Because you asked:
- Honda's OCIs are predicated on "normal" oil considerations. Since you're running a syn, I would think you can go over 100 hour by a reasonable margin. I'd say, if running "non-stop", that once a week (168 hr) is no problem.
Although you didn't ask:
- I would also say that upon your OCI, you consider running a thinner lube. 10w-30 is a good compromise all around. The issue with a 50 grade in winter is that in an air-cooled unit like your genny, that oil likely never gets fully warmed to 200F or so (the desired temp). 10w-30 is a great "year around" vis; it's thin enough for winter and thick enough for summer. Stick with a syn in these applications; it will aid in the cold starts or summer heat. I mention all this because I once had to run my genny for 3.5 days, and upon restoration of power service I immediately did an OCI; I was surprised how cool the oil was to the touch. After running about 42 hours, the oil could be touched by bare hand when coming out of the crankcase. That means the oil wasn't warm enough. Because air-cooled engines have to shed enough heat in summer to not overheat, they tend to run too cool in winter. Using a thinner lube (less than a 50 grade) will probably aid in the splash lubrication these little units use.
Public Safety Notice:
- Also, I notice you have the pigtail of death there; a "suicide cord". Ya might consider re-doing that to a more safe condition; plenty of options out there on the 'net to get a proper generator cord hook-up. You don't want two live ends on a genny cord. I realize you probably know the dangers and know what you're doing, but it's too darn easy for someone else to get hurt who wouldn't recognize the danger.
