Your last generator Maintenance Run

[DarkBlack]

Because the water cooled engine has a sound absorbing water jacket whereas the air cooled engine only has cooling fins cast into the cylinder block and they amplify the sound of combustion as well...and usually the valve clearances on an air cooled engine are greater than a water cooled engine and that also contributes to increased mechanical noise.

Yes, I know that.
Hence I asked the question.

 

[DarkBlack]

is the extra expense to go 1800 rpm due to needing a larger higher torque engine or
a more expensive alternator? or both

4 pole generator heads, and motors, are always more expensive to manufacture than their 2 pole counterparts

 

[5030]

I will say the John Deere Turbocharged diesel in my Generac standby, by the shop is marginally noisy but I suspect most of that 'noise' comes from compression ignition the engine produces. My Kubota's are the same way and are especially noisy when cold.

Though I'll probably get 'flamed' for it. I use the same oil in ALL my internal combustion engines and have for years, Rotella T6 5-40. Spark ignition or compression ignition, they all get the same oil but they get changed very regularly and I do add Nano- Borate to the engine oil on all of them as well. The only exceptions are the compressors that get the correct Rarus compressor oil and the pressure washer pump that gets 3 weight non detergent pump oil. Never had issue one with anything and don't expect to either. Besides, I buy Rotella in drums, less expensive that way and the used oil gets burned in my waste oil furnace in the winter, in the shop. Never scrimp on filters either. They all get the manufacturers specified filters, oil, air and fuel.

 

[3930dave]

Most Generacs (at least mine do) have low oil and coolant (in the case of the diesel unit) shutdown. Not that they have ever did it as I'm always checking things on both of them. I like to check the overall 'health' every week. Only takes a couple minutes at most.

People tend to get lax about maintenance and that applies to everything, not just standby generators either. How many people check the air pressure in their tires regularly and why vehicles today come with air pressure monitors in the tires... because people never check the air pressure and radials can look inflated properly but in reality are low on pressure. Looks can be deceiving and it only takes a couple minutes to check them.

Same applies with starting batteries. I read threads on here where a posters tractor won't start and 99% of the time the starting battery has gotten to the end of it's life or the connections are corroded and have high resistance. I bever comment simply because I find those commenters to be sort of dumb and not worth a comment anyway. Starting batteries, especially flooded cell batteries have a definite lifespan and why mine get changed out if load tested and appear weak and when I change them out, all the connections and terminals get cleaned and brightened and then coated with a corrosion preventive. Never have had a battery related issue on anything I own, ever and I don't even own a 'jump start' pack. Don't need one so long as the starting battery and connections are maintained properly and the battery(s) are replaced when they get weak. Only 'tester' I own is a carbon pile load tester and I use it.

Amen Brother, and Pass The NoOx......

It's not that complicated, but many people (excluding present company) just ignore batteries..... which have only become even more function-critical, given all the electronics dumped into platforms in recent decades....

Rgds, D.

 

[groundcover]

3600 rpm directly to a 4 pole generator head would give you 120 hz power, unless that 3600 rpm engine has a gearbox between it and the head if it is turning at 3600 rpm directly to the generator head that would be a 2 pole generator head.

Yes, 2 pole, air cooled

 

[daugen]

in another thread story posted of neighbor in New England who had whole house generac put in,
installer aimed exhaust in direction of Bilco door, CO count in house 250.
CO sinks I believe so I guess it could go down the steps.
one more thing to remember, don't exhaust near basement steps.

 

[daugen]

it's 28 out now and the winds are howling, serious wind chill.
I have an open frame Westinghouse generator that has been running since dinner time last night.
And will run until 6pm tonight if PECO is telling the truth.

I turned unit off this morning to check the oil, and it was fine. I run full synthetic oil.
is there anything to be gained by turning off gen for an hour?

just went to TSC and filled up my primary 40 pounder which ran out at 4am this morning.
bottom six inches still there, cold enough out unit stopped when not empty. Running on 30 pounder now, will switch
back over to 40 this afternoon.

 

[Blue Mule]

There's a sticker on my Predator 3500 inverter generator that says "change oil every 8 hours". There is no way I'm changing the oil every day in this thing during a power outage. They're crazy.

I DO keep Sta-Bil and a small dose of carb cleaner in the tank, and I am on a schedule of running it for 15 minutes per month if it doesn't get used normally.

 

[daugen]

these are basic lawn mower engines, splash lube, no oil filter, so clearly not suited for long oil intervals.
We have more bad weather coming or I might change the oil tomorrow, otherwise will wait til after next run.
I think I'd be more concerned if it was 95 out vs 28.
easy to use suction oil changer, only takes about a quart

 

[grsthegreat]

I never run a generator continuously during prolong outage unless necessary. If its light enough outside, ill shut it sown for a few hours. Why waste fuel of not necessary. Now, if its sub zero temp and you need power for heat, thats different. But My house can maintain temp for quite awhile with everything shut down.