which portable generators do people have

[Michael Aos]

I've been curious about break-in as well. Just started using my new generator and Harbor Freight Chipper Shredder.

There were no break-in instructions with the generator.

Here's what it says for the chipper:

Break-in period:

a. Breaking-in the engine will help to ensure proper equipment and engine operation.
b. The operational break-in period will last about 3 hours of use. During this period:
• Do not apply a heavy load to the equipment.
• Do not operate the engine at its maximum speed.
c. The maintenance break-in period will last about 20 hours of use.
• Change the engine oil after this period.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I just purchased a Harbor Freight Predator 8750/7000 13hp gas generator, for $529.00 with the wheel kit.

I have to say it appears to be a 9 out 10 in quality, fit and finish. It has a cast iron Honda clone engine.

Well, the ones I looked at, weren't "cast iron"... I have one of those 13hp motors too, and it's not CI, nor is the one my brother has...

My brother bumped the carb on his, and he had a problem getting parts, Honda parts did NOT fit either...

He says the casting was thinner than a Honda part and rather fragile...

SR

 

[Ford850]

i have the same generator, im curious as to why you think a no load break in is the right way to go?

also thats a pretty thick oil for a splash lube in the winter no? i use 5w-30

and according to HF the THD on this generator is <25% which is not considered clean although i did scope it and it looks very good

one thing i ran into though, was the governor spring can/will osculate when coming from a high load to an idle or vice vs. i ended up adding a piece of 1/2 pipe foam insulation over the spring to stop it from osculating. that made it much more stable for me

i hope u change the oil before 20 hours, alot of metal in it after only 1 hour of breakin, ( i do a varying load break in) so mine may have had more metal in it

This is from the generators manual:

8. Break-in Period:
a. Breaking-in the engine will help to ensure proper equipment and engine operation.
b. The operational break-in period will last about 3 hours of use.
During this period:
Do not apply a heavy load to the equipment.
c. The maintenance break-in period will last about 20 hours of use.
After this period:
Change the engine oil.

 

[TheMan419]

This is from the generators manual:

8. Break-in Period:
a. Breaking-in the engine will help to ensure proper equipment and engine operation.
b. The operational break-in period will last about 3 hours of use.
During this period:
Do not apply a heavy load to the equipment.
c. The maintenance break-in period will last about 20 hours of use.
After this period:
Change the engine oil.

My non HF generator has the same instructions. It is getting its 18.7 hour oil change this weekend after 1.2 hours of run time

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I don't change the oil after brief test runs, but I never store an engine with used oil in it. A generator will run a week just fine without an oil change, but shutting it down after 8 hours means an oil change.

 

[rbstern]

I don't change the oil after brief test runs, but I never store an engine with used oil in it. A generator will run a week just fine without an oil change, but shutting it down after 8 hours means an oil change.

That seems excessive.

 

[Michael Aos]

The manual for my new 1600W generator says to start it in "normal" (high RPM) mode, then move to eco mode after it's warmed up.

It also talks about not using eco-mode for heavy loads.

My thinking is that constant / consistent RPM's are a bad thing when breaking in a motor, so I switch to eco mode as soon as it's warmed up.

First task was vacuuming the shed. Should have put the RPM's all over the place.

 

[Michael Aos]

How do you add an hour meter? That would be really handy.

 

[TomSeller]

How do you add an hour meter? That would be really handy.

Hour meters for run time on a Generator are typically just wired to voltage on the output. Many (most?) have them.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

That seems excessive.

It's a quart of oil. How can changing it be excessive?