just bought a power mate 3250 watt from HD, i have filled it with the oil it came with a little over half a quart. And about a gallon of gas I'm using it incase of a power outage how long should i run it for the first time and how long till i change original oil? thanks
new generator oil advice
- Thread starter Samf333
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I'd change the factory fill after about 5 hours.
Some people recommend running the unit for 20 minutes every week.
I'd recommend Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 if you don't have your mind made up yet.
What oil grade do they recommend from the factory?
Some people recommend running the unit for 20 minutes every week.
I'd recommend Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 if you don't have your mind made up yet.
What oil grade do they recommend from the factory?
The power mate generator manual I looked at called for 10W30, 10W40, or SAE40 above 95 degrees.
I will say that with the 2004 Hurricane season, Florida got hit with 4 hurricanes. We were without power for over a month, collectively. I know for certain that generators that were running Mobil 1 15W50 were still running and those that were running conventional 5W30/10W30 were not. Although that could probably be traced back to oil consumption and people not checking their oil.
For summer use, a thicker sythetic 10W40 would be ideal. For winter, a 10W30 synthetic would be my pick.
I will say that with the 2004 Hurricane season, Florida got hit with 4 hurricanes. We were without power for over a month, collectively. I know for certain that generators that were running Mobil 1 15W50 were still running and those that were running conventional 5W30/10W30 were not. Although that could probably be traced back to oil consumption and people not checking their oil.
For summer use, a thicker sythetic 10W40 would be ideal. For winter, a 10W30 synthetic would be my pick.
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HDEO's really shine in these applications and are available in every grade the OM will specify. Rotella, Delo, or Delvac should be available on the cheap at every Wal-Mart and parts store.
I heard enough stories coming out of Florida that I would go to a 40-grade if I was going to run a generator under similar conditions.
Edited to add that I think the new ESP oils will do well in OPE but not enough information yet and I don't see a whole lot of it around.
I heard enough stories coming out of Florida that I would go to a 40-grade if I was going to run a generator under similar conditions.
Edited to add that I think the new ESP oils will do well in OPE but not enough information yet and I don't see a whole lot of it around.
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I have been running the Amsoil 10w30 small engine oil in my 3500 watt Champion. I have also ran Rotella 5w40 in it with good results.
If you wanted to stick with a 10w30, I would run the Rotella T5, available at Walmart.
I really think you can't go wrong with the 5w40 synthetic, better hot and cold protection.
If you wanted to stick with a 10w30, I would run the Rotella T5, available at Walmart.
I really think you can't go wrong with the 5w40 synthetic, better hot and cold protection.
You may want to check out the new delo 5w30 full syn. Good year round viscosity. You could always put a 40 in there in a pinch if you got hit with a long lasting storm..like t6
The issue with air cooled generators is that they have no way to manage oil temps under extreme conditions. An example of which may be after a tropical storm power outage. When it's really hot, humid, and you place high demands on the generator (A/C units, water heater, well pump, etc)
What FL generator users discovered is that there was little air movement around the units, temps climbed until the conventional oils were unable to protect the connecting rod bearing and metal to metal contact resulted in a broken connecting rod, or wildly worn out rod. (remember, there is no bearing there, just an aluminum rod on the crankshaft)
I had 2 Honda water pump engines fail on 10w30 conventional Pennzoil. They simply overheated the oil, running 24/7, with oil changes every 2 days. Switched to 15W-50 Mobil 1 and problem solved.
Co-worker's generator failed by the very same method. 10w30 oil, hot conditions, running a 4500W water heater element so mama could have hot showers. He's an aircraft mechanic, and did not let the oil level run down.
My suggestion is this: Use a quality, heavy duty oil (I prefer synthetics for the excellent high temp stability) , with a viscosity appropriate for the temperature outside.
Good choices include Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck (a very robust oil and my all time favorite due to so many excellent UOA results and real world results)
Rotella T-6 5W-40, Mobil 1 15W-50 or the 10W-40, Mobil 1 Motorcycle 20w50 oils. Just about any Diesel engine oil, and of course, Amsoil's synthetic small engine oil.
What FL generator users discovered is that there was little air movement around the units, temps climbed until the conventional oils were unable to protect the connecting rod bearing and metal to metal contact resulted in a broken connecting rod, or wildly worn out rod. (remember, there is no bearing there, just an aluminum rod on the crankshaft)
I had 2 Honda water pump engines fail on 10w30 conventional Pennzoil. They simply overheated the oil, running 24/7, with oil changes every 2 days. Switched to 15W-50 Mobil 1 and problem solved.
Co-worker's generator failed by the very same method. 10w30 oil, hot conditions, running a 4500W water heater element so mama could have hot showers. He's an aircraft mechanic, and did not let the oil level run down.
My suggestion is this: Use a quality, heavy duty oil (I prefer synthetics for the excellent high temp stability) , with a viscosity appropriate for the temperature outside.
Good choices include Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck (a very robust oil and my all time favorite due to so many excellent UOA results and real world results)
Rotella T-6 5W-40, Mobil 1 15W-50 or the 10W-40, Mobil 1 Motorcycle 20w50 oils. Just about any Diesel engine oil, and of course, Amsoil's synthetic small engine oil.
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I also run mine every few weeks for at least 15-20 minutes and put some load on it. I also add Stabil to my gas.
I don't mean to hijack this Thread, but:
I have a Honda 5,000 watt Generator
Once a year I run my Generator and plug in a 60 watt light bulb.
Question: Would the generator get a better work-out if I plugged in a 1,000 watt oven ? ? ?
The reason I ask this is because the Generator consists of an Engine and Generator
Yes I try to take care of the engine, but could I be doing better for the Generator part ? ? ?
I don't mean to hijack this Thread, but:
I have a Honda 5,000 watt Generator
Once a year I run my Generator and plug in a 60 watt light bulb.
Question: Would the generator get a better work-out if I plugged in a 1,000 watt oven ? ? ?
The reason I ask this is because the Generator consists of an Engine and Generator
Yes I try to take care of the engine, but could I be doing better for the Generator part ? ? ?
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I had good luck using dino in a 10? hp Yahama/Rigid 6800Watt nominal genset for 35 hrs straight except for fuel fill ups.
I think however with a 3250 genset it depends fully on your load which is likely going to be a lot of capacity so I would recommend synthetic.
I would not recommend leaving any gas in it though because it seems to go stale after a year and causes running issues. I have had mine 3yrs used it once. I otherwise exercise it in winter and summer with a 1500 watt hot plate to ensure it actually works.
I think however with a 3250 genset it depends fully on your load which is likely going to be a lot of capacity so I would recommend synthetic.
I would not recommend leaving any gas in it though because it seems to go stale after a year and causes running issues. I have had mine 3yrs used it once. I otherwise exercise it in winter and summer with a 1500 watt hot plate to ensure it actually works.
For this type of duty, something like Mobil 1 15W-50 would be a good choice and is what I'd use.
I wonder if using a small fan to blow air over the unit would be of any help?
It would add marginally to the set's load, but it would also provide some cooling.
I wonder if using a small fan to blow air over the unit would be of any help?
It would add marginally to the set's load, but it would also provide some cooling.
Originally Posted By: larryinnewyork
I also run mine every few weeks for at least 15-20 minutes and put some load on it. I also add Stabil to my gas.
I don't mean to hijack this Thread, but:
I have a Honda 5,000 watt Generator
Once a year I run my Generator and plug in a 60 watt light bulb.
Question: Would the generator get a better work-out if I plugged in a 1,000 watt oven ? ? ?
The reason I ask this is because the Generator consists of an Engine and Generator
Yes I try to take care of the engine, but could I be doing better for the Generator part ? ? ?
Load to at least 50% of full time run rating to get it the best work out from time to time. Generator heads can set without use for years without damage in my experience. It is gas and the carbs that is a concern in my experience and I like Seafoam to prevent that source of bad news on a cold night but there are other options like Archoil 6200.
Restore quality of old gas and more.
I also run mine every few weeks for at least 15-20 minutes and put some load on it. I also add Stabil to my gas.
I don't mean to hijack this Thread, but:
I have a Honda 5,000 watt Generator
Once a year I run my Generator and plug in a 60 watt light bulb.
Question: Would the generator get a better work-out if I plugged in a 1,000 watt oven ? ? ?
The reason I ask this is because the Generator consists of an Engine and Generator
Yes I try to take care of the engine, but could I be doing better for the Generator part ? ? ?
Load to at least 50% of full time run rating to get it the best work out from time to time. Generator heads can set without use for years without damage in my experience. It is gas and the carbs that is a concern in my experience and I like Seafoam to prevent that source of bad news on a cold night but there are other options like Archoil 6200.
Restore quality of old gas and more.
Conventional oils are fine as long as they are not multigrade as the VII break down fast. For Summer use single grade oils work very well in OPE
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Originally Posted By: Samf333
when should i drain factory oil?
5 hours
when should i drain factory oil?
5 hours
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I love the irony! Plug in a fan to cool the generator during a power outage. Just sayin'...
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I wonder if using a small fan to blow air over the unit would be of any help?
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I wonder if using a small fan to blow air over the unit would be of any help?
OP
Unlike many here I make my living with Honda powered air compressors and cheap generators from princess auto which is comparable to harbour freight.
In the summer I use supertech 15w40,changed every 100 hours,and supertech 5w30 in the winter,and 1/4 can mos2 every second oil change.
At last count I have 16 compressors and 8 generators,all run the same interval.
Common summer temps are 30c,winter can hit -40c,so we get extreme temps.
I don't agree with using a synthetic in a generator,not for me anyway.
Only once did I ever have a generator die,and that's because the oil alert plug came off and the men ran is without oil.
I still use that generator daily. I broke it loose with a pipe wrench. It was seized solid. Doesn't even smoke.
Unlike many here I make my living with Honda powered air compressors and cheap generators from princess auto which is comparable to harbour freight.
In the summer I use supertech 15w40,changed every 100 hours,and supertech 5w30 in the winter,and 1/4 can mos2 every second oil change.
At last count I have 16 compressors and 8 generators,all run the same interval.
Common summer temps are 30c,winter can hit -40c,so we get extreme temps.
I don't agree with using a synthetic in a generator,not for me anyway.
Only once did I ever have a generator die,and that's because the oil alert plug came off and the men ran is without oil.
I still use that generator daily. I broke it loose with a pipe wrench. It was seized solid. Doesn't even smoke.
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