Don't forget to load test your generators

[shooter250]

I have a Honda EU2000i generator that gets used for power outages, camping, and occasionally construction. I change the oil every 50 hours or 3 months, which ever comes first. It may not need it, but I like to be prepared. I have used Pennzoil Ultra or Pennzoil Platinum 10w-30 since I bought then generator.

I try to exercise my generator once a week or every other week. This allows me to make sure everything is working when I need it and it helps cycle the gas through so it doesn't get stale. I also use Stabil in the gas.

I recently I decided to plug a heater into my generator and load test it. The generator was running fine on my weekly exercise runs, but it had no load on it. When I plugged the heater in the engine rpm's would surge and drop off back and forth. This caused huge fluctuations in the output voltage. I double checked to make sure the heater was not overloading my gen and it was fine.

It ended up being the carburetor was getting gummed up. It was allowing enough fuel through for the weekly test, but when additional fuel was needed to carry the load problems occurred.

The practice of load testing generators is very common in critical power facilities such as hospitals and data centers, but unfortunately most individuals don't do this. I hope this gets every one prepared for hurricane season and approaching winter.

 

[JHZR2]

This is why I keep the fuel out of my generator (run dry) and then only add fuel when needed.

Id rather have maximum chance to turnover the fuel (running in cars, lawnmower, etc.) and not have any quantity sitting in sensitive spots in mechanical equipment.

Still is a great point.

 

[mrsilv04]

I only change the oil in mine once a year (Rotella 10w-30), and don't feel that it is being abused at all. But, whatever you're comfortable with...

I open up the drain, and then plug my air compressor into my generator.

Solves two problems at once.... The air compressor tank gets a regular draining, and the generator gets a good workout under load.

For a little extra load, I'll put the shop vac on it as well.

 

[Quest]

"execrising" it doesn't mean much unless (a) you load test your generator to ensure that it's running properly; and (b )add fuel stabiliser into your fuel before you top up your generator.

Missing either 1 of these 2 points will cost you during an outage.

**point 2 also applies to all small engines such as mowers, tillers, water pumps, etc.**

Q.

 

[Donald]

Test all your OPE before you need it. Like Sept would be a good time to test the snow blower. If in need of major work, the dealer would have the month of Oct.

I have problems with almost all my OPE.

Mice chewed all 3 fuel lines in my Sears weed whacker. I am told mice prefer E10 gas because of the ethanol??

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I am told mice prefer E10 gas because of the ethanol??


You're kidding, right?

 

[boraticus]

"I also use Stabil in the gas."

Yo Shooter250:

Re your above statement. Why bother?

If your carb is still gumming up, sounds to me like adding Stabil is a wasted effort.

I'm of the "drain the carb" philosophy. Turn the fuel off, run the machine until it stops, put it away. Simple, effective and no added expense.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: boraticus
"I also use Stabil in the gas."

Yo Shooter250:

Re your above statement. Why bother?

If your carb is still gumming up, sounds to me like adding Stabil is a wasted effort.

I'm of the "drain the carb" philosophy. Turn the fuel off, run the machine until it stops, put it away. Simple, effective and no added expense.


I believe there will be some fuel left in the fuel bowl when you do this. Some fuel bowls do have a drain so one does not need to remove the fuel bowl to empty it.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: Donald
I am told mice prefer E10 gas because of the ethanol??


You're kidding, right?


Maybe - you should see what they did to my chainsaw that I use E85 in!!

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: boraticus
"I also use Stabil in the gas."

Yo Shooter250:

Re your above statement. Why bother?

If your carb is still gumming up, sounds to me like adding Stabil is a wasted effort.

I'm of the "drain the carb" philosophy. Turn the fuel off, run the machine until it stops, put it away. Simple, effective and no added expense.


I believe there will be some fuel left in the fuel bowl when you do this. Some fuel bowls do have a drain so one does not need to remove the fuel bowl to empty it.


The amount of residual fuel left in the carb after running it dry is insignificant. Been doing this for decades with no problems. I'm certain that there many, many more people doing the same and getting good results as well.

The OP isn't the only person who's reported problems with carb/fuel systems despite using an additive.

 

[shooter250]

I use the Stabil so the fuel in the tank does not go bad.

My new procedure is to drain the carb after each run.

 

[Unearthed]

I gave up on Sta Bil...use Seafoam now. Run dry and no problems following season for 2 years now. Hopefully continues.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Unearthed
I gave up on Sta Bil...use Seafoam now. Run dry and no problems following season for 2 years now. Hopefully continues.


StaBil has a new forumla red StaBil. However there is blue StaBil that I feel is much better. Also excellent is Startron gas treatment.

 

[Unearthed]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: Unearthed
I gave up on Sta Bil...use Seafoam now. Run dry and no problems following season for 2 years now. Hopefully continues.


StaBil has a new forumla red StaBil. However there is blue StaBil that I feel is much better. Also excellent is Startron gas treatment.


Yeah the blue is marine formula, I think? Expensive.

 

[raffy]

I'll second running the tank dry, or siphoning it dry, and then draining the carb before storage. Your EU-2000i has a nice plastic tube running from the carb to the bottom of the generator to facilitate draining the fuel from the carb bowl. To me, a genny is too critical a piece of equipment to store fuel in it for a long time (unless you regularly use it once a week or so), particularly if it's E10 fuel. It is still a great idea to fill it every 6 months or year and run it with a load to make sure it's honest, though. I do this with my Honda generator during amateur radio Field Day (an annual event in late June in which ham radio operators across the US and Canada test their emergency operating skills on the air).

 

[CompGUY]

This is another advantage to propane it can set for years and it will not gum up the carb..

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Unearthed
Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: Unearthed
I gave up on Sta Bil...use Seafoam now. Run dry and no problems following season for 2 years now. Hopefully continues.


StaBil has a new forumla red StaBil. However there is blue StaBil that I feel is much better. Also excellent is Startron gas treatment.


Yeah the blue is marine formula, I think? Expensive.


If you value your time and sanity fooling with OPE when you want to be using OPE, then the extra cost of the blue is minimal. Walymart has it. They have Startron also, but in boating isle.