Oil change interval for heavy use Predator 5000 inverter generator

[Cmobile]

My son works out of his truck/cargo trailer. He works at a site for a few hours, then on to the next.

He powers is trailer AC, tools and lights with a Predator 5000 inverter generator (just upgraded from the 3500 after starter failed and pull start string broke, he went to HB and bought the 5000)
Generator runs, on average, 8 or so hours a day, M-F.
I think the manual has 1st oil change at 20 hours then every 100 thereafter. So oil changes every 2.5 weeks or so.

After break in, with 5w-30 (STP from HF) I wonder if we could safely extend oil change intervals by 60 hours if we went with an oil like Mobil 1 Extended Performance in a 10w-30, Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40, or Euro Spec 0w40 or 5w40.

 

[6.7 CTD]

What kind of ambient temps does this generator typically run in?

 

[ClutchDisc]

Sounds like a perfect candidate for Amsoil Small Engine oil - put it in and run it 200 hours per OCI. I use the 10W-30 in my generators.

 

[spasm3]

The Manual for the Predator 5000 does say every 100 hours.


My Predator 4375 says every 20hrs. I have High Performance Lubricants Premium Plus 0w40 in it. I'm going to go 50 hrs.

Ran it earlier this week, some car accident took down a pole and transformer. Ran it 8 hours.

 

[mrsilv04]

For longevity, I'd never go past a 100 hours interval on anything air cooled, regardless of the oil. That's just me.

 

[Chris142]

The taco girls at the corner near my house run theirs 8 hrs a day in 100+ heat. They change the oil every week.

 

[TnT_M]

I go 100hrs in my Wen inverter generator using HDEO 10w30 or 15w40. I would do the same with his. Buy some store brand HDEO and roll on. If you want to go longer I'd run a 5w40 HDEO.

 

[fantastic]

HDEO is what I mainly use if it has an electric starter (0w-xx for pull start if in a cold climate) & I'd say following the 100 hour manual would work well. The important thing is to keep it topped off of course.

 

[burbguy82]

I think this case, the generator is running frequently, not sitting a accumulating fuel or water in the oil. Ill bet you could do 1 month per change an not hurt anything.

I would use a motorcycle oil or small engine oil or a diesel oil as opposed to a PCMO, no matter the brand.

 

[billt460]

For longevity, I'd never go past a 100 hours interval on anything air cooled, regardless of the oil. That's just me.

This. ^^^^^^^^^

Small engines are very easy and fast to change oil on. And they seldom take more than a quart or so. And there is no filter to deal with on most of them. So there is no reason to go for extended OCI's with them. I wouldn't even go 100 hours for these reasons.

50 hours per OC, and never look back. A few minutes, and a couple of bucks and you're done.

 

[varmint]

In Arizona, I would run Mobil 15W50 and change every 2 weeks.

 

[Slick 55]

Delvac 10W-30 synthetic blend is $15/gallon. I would use that and change it every week.

 

[Cmobile]

Central TX, 100 degrees right now

 

[Cujet]

50 hours with any 5W oil. 100 hours with a higher viscosity, or more accurately an oil with an HTHS of 3.8 or above. The high temperature high shear of 3.8 has long been well known as the standard for air cooled engines, due to high temperatures.

 

[Ride_Red]

Put a Fumoto oil valve on it and make the oil changes super quick and easy.

I did this with my generator. I also put a rubber hose on the end and directed it out of the frame. Now, I just put a small pan under the generator and open the valve while it's still warm. Close the valve and fill it up with new oil. It takes less than 5 minutes to do an oil change.

My generator does not have an oil filter, so I added a magnetic oil dipstick. It catches some fine metal particles while running.

I'm running 5w40 in mine. Easy to start with the 5W and better protection with the 40.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Central TX, 100 degrees right now

I run 5w40 in mine. However, given your son's generator's use case and the ambient temperatures, I'd be inclined to use a full synthetic 15W-50 and change it at 125-hour intervals. I personally think that would be reasonable.

 

[nascarnation]

What oil temps does it run vs ambient? That's a big factor in oil life. The Briggs 25hp PXi on my ztr is running 175f oil temp in 90f ambient. That's a sweet spot for oil life as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Cmobile]

Thanks for input. I'll try to encourage him to change the oil closer to the schedule..

The 3500 only held 20 OZ. I assume the 5000 will hold similar amount.

The 3500 gen that came with the splice trailer he bought, previous owner said he changed the break in oil, and that's it. One oil change. Gen runs (or it will after I replace the pull cord and starter motor. I think the 3500 predator is 2 years old.


I"m not sure how to tell what the oil temp is on it, barring an IR gun on the crankcase.

 Thanks

 

[martinq]

If it doesn't have an oil filter I would look to add magnets to the drain plugs and clean them frequently. It might even be worth doing a set of oil analysis if this is going to be a long time situation.

A genset doing that much daily running should have pressure lubrication with an oil filter. I'd look for a larger filter to increase oil capacity or install a remote, large filter. It would be worth it (for me) to invest in a reliable & durable solution rather than deal with low-price box store products. Both systems work and sometimes it's "good enough" to buy cheap and replace frequently.

 

[UncleDave]

For longevity, I'd never go past a 100 hours interval on anything air cooled, regardless of the oil. That's just me.

How many hours would you guess is on this?