Your last generator Maintenance Run

[TheMan419]

You can always "boost" it from your car or what ever else you have around there with a batt. in it.

You DO keep a GOOD set of jumper cables around, don't you?

SR

Yes both cars have a good set in them and the shop has a set of its own. Can't ever be too far away from a set of cables .

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A couple days ago I bought this,

I put oil/fuel in it and it started right up. I let it run a while and then plugged the fans on my wood stove in and then my basement sump pump, there was no delay at all when they all started together, so it's now good to go and I'm very happy with it...

It's a pretty good power increase, over my Honda 2000 that I was using for short outages...

SR

 

[ultrarunner]

Christmas came early... you must have been very good.

I really like the small Honda offerings... still have my EX1000 from 1990 and keep it on the truck since new.

 

[PILOON]

A neighbour (admittedly, with more $ than I) buys vehicles brand-new, then always replace the battery at 5 years old. He used to build stock-cars, so knows his way around machinery...... He said "That way, they always start, and alternators seem to last longer too". Some truth there.....

Alternately, if you have a good industrial battery supply place nearby, they should be able to load-test you present battery for you.

UR may comment on exact time-limits, but I know batteries on medical equipment get cycled out-of-service after not that many months on-line.

Rgds, D.

Back when I was a sales rep (60- 70's) I also changed batteries every 3-4 years.
My logic was a battery was the same price as a boosting and I did not lose valuable 'salesman hours' waiting for that boost.
Management agreed!
Same logic was used for tires. Why wait till bald, change early and enjoy good traction vs wait last minute and let the used buyer have nice new tires. Simple logic.
Big problem was the # crunchers that always looke at bottom line and never the overall logic.

LOL, I recall management that sent me a lawyers letter asking where my last 2 pairs of snow tires were. ( I had resigned)
My reply was, go look in the scrap yard!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sure, if you had lots of money and lots of time to administer such preventative measure, fine. Most of us don't live that way though. My summer GMC Sierra Tires are just about bald (o8 OEM) and I'm wrestling with whether or not I should get another season out of them. I don't speed, don't tailgate and besides that stupid truck with the garbage ABS doesn't even try to stop anyway in slippery conditions, so what's the point?

I did have the serpentine belt replaced prematurely as my mechanic told me it's not something you want to attempt at the side of the road.

 

[4570Man]

I agree with replacing tires before they’re completely junk. Anything else not so much. A battery will usually give you a couple days notice. Most other parts are a crapshoot. I’m not spending money to replace something that’s not broke. You could spend a fortune replacing parts that might fail and still be stranded. Or worse yet cause other problems in the process. And I don’t know where you’re paying that much for a jump. If you’ve got your own cables it’s probably free or maybe a $10 tip.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yeah, I once changed my plugs prior to going down to MD. Halfway there car started to run rough, and all the way back. Bad Plug!

A weak battery can damage your starter.

I'm sure a lot of taxi drivers are eager to "help you friend" by charging you an arm and a leg for a boost. May it fry their computers!

 

[3930dave]

A couple days ago I bought this,

I put oil/fuel in it and it started right up. I let it run a while and then plugged the fans on my wood stove in and then my basement sump pump, there was no delay at all when they all started together, so it's now good to go and I'm very happy with it...

It's a pretty good power increase, over my Honda 2000 that I was using for short outages...

SR

Nice addition Rob - ups your capability, but still sips fuel :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

That should take care of any emergency batt. problems you many have with your generator...

SR

Won't start my big diesel, but that pack is rated for 3.0L diesels, or 6L gas motors. None of my gens are anywhere close to those sizes, yet at least .

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I know it sounds a bit unimportant, but I just saw various LED head mounted gear really cheap. I can't say how valuable that might be if you are alone working in the dark trying to get something going. I could never get myself to put a germ infested flashlight in my mouth!

Mag used to make a insulated end-fitting for their flashlights (probably still does). That was designed to solve the problem of contacting a live panel, with a metal flashlight in your mouth :shocked:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Christmas came early... you must have been very good.

I really like the small Honda offerings... still have my EX1000 from 1990 and keep it on the truck since new.

That 1000 of their's is a gem...... even today's out-of-shape-couch-potato-kids could carry one of those around !

Rgds, D.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Thanks guys,

I prefer a generator that will just nicely get the job done, as buying fuel to MAKE electricity is the REAL expense!

We just don't mind going without a few conveniences while waiting for the power to be restored, I think we have that covered now...

SR

 

[goeduck]

We are having 50 MPH wounds which is a decent wind for this area. With all of our trees, most of which are Doug fir (snappy branches), it takes the power out fairly quickly. I started up my 7K generator, transferred to it and shut the well and cistern pump circuit breakers off. Good to go and good to use up the older gas in it. Honda GX so it started right up. :thumbsup:

 

[3930dave]

We are having 50 MPH wounds which is a decent wind for this area. With all of our trees, most of which are Doug fir (snappy branches), it takes the power out fairly quickly. I started up my 7K generator, transferred to it and shut the well and cistern pump circuit breakers off. Good to go and good to use up the older gas in it. Honda GX so it started right up. :thumbsup:

Train in Peace... Left Coast, Big Trees, High Winds..... want that gen 100%+ ready !

:thumbsup::drink:

A friend in BC (Fraser Valley) has similar topography to deal with. He has trouble starting his gens (been sitting too long), but unfortunately he's too far away for me to "drop by" to help .

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

Good to go and good to use up the older gas in it. :thumbsup:
Honda GX's have always seemed fuel tolerant to me but yeah if any of that gas is a year old,
hopefully ethanol free, your octane is dropping and the dreaded gookies start to crawl towards
the fuel jets and float...

It really is satisfying when it starts right up...

 

[3930dave]

Various choices out there.....

Belatedly catching up on "Fall" maintenance today...... double dosed my street bike with 360 Protection today. (Not that far behind..... I run the regular dose in it all season......).

When they first released the product, they did a better (front-centre) job of communicating what it did above the fuel line.....

STA-BIL 36deg Protection - Fuel Treatment For Engines | Gold Eagle

Part way down the page......

HOW IS STA-BIL 360 Degree PROTECTION DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER STA-BIL BRANDED PRODUCTS?

STA-BIL 360 Degree PROTECTION accomplishes everything our current STA-BIL products offer, including keeping fuel fresh, removing water, cleaning the fuel system and more, but this revolutionary new product provides an exciting new level of protection for ultimate performance. For the first time, STA-BIL 360 Degree delivers corrosion protection above and below the fuel line by releasing an innovative vapor that coats all metal parts within the fuel system to prevent corrosion.

This ^ is what I use on small engines with metal tanks, for the claimed vapour deposition action......

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

This ^ is what I use on small engines with metal tanks, for the claimed vapour deposition action......

Rgds, D.[/QUOTE]

must have some pretty volatile ingredients to gas off vapors

Have you ever wondered if last year's bottle of left over Stabil is still any good? They aren't marked well for pull date, if at all.
I wouldn't use a bottle of Stabil any older than 2 years but not sure of chemistry.

I've always filled the gas tank right up to the top, now using 93 octane non ethanol gas.
Always wonder what is "hanging out" on the ceiling of the tank...

 

[3930dave]

Done right vapour deposition can work, so I thought I'd give 360 a try....

I haven't tried an inspection camera on mine, but I know a lot of old metal tanks rust at the top, and not always from the inside.

IIRC, Stabil lists some timing on their site (Use Up by ________ after opening)..... I wouldn't go past 2 years either. I usually go through a bottle within a year.

Rgds, D.

 

[goeduck]

I do not know why more small engines do not have fuel filters, shut offs and drains on them. To save a few bucks I guess. Easy to add on some engines.

 

[3930dave]

I do not know why more small engines do not have fuel filters, shut offs and drains on them. To save a few bucks I guess. Easy to add on some engines.

Agreed.

As I've stated before, likely more than once........ I'll argue the other direction too......

Why can I buy a $200 generator that has low-oil shutdown, but it's not present on a $80k pu truck ?

????

Rgds, D.