Did I buy the wrong generator?

[jinman]

I know there is a lot more to a generator than just the engine, but I'd think you could be sure to find parts and service in a lot more places for the B&S engine than the Subaru-Robin powerplant. It seems every small engine repair shop on the planet can work on B&S engines.

 

[yooper1]

Also...just hopefully a helpful note here...


Write down the engine numbers and keep in a safe place

On Briggs & Strattons (on that generator) you should find 3 numbers on the valve cover. (If not on the valve cover it will be on the (usually) silver / nickel plate on one side or the other of the engine.) The numbers can be hard to actually read as they are stamped into the metal but the stamper must have run outta ooomph on a lot of them because they ar lightly stamped.

It will have a model number, trim and code and look like

12A123
281011
1991 E1

The top number here is the model number or 12A123 (or just Model 12 for short)
the middle number is the date of mfg November 28, 2011
the bottom is actually the code that tells where it was made and the trim (options) it has.

As of this reply I am not 100% sure of the actual order on the valve cover, but the model number is always easy to spot with 2 digits then a letter then 3 or 4 digits after that


I also know that the numbers should be on the box / crate, but I never trust some factory employee getting the stickers right on the correct box for the correct machine. I always physically double check them

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Also...just hopefully a helpful note here...

Write down the engine numbers and keep in a safe place

I will do that later today when I put the wheels etc on it.

But what am I doing it for? Theft recovery?

Just curious...

But THANK YOU!!!

David

 

[yooper1]

Well that and just having a model number is handy if you need to change the spark plug or get an air filter etc.

Then there are people that would possibly do more mechanical type work if it should ever not work right and they may not want to bring it to a mechanic after the warranty expires.

And trust me, having the model number written down BEFORE you need it is a good thing.

No need to kneel down in snow or mud or be out in cold weather with your gloves off looking for the model number if and when the plug fouls. We all know it will never act up while it is in a dry heated garage

 

[TimberXX]

Are you in Ladysmith VA? Isn"t that a suburb of Richmond. I lived in both Charlottesville and Lorton.

Have you considered buying a generator online? Some offer free shipping, others have discounted shipping to a dock, or unload it yourself.

I don't know about running these generators for 23 hours per day for several months. Some of the lower end air cooled engines are toast in 800 hours, esspecially attached to a generator when they are running full RPM constantly.

 

[JD 4520]

I spent 6 years running a test site that tested both of those generators in severe winter weather scenarios.

- 24 hours a day from November to April....(well actually about 23 hours a day. We needed to shut hem off once to refuel the tanks and slave tanks for them to run all day)
- drawing a full load
- temps down to 30 below weather

lets just say this

the B&S one would be my choice

This is a strong endorsement that I would have bet against. TBN is a great source of info.
I have a Honda 6500 water cooled with more than 2500 trouble free hours and suspect many more to go. I change the oil every 50 hours as it only takes a quart and worth the small cost.

 

[TimberXX]

There is a big difference between a husky and a liquid cooled honda.

I have a briggs generator myself and love it. I must have 500 hours on it.

But the cheap or box store generators worry me. The quality is not there. A cheap genset head can damage your appliances.

 

[Pirate]

A cheap genset head can damage your appliances.

How does Winco stack up?

 

[TimberXX]

We use winco's at work commercially. I've seen ones with 2500 hours.

They also have a home line.

They are one of my favorite brands. Are you on electric generators direct?

 

[kenmac]

the B&S should serve you well. I have a 5500 watt with 10 hp B&S for several yrs now. No problems