New generator - need recommendation

[CadCaveman3]

Hope this is the right place. Just bought a new generator for emergency use. The engine is an air-cooled 13hp OHV. The genset itself is chinese mfg, with an alleged Honda knock-off engine.

Manual calls for 10W-30, no other spec mentioned. I talked to the customer service line and they said to use a straight 30W, because the mulits have "too many additives". I threw the BS flag on that statement.

So, what is the opinion of the group? Dino for the inital break-in and then M1? If so, would 5W-30 be okay, its what I use in the car.

This is a recoil start, so I don't want to get to heavy in the winter to prevent either me or the starter cord breaking if the power goes out.

Thanks,
CC3

 

[eljefino]

Sounds great! Some will say go 10w30 with M1 but at 13 horse on a rope start I say keep it thin.

 

[MolaKule]

I'm with eljifino. Recommend you run 5 hours on SuperTech 10W30, drain, and then install a premium synthetic in 0W30 for winter use.