Your last generator Maintenance Run

[groundcover]

5030 do you leave the block heater on all the time ?
I looked at that same machine a few months ago. New owners wanted it gone, it was under their deck and was too loud and smelly so they put in a new LP further away. They wanted 4K for it but the moving turned out to be more than I wanted to get into at the time. Came with a full 275 gallon tank which was also a project.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

When I worked for the phone company, we ran it under load for 1/2 hour each month. Generally, you’d find problems before you actually needed it. The problem these days is finding anyone competent to service it correctly.

 

[5030]

5030 do you leave the block heater on all the time ?
I looked at that same machine a few months ago. New owners wanted it gone, it was under their deck and was too loud and smelly so they put in a new LP further away. They wanted 4K for it but the moving turned out to be more than I wanted to get into at the time. Came with a full 275 gallon tank which was also a project.

Block heater is thermostatically controlled. Below 40 I believe it's energized. Does have a full time batter maintainer on it however.

Mine is plumbed into the 500 gallon bulk tank and it's out next to the tractor shop. I would not want it next to the house, too loud.

Installed a group 31 starting battery last time I changed it which was (I think) 3 years ago. I change the oil and filter every spring.

 

[check]

When I worked for the phone company, we ran it under load for 1/2 hour each month. Generally, you’d find problems before you actually needed it. The problem these days is finding anyone competent to service it correctly.

Indeed! We used to have ours serviced by the owner of the company, but he sent someone else last time, who left the oil filler cap off and did not remove the mouse nest inside.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

Indeed! We used to have ours serviced by the owner of the company, but he sent someone else last time, who left the oil filler cap off and did not remove the mouse nest inside.

 

[Williy]

Yanmar YTG 5500 watt 9.9hp diesel engine
electric start. Going to get a tractor muffler
to put on it its not ultra loud but I like it quite

HAPPY HOLIDAY'S Y'ALL
remember to; eat your desert first you don't
have to make room for it or fight for it and it
will taste better

willy

 

[groundcover]

Block heater is thermostatically controlled. Below 40 I believe it's energized. Does have a full time batter maintainer on it however.

Mine is plumbed into the 500 gallon bulk tank and it's out next to the tractor shop. I would not want it next to the house, too loud.

Installed a group 31 starting battery last time I changed it which was (I think) 3 years ago. I change the oil and filter every spring.

My plan was to put it behind my garage on a slab with the 275 gallon tank and eventually build a shed around it. I would have added a 120v pump to the tank and cycled the fuel into my 100 gallon skid tank to keep it fresh. Turned into a project though to trench across the driveway to the house and get it wired in. The transfer switch exercise clock had failed too but that wasn't a deal breaker.

 

[3930dave]

Extending Good Wishes for 2022:

(and, the Holiday Season)

May your Gens always Start, and Run Smoothly

May you always have a good Fuel Reserve

Should you Need Parts, They are Available, and Arrive Quickly

Stuck Fixing Your or other people's gens... may you attain the Zen Master status of the dude on Vice Grip Garage.....

Rgds, D.

 

[5030]

This thread reminds me. I need to fire up and warm up my little Champion Inverter genny.

 

[3930dave]

This thread reminds me. I need to fire up and warm up my little Champion Inverter genny.

Between Time Flying, and my less-than-perfect memory, I started a thread as a Little Placeholder, Back When.... figured if somebody showed up once or twice a year, then it would pop up on my list as a reminder....

Turns out.... a few more people than that have similar issues

Rgds, D.

 

[Diggin It]

2-3' of heavy wet snow around an installed generator ... do most people think to shovel them clear in case they start?

 

[3930dave]

Wouldn't hurt to get the exercise (meaning you ).

Many whole-house enclosed systems should be designed to tolerate that situation to an extent, as many people treat that product as Buy and Forget - just ask grs....

Reasons I'd do it:

Air intake. I've seen skidoos overheat in deep snow.

General fast access. Check/add oil, boost or replace battery....

When the snow melts..... does water move sideways in ways it normally wouldn't....

Loose powder might be one thing, but if Murph throws an inch or so of freezing rain on top...... more gooder fun .

Rgds, D.

 

[Rustyiron]

Going into my 2nd winter with my set up that includes it's own building is working out perfectly.

I've finally landed on my "perfect" backup power solution after several prior projects that basically led me to this.
I occasionally have to shovel the entry door on the back, but long overhangs have done the trick. As you can see the big overhead door is directly on the driveway.

 

[grsthegreat]

Did you pipe your exhaust to the outside? Nice setup.

and yes, shovel the intake areas especially on generators, even the rear alternator intake, and keep the vent on propane regulator clear. I have had to replace engines on generators that run while covered in snow. The exhaust side tend to melt off.

 

[3930dave]

Going into my 2nd winter with my set up that includes it's own building is working out perfectly. View attachment 728087
I've finally landed on my "perfect" backup power solution after several prior projects that basically led me to this.
I occasionally have to shovel the entry door on the back, but long overhangs have done the trick. As you can see the big overhead door is directly on the driveway.

If we ever did a Generator wall-calendar, that pic would be a top contender for January

Unless one lives in AZ, deep overhangs are pretty useful, but sometimes not done $-wise..... even @ pre-Covid pricing....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I have had to replace engines on generators that run while covered in snow. The exhaust side tend to melt off.

If snow-country folk only ever read one thing on this thread.... that should be it.

Rgds, D.

 

[Rustyiron]

Did you pipe your exhaust to the outside? Nice setup.

Yes, it goes up to the gable end.

This last picture shows the insulated wall sleve.

 

[LittleBill21]

how many hours on it? exhaust looks a bit rough for how nice the machine itself is

 

[3930dave]

how many hours on it? exhaust looks a bit rough for how nice the machine itself is

How would you upgrade that exhaust ?

Rgds, D

 

[daugen]

it's a thing of beauty

probably already incorporated but I'd put a screen or baffle in that exhaust to keep critters from crawling in.
Mud wasps seem to love generators.

only three inches of snow here today, I'll go shake the cover and get it off before it melts and freezes