Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Copperhead]

Honda does make well engineered generators and one of the first to listen to the consumers that desire quiet operation in a small package...

I opted for the Yamaha EF2000is over the Honda EU2000. I have an actual fuel gauge, I have a dedicated fuel shutoff separate from the engine on/off switch. And while I don't necessarily think much of the EPA, the Yamaha has a 500 hr EPA rating over the 250 hr EPA rating of the Honda, which might mean it has a longer useful life in general. Jury is out on that one. Noise is comparable. Nice and quiet. Got mine in November and have about 130 hrs on it now.

 

[3930dave]

We may be up to III with the EPA for small gas gens.

For II certification, it looks like the manufacturer got to pick what lifespan they want to slot into. Test time is money, for that reason alone a manuf. may opt for a lower lifespan category.

EPA and CARB Emission Standards To Control Nonroad Exhaust Emissions of Fire Pumps and Chain Saws

So yes, it remains to be seen if these EPA Life categories have much/any correlation to real world use. I don't think many of us would shut off an emergency generator if it ends up being 50ppm over some emission level after several 100s of hours of use.

I'd expect good long term performance from a Yamaha gen. I know their engines better in other areas; their R1 engine has solid rep in street bikes and sleds.

Please let us know how you are doing after another few hundred hours are up Cooperhead.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Date: Feb 11/15

Generator: 2kw Briggs

Activity: Ran 500 watt light, charged 2 batteries. 70 minute run.

Final Fueling notes: filled w. NonE gas. Red Stabil and Seafoam added already in fuel can.

Maintenance notes (Done, or Required): - tank vent good, oil level good.

Sat too long since last run. No start with full choke, 8 pulls. Left sitting for 10 minutes. Started easy, second pull, full choke. Later re-start was immediate.

Temperature -2 deg C.

N.B. Replace spark plug, next run.

Rgds, D.

 

[nikdfish]

On generator now. Power out since 7pm last night (6am currently) due to heavy winds that preceeded the cold front. Lots of outages across the state & crews could not start to assess/repair til the winds died down.

With current power use, looks like a full tank is good for 10-12 hrs. Filled full at 11:30pm and at 1/2 full now. According to the on line outage map, they don't have an estimated repair time for us (or most of the other nearby outages) yet...

Nick

ETA: Update from Duke-Progress E. says service should be restored by 11:45 PM tonight. Crossing fingers.

 

[3930dave]

On generator now. Power out since 7pm last night (6am currently) due to heavy winds that preceeded the cold front. Lots of outages across the state & crews could not start to assess/repair til the winds died down.

With current power use, looks like a full tank is good for 10-12 hrs. Filled full at 11:30pm and at 1/2 full now. According to the on line outage map, they don't have an estimated repair time for us (or most of the other nearby outages) yet...

Nick

Perfect timing on your last oil change/maintenance check Nick ! Your over-stock of fuel is looking pretty good about now.

Some wild weather lately..... it's a bit colder here right now, than it is in parts of our Far North. Big wedge of cold air is pushing down from Hudson's Bay area - you're probably even feeling the effect in NC.

Good luck down your way, it sounds like lots of folks will be w/o power for a while.

Rgds, D.

 

[90cummins]

Below zero here on Florida Ma. and starting to get windy.
I brought my Honda EU2000i in the house just in case so it will be warm for a fast easy start-up.
A full tank and 5 gallons in the garage should be good for 40 to 50 hours if needed.
90cummins

 

[3930dave]

Below zero here on Florida Ma. and starting to get windy.
I brought my Honda EU2000i in the house just in case so it will be warm for a fast easy start-up.
A full tank and 5 gallons in the garage should be good for 40 to 50 hours if needed.
90cummins

That's the nice thing with those suitcase generators - easy to move !

Rgds, D.

 

[newbury]

2/15/15
Power went out at 11:30.
At 14:30 decided to do a "Maintenance Run".
Temps in the teens, windspeed up to mid 30's. We've gas heat but need the house power to run the fan.
Generator from about 2003, used it once.
Hadn't run since a start up in summer.
A few squirts of ether, a half dozen pulls, it's ALIVE.!!
To ensure I did not actually HAVE to use it I pulled the 10 gauge extension cord inside at 16:30, the poer came on about 2 minutes later.
Should have brought the cord in sooner.

 

[3930dave]

2/15/15
Power went out at 11:30.
At 14:30 decided to do a "Maintenance Run".
Temps in the teens, windspeed up to mid 30's. We've gas heat but need the house power to run the fan.
Generator from about 1997?
Hadn't run since a start up in summer.
A few squirts of ether, a half dozen pulls, it's ALIVE.!!
To ensure I did not actually HAVE to use it I pulled the 10 gauge extension cord inside at 16:30, the poer came on about 2 minutes later.
Should have brought the cord in sooner.

LOL !

If the generator runs, cables are in place, and you have lots of fuel...... It'll probably be a brief outage !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Nick

ETA: Update from Duke-Progress E. says service should be restored by 11:45 PM tonight. Crossing fingers.

Best Wishes on that timing, with a bit of luck they may energize early.

Rgds, D.