Generator how often and how long to run to prevent loss of magnetism - power

[johneic]

I read here recently about Gensets needing to be run regularly to prevent loss of magnetism resulting in no longer generating electricity, they still start and run they just no longer produce electricity from not being run for awhile.

I understand this happens with the lower priced generators (Chinese)

I have a DuroMax 4400 and a Sportsman 1000 (for a back up - and portable power) which I believe are Chinese gensets.

Both run on propane but I do not think that matters for the purpose of this discussion. the 4400 is plumbed into my 1,000 gal propane tank by my propane company, the 1,000 runs off of a BBQ propane tank.

Being spring, I ran both today after being stored all winter for about five minutes and loaded both with my sawsall for about a minute.

Throughout spring - summer - fall I usually run them every few months, as I think to do so, and load them with a light bulb.

They are for back up power in case of loss of (REA) power company electricity, the 1000 as a back up to my 4400 to run my hydronic floor heat recirculating pump, if needed.

So my questions:

1) Is twice a year enough to prevent demagnetism? or more often?

2) Is five minutes enough run time to prevent demagnetism?

3) Is one minute under load needed? or should it be longer?

John

 

[mcfarmall]

No, no, no. I'd run it every 2 months for 20-30 minutes loaded with two 1000 watt quartz halogen light fixtures. This will also cook any moisture out of the windings and get the grease slopped around real good in the bearings.

 

[George2615]

Can't really answer your question about preventing loss of magnetism on your generators. Just passing on what I do for my generators.
I have a Miller Bobcat 10KW welder generator that I use mainly for house backup power and occasional field use for welding.
The generator runs on gas.
I keep the battery hooked to a smart charger to keep it topped off and ready to start.
I run it once every two months for 1/2 hour with a 1500W load or as needed when street power goes out.

I also have a 3500W inverter generator I use for my travel trailer. It gets used a lot in the summer but during winter months I also run it once every two months for about a half hour just to keep the battery charged.

I run Non-ethanol fuel in both generators and add fuel stabilizer (Stabil).

 

[JerryK]

I keep my generator in a large dry barn. Has syn oil in it. I run it every two-four years for about an hour under moderate load. Run it for about 40 minutes, suck as much gas out of it as I can, then let it run until it goes dry. If you are going to run it, like any motor, you should get it up to operating temp for a period of time. I let it cool down, roll it back where I store it. Then cover it with a box and a sheet. With the hook up cable on top of it.

 

[Alien]

Never heard of a Gen losing magnetism. LOL Really, the only thing that can cause that is extreme heat. Highly unlikely. I put mine in the shed and only start it every 12 months or so. Biggest thing is to make sure you run the carburettor dry each time you run it as they develop varnish deposits over time and it is extremely hard to clean out.
Occasionally I put some injector cleaner in and run it as that cleans varnish deposits but use with caution. Don't use it in plastic fuel tanks and read the instructions.

 

[LouNY]

I keep my generator in a large dry barn. Has syn oil in it. I run it every two-four years for about an hour under moderate load. Run it for about 40 minutes, suck as much gas out of it as I can, then let it run until it goes dry. If you are going to run it, like any motor, you should get it up to operating temp for a period of time. I let it cool down, roll it back where I store it. Then cover it with a box and a sheet. With the hook up cable on top of it.

That's about what I'd do.
I do run my generator for an hour or so every fall with a good load on it to make sure that its in good shape, so at least once a year.
Yes, they can lose the magnetism needed to start generating, it can be restored with a brush type motor (drill) rotated by hand.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

30 minutes at 50% load AT LEAST every 6 months, that what my 15kw gen set manual says...

SR

 

[k0ua]

Never heard of a Gen losing magnetism. LOL Really, the only thing that can cause that is extreme heat. Highly unlikely. I put mine in the shed and only start it every 12 months or so. Biggest thing is to make sure you run the carburettor dry each time you run it as they develop varnish deposits over time and it is extremely hard to clean out.
Occasionally I put some injector cleaner in and run it as that cleans varnish deposits but use with caution. Don't use it in plastic fuel tanks and read the instructions.

Uh, you would be wrong. I have personal experience with loss of magnetism in a generator and went thu the flash procedure to bring it back to life.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Some generators just need to be flashed. Usually easy to do, but not something you want to do when you need it. In fact, I have a small Yanmar Diesel Portable that for some reason will not retain its magnetism, but works perfectly. I just mounted a small pushbutton to flash it every time.