Just bought a brand new 3500W Lifan Storm Series generator to have on hand for winter emergencies. Just need to cycle the furnace and the fridge a few times so nothing huge or overly fancy was needed. Good reviews, a good price, and a 3 year warranty sold me on it. It has a 6.5 HP OHV horizontal shaft engine that is a Honda style/clone engine as I understand from what I have read.
Anyway, it arrived today and as I was leafing through the manual I came across the oil section. I was stunned to see an extremely obsolete oil recommendation on a brand new item. The mfg says to use API SG 10W-30. HUH?
SG has been gone since the early 90's. What the heck am I supposed to run in it? Not like you can just go to the store and get SG oil anymore. I was thinking of a synthetic SJ or SL rated oil with the higher ZDDP levels. These small engines run hard and I want max protection. Royal Purple has an SJ rated straight 30 weight and they have SL rated 5W-30 and 10W-30. I imagine any of those would be ok but I am curious what some of you thought weight and rating wise.
Mainly( 95%+ )it will be used in winter. We seldom lose power for long so it is not a big deal in the warmer months but it is in the winter as I care for my 85 year old Dad. We lost power for 3 days 2 years ago and I can't have that happen again so I broke down and bought a generator finally.
I am wondering if the 5W or 10W 30 wouldn't be a better choice in cold temps than a straight 30? Also, do you agree that an SJ or SL oil is the ebst option based on the SG recommendation from the mfg?
Thanks.
Anyway, it arrived today and as I was leafing through the manual I came across the oil section. I was stunned to see an extremely obsolete oil recommendation on a brand new item. The mfg says to use API SG 10W-30. HUH?
SG has been gone since the early 90's. What the heck am I supposed to run in it? Not like you can just go to the store and get SG oil anymore. I was thinking of a synthetic SJ or SL rated oil with the higher ZDDP levels. These small engines run hard and I want max protection. Royal Purple has an SJ rated straight 30 weight and they have SL rated 5W-30 and 10W-30. I imagine any of those would be ok but I am curious what some of you thought weight and rating wise.
Mainly( 95%+ )it will be used in winter. We seldom lose power for long so it is not a big deal in the warmer months but it is in the winter as I care for my 85 year old Dad. We lost power for 3 days 2 years ago and I can't have that happen again so I broke down and bought a generator finally.
I am wondering if the 5W or 10W 30 wouldn't be a better choice in cold temps than a straight 30? Also, do you agree that an SJ or SL oil is the ebst option based on the SG recommendation from the mfg?
Thanks.