Maintenance Time

[Deltona_Dave]

Here is my cheapo Troy-Bilt 5550 Watt Generator. I bought it in May 2004 (just before Florida had 4 hurricane hits in the summer.) Has about 350 hours on it. First hurricane, house had no power for 10 days. Changed the factory fill after 2 straight days (48 hours). Changed again after 3 days, then again after the mains were restored. Only saw B&S warranty certified HD30 conventional oil. A month later, power out for a week (7 days). Oil changed once during that spell. Again B&S oil. the next 2 'canes we had power out for about 8-10 hours. Need the genny as our septic system has an effluent pump. It ran a 28 cu ft refrigerator, microwave, little 6K BTU window A/C unit and other things during that time.

At least 2 times a month, I run it with about a 25 amp load. Starts on the second pull. First pull is a slow pull to get fuel to carb. Second is full on.

This is only a 10Hp OHV standard Briggs engine with splash/slinger lube.

It has only seen mineral based oil. Mostly B&S oil or Rotella. Current fill is Pennzoil HD 30 wt (I just dumped the rotella after 48 hours as My FIL used it on a camping trip a few weeks ago). Has never seen any oil treatment. I do run SeaFoam or Sta-bil in the gas, as it sits for long times. I have also dumped old 40:1 2-cycle oil mix in it's tank. Has never had any additives in the crankcase.

I took these pics yesterday, as I was getting her ready for Hurricane Season. Everything looks dry, as it was sitting for a week. I pulled the rocker cover off to check valve lash, which you have to do cold. Lash was still within spec.

Just pulled the cover.

Rockers.

Rocker cover.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Is the oil supposed to be changed that often on a generator? Looks brand new for all those hours.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

Manual states every 50 hours. I try to change it at around that time. No hour meter, so I use a the SWAG method.

Dave

 

[1999nick]

You really should get yourself an hour meter for it. They can be had for anywhere between $20 (for a basic meter) to $40 or $50 for a meter that doubles as a tachometer.

 

[Nick R]

Very nice and clean! I wish we had a generator, it would make winters easier what with the somewhat frequent power outages we get . I've been telling my parents we need one because if the time comes where we NEED one.... There won't be any left within 1000 miles.

Anyway, what kind of fuel economy do you get with that thing? gallons/hour or whatever. You could probably use GC/Delo/Rotella and run it for 100 hours or so.

 

[FL_Rob]

Rotella T6, PU,or Redline,paying for premium oil is a justified expence in this case(you got food in the fridge,which not many people do in these natural crises) in other words,don't skimp.Probably ok to change it every 100 hrs or so maybe even once a week,definitely add Stabil.

 

[Deltona_Dave]

I am going to order an HR meter for the genset and the mower. It was a real life-saver during the 4 'canes that hit us in 2004. People were scrambling to buy Generators. I will probably start using synthetic Platinum comes to mind, since I use it in the cars.

It has a 5 gallon fuel tank and will run about 10 hours on a 20 amp load. During the hurricanes, I had about 20 amp minimum load up to 40 when the fridge was going along with the fans and little AC. I was using about 1 gallon per hour then. It is a 5550 watt unit, so I think 45 amp is about the max run load with surge to 8500.

BTW, I found that the washing machine makes an excellent beer cooler

Dave

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Deltona_Dave
I am going to order an HR meter for the genset and the mower. It was a real life-saver during the 4 'canes that hit us in 2004. People were scrambling to buy Generators. I will probably start using synthetic Platinum comes to mind, since I use it in the cars.

It has a 5 gallon fuel tank and will run about 10 hours on a 20 amp load. During the hurricanes, I had about 20 amp minimum load up to 40 when the fridge was going along with the fans and little AC. I was using about 1 gallon per hour then. It is a 5550 watt unit, so I think 45 amp is about the max run load with surge to 8500.

BTW, I found that the washing machine makes an excellent beer cooler

Dave


I dunno if I'd use PP, it might be a little thin. Castrol Syntec 0w30 (GC) is extremeley popular in OPE, and has proven a solid and tough oil for them.

 

[Silber Igel]

I suggest and hour meter. Check Country Home Products. They have a very easy to install add on HM. Does Hours & RPM.

I'd not worry about changing your brand / weight of oil. What you are doing appears to be working very well.

The head is above the oil pan and one can expect hot oil to quickly run back to the pan. So expect to see a rather 'dry' cyl. head. It only needs to be 'wet' when its operating!!!

 

[RWEST]

Wow, the thing looks brand new. I'd keep using whatever you've been!!

Quote:
BTW, I found that the washing machine makes an excellent beer cooler Dave

Ah, American ingenuity!!