New generator question

[squirrel17]

I purchased a gasoline generator this summer for an eventual extended power outage, but thankfully we didn't need to use it. I did put the supplied oil in it, but have not started it.

My question, is it good to store as-is? never ran

Or should i treat this like anything else and put some oil in cylinder?


Thanks in advance

 

[Joe Reed]

I'd put some fuel with Stabil in it, start it up and let it run for a bit. At least then you can test it to be sure it works as it should. Mine gets used about once a year. I've never put any oil in the cylinder. If it hasn't been used in several months I just start it up and let it run for a while.

 

[Scotto]

Definitely try it out and put stabil in the gas that you put in it.
With manufacturing today, **** happens with stuff not assembled correctly, etc. I'd break it in for however many hours it instructs to make sure there's no issues. You don't want to have to in an emergency situation.

 

[sz0k30]

I use Sta-bil in my old cars when I put them away for the winter. Luckily, I very rarely have to use my generator, maybe once a year if that. So I just use "Rec" gas in it. Never had any issues with it. Never oiled the cylinders.

 

[ddurrett896]

Ethanol free gas only.

Run it for an hour and change the oil, cleans out all that metal from the manufacturing process. Keep a spare plug and oil on hand in the event you have to run it for days on end.

Add an hour meter.

https://www.amazon.com/Magicalmai-Inductive-Motorcycle-Snowmobile-Waterproof-Hour/dp/B07Y3ZYBLW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[squirrel17]

OK sounds like a plan, I'll run it to make sure it works and change out the oil and use stabil/rec fuel. No need for oil in cylinder . Thanks again.

 

[Rusty Wrench]

Good advice from ddurrett896.

Moisture condensation in fuel tanks is a cold weather problem. For the snowblower, I keep gas in the tank and add K100. Some winters it stays gassed but never gets used.
The generator may get used every 6 weeks or every 6 years. When the grid comes back on line I drain the tank and run it dry. As it starts to falter I spray engine fog stuff into the carb until smoky exhaust. If you're in a cold weather climate I would absolutely do this.

 

[PopcornSutton]

What ddurrett said is good stuff. I'll add, I try to run mine every month if I remember! I run mine out of gas each time, just close the tank valve and let it **** it all out and stall.

 

[Firstram]

Run it with a load to break it in and make sure it works properly. Change the oil and drain all of the gas out of the tank and carb! If you store it dry there’s nothing to varnish or cause any problems!

 

[jack stand]

OK sounds like a plan, I'll run it to make sure it works and change out the oil and use stabil/rec fuel. No need for oil in cylinder . Thanks again.

 N never E ever  W worked.
Sounds like you decided to run it
Changing the oil aftr a little run time (30 min or more) and "stable" treat the fuel as suggested above-perect.
Getting used to starting it and it's operation will be beneficial.

 

[mike93lx]

Definitely put a load on it. Generators need regularly that to keep things working properly

 

[firebirdparts]

I always run mine empty of gasoline and store it that way. I have never lubricated the cylinder or anything like that. FWIW. I think if it was mine I would be tempted to start it and see if it runs, but in my world I would be draining it after which would make me feel kinda dumb. No test runs ever after that for me, unless I didn't need it for 10 years or something and curiosity just got to me. My generator is about 26 years old.

 

[txvwnut]

I always run mine empty of gasoline and store it that way. I have never lubricated the cylinder or anything like that. FWIW. I think if it was mine I would be tempted to start it and see if it runs, but in my world I would be draining it after which would make me feel kinda dumb. No test runs ever after that for me, unless I didn't need it for 10 years or something and curiosity just got to me. My generator is about 26 years old.

Same here except my generator is around twenty years old. I do suggest a scheduled test run periodically as I had not used mine in several years and when needed it would not make power due to losing the inherent magnetism in the windings. I had to wait until power was restored to be able to "polarize" the windings.

 

[dcg9381]

My question, is it good to store as-is? never ran
Or should i treat this like anything else and put some oil in cylinder?

You need to run it for a couple of reasons:
1) The initial break-in is a thing. You'll need to change the oil after the first X hours and then that window gets a lot longer.
2) You need to be sure that it's going to do what you need it to do, especially if you're connecting it via a interlock. We get a lot of threads where generators don't go as expected. There are things that are "power sensitive" too that may not work on generators.

I was surprised to find that one of my Firman generators will not start on propane without a 12v battery source, despite having a pull-cord. Test your stuff!

I NEVER store small motors with fuel in them if I can help it. At a minimum, non-ethanol gas (and perhaps Stabil). Better to have that tank full rather than part-way full if you keep fuel in it. If I was going to store fuel, I'd use 100LL (airplane gas) - simple carb'd motors seem to do just fine on it.

Make sure you drain the carb.. This assumes the generator has a fuel cut off. Never leave fuel in the bowl.

 

[jack stand]

@squrril17
"Make sure you drain the carb.. This assumes the generator has a fuel cut off. Never leave fuel in the bowl."
Some folks have their car battery replaced and the oil checked by someone.....
You can put a cup or so of fuel into it and just let it run out of gas if draining the carb is a wonder to you. (if the good advise above is intimidating)

 

[The Cobbler]

2 stroke oil in the carb is good for long term storage. you will need to drain it before refuelling, and it will smoke a lot until it burns off.

 

[RPH]

Same here except my generator is around twenty years old. I do suggest a scheduled test run periodically as I had not used mine in several years and when needed it would not make power due to losing the inherent magnetism in the windings. I had to wait until power was restored to be able to "polarize" the windings.

You can re-magnetize most cheaper generators by using a corded drill. Plug drill in with generator running, quick twist of the chuck will send a burst of energy to excite the windings.

 

[no704]

On my rarely used gas motors I like to use TruFuel. It’s expensive but for something I’m only running not a gallon per year I think it’s worth it. If you end up using it longer just run pump gas. But fill and run on treated fuel before storing.

 

[908Jim]

OK sounds like a plan, I'll run it to make sure it works and change out the oil and use stabil/rec fuel. No need for oil in cylinder . Thanks again.

Don't stop here! You need to periodically start it, put a load on it, and put fresh gas in it. Growing up, I remember my dad pulling the generator out of the garage and plugging in a small space heater while he cut the lawn. The generator never failed to start when needed.

 

[steves_001]

Dang it! another thread that cost me money! Thanks for the link on the hour meters. Like the others said, run that genie a bit. I had neglected to do that last year and had to go thru the carb to clean it out this year (with stabil in the gas as well).

 

[Skyman]

I'll pile on with one more voice to say you should not store any small engine with ethanol-laced fuel in it for more than a couple of weeks. Definitely, run it until shuts down from fuel starvation. Do not count on Sta-bil to prevent problems.

 

[mike93lx]

I'll pile on with one more voice to say you should not store any small engine with ethanol-laced fuel in it for more than a couple of weeks. Definitely, run it until shuts down from fuel starvation. Do not count on Sta-bil to prevent problems.

I've stored multiple pieces I'd equipment for months with ethanol fuel and never had a problem. My snowblower and generator were always topped off, carb run dry and rolled into the shed. For many seasons

That said, ethanol free is better and now that I have access to it, I am using it for my generator

 

[txvwnut]

You can re-magnetize most cheaper generators by using a corded drill. Plug drill in with generator running, quick twist of the chuck will send a burst of energy to excite the windings.

Yeah I did all the tricks I normally do with our GSE stuff at the day job and this one wasn't having it. Finally got pissed off and used a quick zap of commercial power and it was back to normal.

 

[mike93lx]

Yeah I did all the tricks I normally do with our GSE stuff at the day job and this one wasn't having it. Finally got pissed off and used a quick zap of commercial power and it was back to normal.

What is commercial power?

 

[38Chevy454]

X2 thanks for the small engine hour meter tip. Ordered a couple to put on my generator and on my pressure washer.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I NEVER store small motors with fuel in them if I can help it. At a minimum, non-ethanol gas (and perhaps Stabil). Better to have that tank full rather than part-way full if you keep fuel in it. If I was going to store fuel, I'd use 100LL (airplane gas) - simple carb'd motors seem to do just fine on it.

BOOOOO! HISSSSS!

no need to cover yourself in TEL just to get fuel that stores well. and besides, lead doesn't help keep water out. unless you've got a metal jug and you're doing a lead wipe oakum seal between uses.

 

[dcg9381]

BOOOOO! HISSSSS!
no need to cover yourself in TEL just to get fuel that stores well.

I'm not a proponent of lead. The MSDS on 100LL states that the gas must be good for at least 2 years.
That estimate is probably conservative (like all things in aviation).

This was all I could "easily" get in my area without ethanol for a number of years.. that's changed of course.

Apparently you can get 94+ octane no-lead aviation fuel, but I've never seen it.

From this article:
"As a final thought about automotive fuel, we need to talk about its
relatively short shelf life. Unlike aviation fuel, auto fuel may have a shelf
life anywhere from 90 days to a year from the date of its blending. A
great deal of this variable is dependent upon how the fuel is stored."

lead doesn't help keep water out. unless you've got a metal jug and you're doing a lead wipe oakum seal between uses.

That's true. Which is why pilots carry these (below). Store fuel in a container that allows condensation and you're going to have water at the bottom. Proper storage is a thing... IF you're gonna store it with fuel, store it FULL of fuel.


In the mean time, I'll continue to use my 100LL / 50:1 2-stroke mix that I've had around for about 3 years. Saves time by replacing fewer fuel lines and primer bulbs too.

 

[58Yeoman]

I've been using ethanol free fuel in all my small engines and antique vehicles for at least five years, maybe more. I got tired of the small gas lines falling apart and the gummy stuff in the carbs. Local Phillips 66 station sells 91+ ethanol free gas, it's more expensive than the other stuff, but trouble free. I have four 5 gallon cans that I fill and rotate, filling smaller cans for smaller equipement. EVERYTHING starts right up. Corn **** gets used in the daily drivers only.

 

[Fireguy50]

Start it and test off the grid before you don't have any chance of warranty or customer service!

The Generac style generators do a weekly run test to ensure they have enough battery voltage to start, no errors, and can run the house circuits without problems; before shutting down until next week.

You don't want to wait until that 1/5 year disaster to try getting this running outside during inclement weather, fighting air, fuel, spark at the right timing.

I ran $2,000 additional cable to mount mine behind the garage next to the air compressor, no generator exhaust noise at night.