDeere]

You’re doing things right for sure. I just got the sense that the previous poster was bragging about how well everything went, with no mention of any kind of plan. See how he exercises that big generator….with a lightbulb?

Thanks, Rob.

I guess it depends on the type of generator, intended usage, and even climate and where it's stored. I feel my plan is the best for a portable gasoline generator kept in a dry safe place, used only in emergencies, and never sitting more than maybe 3 years. If I had to store it longer, say 5-10 years, then I'd completely drain the fuel tank rather than just draining the carb bowl and trying to leave the tank very low on fuel with stabilizer. If I were storing it outdoors in the rain, or any wet environment, the plan would change again.

It's worth noting that all of us come up with our own plans based more on logic than data. Who has 100 generators running in groups of 10/each under different maintenance plans, over the course of years or decades, to really develop any statistically-valid opinion on what maintenance protocol works best? And as soon as you have good data from such an endeavor, the technology, fuel, or oil types change, invalidating all that hard-won data.

 

[aba4430]

We do have a Eaton branded 20KW whole house generator; this one automatically exercises once a week (also without any load). It did come on about two months ago when we had a power outage for a couple of hours and worked well. The 12K Watt peak and 9.5K Watt continuous rated presently defunct Japanese built Subaru is a highly regarded unit, and is a pure back-up. The check interval was extended this time due to move related issues. Next test will be sometime early 2024. I start is up every couple to three months typically and never had any issues. It is also on a good diet of ethanol free gas.

The last post which alluded to my bragging failed to note that the lamp used was a puny 7 watt equivalent LED bulb. It was turned on and off at @5 min intervals and the idle down feature of the generator worked flawlessly each time the lamp was turned off. The voltage regulation of the generator is exceptional and the "same" puny LED lamp has been utilized mostly when exercising the generator, other than a few occasions where two 1500 watt heaters are plugged in for additional load.

Separately, the generator is equipped the same Yuasa 500 CCA AGM battery I had installed when I purchased the generator in 2017. Due to routine maintenance, I don't typically have issues with my vehicles including lawn/garden and power equipment. They work as intended, touch wood!

 

[3930dave]

We do have a Eaton branded 20KW whole house generator; this one automatically exercises once a week (also without any load). It did come on about two months ago when we had a power outage for a couple of hours and worked well. The 12K Watt peak and 9.5K Watt continuous rated presently defunct Japanese built Subaru is a highly regarded unit, and is a pure back-up. The check interval was extended this time due to move related issues. Next test will be sometime early 2024. I start is up every couple to three months typically and never had any issues. It is also on a good diet of ethanol free gas.

The last post which alluded to my bragging failed to note that the lamp used was a puny 7 watt equivalent LED bulb. It was turned on and off at @5 min intervals and the idle down feature of the generator worked flawlessly each time the lamp was turned off. The voltage regulation of the generator is exceptional and the "same" puny LED lamp has been utilized mostly when exercising the generator, other than a few occasions where two 1500 watt heaters are plugged in for additional load.

Separately, the generator is equipped the same Yuasa 500 CCA AGM battery I had installed when I purchased the generator in 2017. Due to routine maintenance, I don't typically have issues with my vehicles including lawn/garden and power equipment. They work as intended, touch wood!

Nice wattage/coverage.

Find a protocol that works for you; stay with it till it doesn't.

Gasoline is a big variable. W/O going to racing gas etc, e-free has pretty much been wiped out here, in the last year

Rgds, D.