Generac Break-in Oil & First Oil Change

[UNC049]

I have a new whole house NG Generac 22kW generator. Although I can change it, the installer left the weekly exercise set to the default 5 minutes. The manual states to leave the mineral break-in oil for 25 hours before switching to full synthetic 5W-20. It's actually unlikely I'll ever need the generator; it's just insurance. 5 minutes seems insufficient to get fully warmed, especially in freezing winter temperatures. I can set the exercise time anywhere between 5 & 20 minutes weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

If I only ever use it for 5 minutes per week, it will take 5.8 years to hit 25 hours. Obviously, that's not a good idea. The Generac at my previous house had a 10 minute weekly default. Even that would put me at 2.9 years. 15 minute runs times would take 1.9 years. Generac recommends 2-year oil change intervals, but I'll probably go with one-year intervals.

Seems I should switch to 15 minutes weekly, at least until the first oil change, then go with 10 minutes weekly from there. Any recommendations out there? Thanks.

 

[Mainia]

Yes. 100%. I would follow your exact plan with the exception. I would run the unit with your complete house on it with a good load for 6 hours if it was me. I guess I would do the full break-in of 25 hours, with an oil change in the middle of that.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

I would have to use it when it was still under warranty, and the power was on, just to see what it can really do. This would possibly find any problems, complete the break-in, get the maintenance figured out, and just be ready to use it before you really need it. I would have a hard time running 5W-20, but that's just me. (EDIT) Mainia beat me too it

 

[fantastic]

I have a new whole house NG Generac 22kW generator. Although I can change it, the installer left the weekly exercise set to the default 5 minutes. The manual states to leave the mineral break-in oil for 25 hours before switching to full synthetic 5W-20. It's actually unlikely I'll ever need the generator; it's just insurance. 5 minutes seems insufficient to get fully warmed, especially in freezing winter temperatures. I can set the exercise time anywhere between 5 & 20 minutes weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.

If I only ever use it for 5 minutes per week, it will take 5.8 years to hit 25 hours. Obviously, that's not a good idea. The Generac at my previous house had a 10 minute weekly default. Even that would put me at 2.9 years. 15 minute runs times would take 1.9 years. Generac recommends 2-year oil change intervals, but I'll probably go with one-year intervals.

Seems I should switch to 15 minutes weekly, at least until the first oil change, then go with 10 minutes weekly from there. Any recommendations out there? Thanks.

25 hours is close to my Harbor Freight generator's 30 hour break in time I noticed. Started sounding different and fuel consumption went down. That's probably why they want it in for 25 to get you broke-in before switching to synthetic. I'd not put a full load on it during break-in as others suggested. Wait until after then you could full load it.

 

[fantastic]

Ideally generators need to run for longer times to heat up etc. like you mentioned. 5 minutes isn't going to cut it. 15 minutes a week seems ideal or 30 minutes every 2 weeks at least.