Back up Generators - finally looking.

[orezok]

I've already done that, and it's looking good. I'm busy with firewood and landscaping right now, so won't get to the generator until spring. I have decided there is just enough room in my water system distribution shack, where the feeds for the well pump and the cistern pump split. I'll feed the exhaust through the wall, install an interlock, battery, and maintainer, and use it as a dedicated water system generator. It should be far enough from the house that the generator noise will not be audible, and the electric start will make it convenient enough. I have a collection of brass fuel valves and fittings, so think I will rig up an "exercise" fuel tank with about 8-12 oz. of gasoline that will let me avoid stored gas in the main tank. If it runs 20 minutes or so before running dry, that should be enough. I love that it uses a screen and sediment bowl instead of a fuel filter.

I'm also thinking about what motor oil to use in such an old engine. The cam lobe solid lifters require zinc in the oil to minimize wear. Not that the engine will likely get enough hours to make it an issue, but I've checked oil analysis, and it looks like Rotella-T is the best oil for engines built with the old mechanical lifters. It pleases me to think of using a 60 year old generator. It's the tech I grew up with, so nostalgia plays a big part. If I can find replacement brushes, it will be good for the next couple of generations. Pun intended.

Most “racing” oils are high in zinc

 

[Fxfymn413]

I used a portable unit with a manual transfer switch for years, but I worked 24 hour shifts and travelled a lot for my part-time gigs, so inevitably Mrs. Murphy's Law would kick in while I was gone. You know; If something can go wrong it will when Mr. Murphy is not around to fix it; and the portable would not start, etc. so we installed a 16Kw air cooled Generac unit.

It has been in for over 20 years and up until recently worked flawlessly. During a recent outage it quit under load due to an overspeed condition which turned out to be caused by the butterfly valve dropping off of the shaft and wedging into the venturi. All mechanical things break on occasion and it's just one of those things. Like others mine has never burned a drop of oil.

I put an hour meter on mine when I installed it and I just crossed 350 hours, so I think you will find it pretty hard to wear out.

I do not think the unit is noisy, but if you are concerned about the noise level spend a little more and install it further away from the house.

Suggestion, re oil:
From a petroleum eng I understand that diesel oils contain an additive that will help minimize wear on those old mechanical lifters.

I had the chance to listen to the guy who was the chief petroleum engineer for Ford talk about lubrication for antique vehicles. In a nut shell he recommended diesel oils such as Rotella for any antique vehicle. It's what I use in my antique Mack.

 

[not2old]

Brushes:
I have a few times been able to simply modify larger ones by hacksaw, sandpaper and or filing.

I've done the same thing numerous times when I was a kid because they wanted money for the brushes I needed and making my own from scrounged sources was free.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Suggestion, re oil:
From a petroleum eng I understand that diesel oils contain an additive that will help minimize wear on those old mechanical lifters.
Brushes:
I have a few times been able to simply modify larger ones by hacksaw, sandpaper and or filing.

That's why I settled on Rotella-T, which as far as I can tell has the highest zinc concentration of modern motor oils. I have a friend who restores old cars, and he always adds a zinc additive to the oil of his old flatheads to minimize wear. My judgment is that he knows what he is talking about.

Good to know about the brushes. You may have presented me with a fine rationalization for buying a bench belt sander.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Most “racing” oils are high in zinc

I think pulling zinc out of the motor oils (remember Pennzoil Z7?) had something to do with the catalytic converter. That would not be a factor for a race car.

 

[PILOON]

"Good to know about the brushes. You may have presented me with a fine rationalization for buying a bench belt sander."

Gee, you're not a real tool junky like I am, LOL, I don't need excuses as long as it looks handy and price is right.
But then I can't move in my shop and still looking for that tool that I know I have, but where is it ?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

An interesting video about Honda repairs. They make great engines. Electronics, not so much. Commercial for Champion at the end.

Taryl Dactyl is a half comedy fixit site.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

And yet, both of my Honda generators keep going and going and going...

SR

 

[Larry Caldwell]

And yet, both of my Honda generators keep going and going and going...

SR

Until the inverter fries. Then it's a boat anchor.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Until the inverter fries. Then it's a boat anchor.

True story, but EVERYTHING dies, it's just a matter of when.

My Honda 2000 is OLD and it's still going with a lot of use, so if it dies, it's paid for itself. The 2800 is newer and still starts, runs and works perfectly too. I suspect I'll get my moneys worth out of it too.

SR