Just picked up a Powerhouse 2100PRi inverter generator. Seems comparable to Kipor and Honda generators, although it's nice having electric start and remote control. I thought it was a little odd that it called for 15W-40 when other brands called for 10w-30. Says to use 0w-40 below freezing. Anyway, Pennzoil 10w-40 was readily available at Autozone. Sounds OK?
New inverter generator
- Thread starter Dave Sherman
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It doesn't sound that strange.
I read a lot about people using Rotella 15w-40 in all of their small engines with great success.
I think you will be fine with 10W40 in there.
Just make sure it doesn't say anything about only using non-detergent oils.
I read a lot about people using Rotella 15w-40 in all of their small engines with great success.
I think you will be fine with 10W40 in there.
Just make sure it doesn't say anything about only using non-detergent oils.
An actual HDEO 15w-40 diesel oil like rotella will give you excellent protection, many use it in mowers and other hot running OPE with great results. Then if you use it in the winter, there is syn rotella t 5w-40 that would work well. There aren't too many 0w-40s available, or easy to find at auto zone like these.
I had a chonda generator that gave conflicting oil advice between the "engine instructions" and the general instructions. What you're doing sounds great. IMO the 15w40 is a "global" recommendation in case it winds up in some third world country (a lot of them do, due to lousy power grids) and 15w40 being better there with its presumed diesel specs.
Funny you should mention conflicting specs, in the instructions it says oil meeting API SF/SG, but in the table of specifications it says "above CD grade". Isn't that a diesel spec? Guess I'll keep my eyes out for Rotella, does it come in quart sizes?
dave, yes rotella t 15w-40, delo 400 15w-40, ST 15w-40, and rotella syn at my local wal-mart in quarts.
i say run the 5w-40syn. i am sure a qt will do two oc's.
and that way one oil year around, since power dont care when it is when it leaves you.
kc.
i say run the 5w-40syn. i am sure a qt will do two oc's.
and that way one oil year around, since power dont care when it is when it leaves you.
kc.
My recent bought CPE Inverter Gen is using Rotella 15w-40 although the book calls for a 10-30. Works fine so far.
I've used the Rotella 15-40 in the mower a couple seasons, previous motorcycle the wife had, no problems with em.
Might go with synthetic later on, maybe.
I've used the Rotella 15-40 in the mower a couple seasons, previous motorcycle the wife had, no problems with em.
Might go with synthetic later on, maybe.
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what are the fuel burn rates? or dont you have enough hrs to really know yet? i have been looking into smaller suitcase generators?
kc
ps this is a toy i have had for awhile now. just getting around to getting it to operate like new again. 1964 honda E40II generator.
21.2cc AC output 100V+40VA (180hz).
kc
ps this is a toy i have had for awhile now. just getting around to getting it to operate like new again. 1964 honda E40II generator.
21.2cc AC output 100V+40VA (180hz).
Can't say for sure, although I've put 6 hours on it running loads between 500-1000 watts to break it in. I'd say it's burned about just over a gallon worth of fuel in that time. Owner's manual says full load is good for about 3 hours on a tank (1.3 gallons), or 7.5 hours at 500 watts. It says to change the oil at 6 hours, and boy, you could tell it had shed some particles in that time. It also says to try to stay under 50% capacity for the first 20 hours. I went ahead and got a quart of Rotella T6 5w-40 to refill it with.
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace. Going rate for a Honda was about $900-1000, about $650 for the Kipor, and I paid about $750 for this one. I like this one because although it's a bit heavier than the Honda, it has a steel timing chain and camshaft, and is rated for 2000 watts continuous instead of Honda's 1600 watts. The electric start with remote control is nice too. Run time is shorter than the Honda, but you have to remember that Honda's figures are based on a 1600 watt max load and a 1.1 gallon tank, not a 2000 watt max load with a 1.3 gallon tank. Another nice thing I found about the Powerhouse is you can download the service manual for free of their website, and it's got lots of detailed information in it.
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace. Going rate for a Honda was about $900-1000, about $650 for the Kipor, and I paid about $750 for this one. I like this one because although it's a bit heavier than the Honda, it has a steel timing chain and camshaft, and is rated for 2000 watts continuous instead of Honda's 1600 watts. The electric start with remote control is nice too. Run time is shorter than the Honda, but you have to remember that Honda's figures are based on a 1600 watt max load and a 1.1 gallon tank, not a 2000 watt max load with a 1.3 gallon tank. Another nice thing I found about the Powerhouse is you can download the service manual for free of their website, and it's got lots of detailed information in it.
My generator specifies a range of oils depending on ambient temp in which it operates. I use 20w50 in it because it's primarily used to run the A/C in the RV and of course, that is needed when it's hot outside.
I'm still running Rotella 15-40 although the book calls for 10-30.
And I am running it right now at this moment since we lost power almost 2 hours ago. No problems so far.
Sure is nice to have a genset at home. Have plenty of gas with the marine Stabil. One of the neighbor gals came over (no power).
Just nice.
And I am running it right now at this moment since we lost power almost 2 hours ago. No problems so far.
Sure is nice to have a genset at home. Have plenty of gas with the marine Stabil. One of the neighbor gals came over (no power).
Just nice.
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
it has a steel timing chain and camshaft
It's sad that chinese made products are actually made with more robust parts nowdays. That was the difference between the honda and my champion generator. No plastic inside the champion.
it has a steel timing chain and camshaft
It's sad that chinese made products are actually made with more robust parts nowdays. That was the difference between the honda and my champion generator. No plastic inside the champion.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace.
I dunno know about that. From what I've seen, Honda eu's use cam-in-block GX series engines.
In regards to plastic components and broken timing belts, I've never seen or heard of a Honda GC series engine doing that either.
I hear you though, for my usage, I couldn't justify the cost of a Honda portable generator.
Joel
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace.
I dunno know about that. From what I've seen, Honda eu's use cam-in-block GX series engines.
In regards to plastic components and broken timing belts, I've never seen or heard of a Honda GC series engine doing that either.
I hear you though, for my usage, I couldn't justify the cost of a Honda portable generator.
Joel
Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace.
I dunno know about that. From what I've seen, Honda eu's use cam-in-block GX series engines.
In regards to plastic components and broken timing belts, I've never seen or heard of a Honda GC series engine doing that either.
I hear you though, for my usage, I couldn't justify the cost of a Honda portable generator.
Joel
Here's a Youtube clip (part of a series) on how to do a valve adjustment on an eu2000i. You can see the timing belt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GKE_LZWCjA
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace.
I dunno know about that. From what I've seen, Honda eu's use cam-in-block GX series engines.
In regards to plastic components and broken timing belts, I've never seen or heard of a Honda GC series engine doing that either.
I hear you though, for my usage, I couldn't justify the cost of a Honda portable generator.
Joel
Here's a Youtube clip (part of a series) on how to do a valve adjustment on an eu2000i. You can see the timing belt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GKE_LZWCjA
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace.
I dunno know about that. From what I've seen, Honda eu's use cam-in-block GX series engines.
In regards to plastic components and broken timing belts, I've never seen or heard of a Honda GC series engine doing that either.
I hear you though, for my usage, I couldn't justify the cost of a Honda portable generator.
Joel
Here's a Youtube clip (part of a series) on how to do a valve adjustment on an eu2000i. You can see the timing belt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GKE_LZWCjA
This is right - EU2000 uses a timing belt. BTW, the EU1000 does not - gear driven. Odd they are not the same.
I just bought a new Champion 2000 inverter for $450 total cost. A wonderful item. It actually measures quieter (actual measurement at 7 meters on a SPL decibel meter) than my envious friends Honda 2000. Starts 1 pull every time. I did change the plug to a better NGK than the stock item. Eliminates a very slight and very occasional stumble at idle. Called Champion customer service for advice on this - excellent company to deal with.
Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
I had narrowed it down to either the Honda eu2000i or the Kipor IG2000p, but then saw this one. My beef with the Honda is it's pricy, has a timing belt inside the crankcase, and has a plastic camshaft. Apparently the belt has been known to break, and it doesn't look easy to replace.
I dunno know about that. From what I've seen, Honda eu's use cam-in-block GX series engines.
In regards to plastic components and broken timing belts, I've never seen or heard of a Honda GC series engine doing that either.
I hear you though, for my usage, I couldn't justify the cost of a Honda portable generator.
Joel
Here's a Youtube clip (part of a series) on how to do a valve adjustment on an eu2000i. You can see the timing belt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GKE_LZWCjA
This is right - EU2000 uses a timing belt. BTW, the EU1000 does not - gear driven. Odd they are not the same.
I just bought a new Champion 2000 inverter for $450 total cost. A wonderful item. It actually measures quieter (actual measurement at 7 meters on a SPL decibel meter) than my envious friends Honda 2000. Starts 1 pull every time. I did change the plug to a better NGK than the stock item. Eliminates a very slight and very occasional stumble at idle. Called Champion customer service for advice on this - excellent company to deal with.
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