Gas Generator Tip

[MyJoBota]

We have a couple gas generators that are stored away 99% percent of the time. When we do use them we need them to work right now with out issues. One of the biggest problems with long term storage is fuel problems related to the ethanol. The best thing that we found to alleviate this issue is to not run fuel with ethanol. We run aviation fuel in our generators. Aviation fuel is ethanol free, and has a little higher octane rating than auto fuel and there for will store much longer than fuel with eethanol with. We started using aviation fuel several years ago and have great success. Our generators start and run great on this fuel even after being stored for 26 months with the av gas in them. Fuel costs are only slightly higher using av fuel considering the amount used to power a generator. We buy our fuel at the local airport and when we fuel dads plane we might take a 5 gallon fuel can to fill just for generators so their ready for the next time.

 

[JJZ 109]

I'm starting to see a few outlets in our area where non ethanol gas can be purchased. I wish there was one closer than 15 miles from home.

 

[Sassi]

I always look for gas stations that sale non ethanol gasoline.

 

[Sassi]

Where I live here in middle Georgia there are a couple of Pure stations that sale "non ethanol" gasoline. I always use this fuel in my generator.

 

[ray66v]

Auto gas $3.50/gal Aviation fuel $6.00/gal. That's significant.

I ran my generator on auto gas for 12 hours this week, it cost me $32.00. That was enough for me.

I keep fuel stabilizer in it. I always close the fuel valve and run it out of fuel, before putting it away. And I always make sure that I put fresh fuel in it, if I use it. That has worked for 12 years in my generator.

You should never let a generator sit for years without running it. Even if it starts, it may no longer produce power.

Most generators have magnets that can become demagnetized over time. This is why manufacturers recommend you run them for 30 minutes, at monthly intervals.

I always run mine at least every 6 months. So far, that has been often enough.

Avgas has a much longer shelf life, but it still isn't forever.

Be aware that both you and the airport are violating federal law, If you allow 100LL avgas to be used in anything other than an aircraft.

 

[DKCDKC]

There are several non-ethanol gas stations around here. Most of us use them for all our small engine equipment - lawn mowers, generators, weed wackers... And particularly chain saws. The difference is dramatic in many cases, and the equipment lasts much longer.

Ethanol is a foolish additive for many reasons - not the least the impact it's subsidized production has on our food prices. But it was a political decision all the way, without thought for ultimate impacts.

 

[gwdixon]

Try getting ethanol free gas in CA - not happening without a LONG drive.

Here is a search for non-ethanol gas stations.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

 

[stingray1]

No ethanol in any of my small engines but I do let some of them like my pump and generator sit way too long between start ups.

 

[JerryK]

It is advertized here in upper/lower Michigan as ' recreational ' fuel.... I fire mine up every year or so and bring it up to temperature, then drain tank and run it dry... That way I know the field it still working, and keeps me somewhat familiar in running it when I have to drag it out when I really need it.... Below is ONE of the links you will get if you search the net on reenergizing your field it you wait too long...

http://www.endtimesreport.com/dead_gen.html

 

[nybirdman]

If you have marinas close by they with have non-ethanol gas at a premium of course.

 

[3930dave]

I've gone with ethanol free gas for all my small engines, and my street motorcycle.

Costco here has their Premium at typically 8 cents/litre more than Regular - essentially a wash, price wise, once you consider the lower energy content of E10.

I always have used a fuel stabilizer for storage, and continue to do so even with pure gas. Currently using Startron.

After having good success winterizing and storing my motorcycle with a full fuel tank, I'm changing my approach to storing my generator and lawn mower. Partly this is because of having to change the float and seal (due to crud deposits, not debris/dirt from the tank) on my old Briggs generator this past Spring. That generator had always been run dry of gas.

So.... my approach now is to store seasonal or lightly used gas motors with treated fuel, and definitely with a full gas tank. Generators will get run at least every 3 months.

Unless you have small engines in commercial use, AND are using them nearly every day, you likely can't get away long term with storing untreated Ethanol contaminated gas in them. Just my :2cents:.

Rgds, D.

 

[edlegault]

Avgas is 100LL; the LL stands for low LEAD. Bad for your engine unless it is 50 years old. Even then, the lead will foul the plugs. Even E10/E15 ethanol blended gasoline will store fine with a stabilizer in it. All standby/emergency generators should be started every 4-6 weeks, let them warmup and then apply a moderate load and run for an hour (I like using an air compressor with the air lightly leaking out -- cycles on and off). Change the oil at manufacturer's intervals. Doing these things and having enough fuel (safely stored -- not in your garage, and rotate into your car/truck) will get you through those emergencies when they arrive. oh ya .... using avgas 100LL in a non-aircraft engine is probably a federal & state EPA violation (LOL).

 

[TimberXX]

If you have marinas close by they with have non-ethanol gas at a premium of course.

I filled up at the marina a month ago, and was shocked that Valvetech marine fuel is now E10, they held out for a long time, but they fell. You pay a premium for their fuel, now I don't see the difference between them and land stations with some additives.

 

[MFRED]

We use the VP 94 Octane SEF. Comes in 50:1 premixed and straight. Usually just run it the last tank full on stuff we use more like a generator. Trimmers, chainsaws and such don't get used enough to use regular fuel. It costs more for fuel but much less in no starts, and really, its worth more than the extra hundred bucks a year to me for less aggrevation. I usually don't get to pull things too many times with a no start and they go for a ride.

 

[MyJoBota]

Avgas is 100LL; the LL stands for low LEAD. Bad for your engine unless it is 50 years old. Even then, the lead will foul the plugs. Even E10/E15 ethanol blended gasoline will store fine with a stabilizer in it. All standby/emergency generators should be started every 4-6 weeks, let them warmup and then apply a moderate load and run for an hour (I like using an air compressor with the air lightly leaking out -- cycles on and off). Change the oil at manufacturer's intervals. Doing these things and having enough fuel (safely stored -- not in your garage, and rotate into your car/truck) will get you through those emergencies when they arrive. oh ya .... using avgas 100LL in a non-aircraft engine is probably a federal & state EPA violation (LOL).

The lead in av gas has more positive than negative affects on a simple gasoline engine. The lead in av gas and our enviroment is a whole seperate issue.

 

[3930dave]

Interesting about the VP, Red.

If anybody needed convincing (I don't) about the headaches created by ethanol, the fact that there is a boutique gas supplier in business (and, seemingly doing well by what I've just read on engine forums) should convince them !

Also seems that VP is not the only supplier in this specialty market either.

Thanks for mentioning it. Esp. for those folks in places like California, this might make a great Xmas present.

Rgds, D.

 

[Chilly807]

For those in Atlantic Canada, only premium fuel is guaranteed to not have ethanol, the regular and mid-grade might or might not.

Sean

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

I am right in the middle of lake cabin, lake resort country.
Virtually every station has E0 gas.
The closer to the lake the higher price......
Go figure............
I still use additave for long term storage.
And when it is time to replace gas, I recycle the old gas
in my old pickup at about 10 - 20 %

Enjoy

 

[sargex595]

I recently bought a generator and after running it, I shut the fuel off and run it until it starts to spit and sputter and then shut if off. I'm afraid that if I let it run until to finally dies, it might cause damage. I do use stabilizer but my main concern is if I'm leaving too much gas left in the carburetor. Is it safe to run it until it stops on it's own or should I continue doing it the way I have. I do let it spit and sputter for 20-30 seconds before I shut it off. By spit and sputter I mean when the motor starts to die but then picks back up. I'm not sure how long this would contiune.

Thanks,
Curt.

 

[3930dave]

Sarge - you will get many opinions on this, here's mine:

Assuming you are not trying to put your generator away for something like 3+ years, I'd leave the carb full of properly stabilized fuel. Without pulling the float bowl off the carb, you likely won't get all the gas out. For an extended layup, you are left with a small amount of fuel sitting in the float bowl and lots of air in the carb. You will end up with sludge deposited in the float bowl, at least that has been my experience. (See post #11).

Many generator Manuf suggest running their generators every month. I'm targeting running mine at least every 3 months. Run a hedge trimmer, shop vac a car, or warm up a block heater on a vehicle as an exercise is how I will use mine.

To answer your question - I've run Briggs engines completely dry many times, I did not hurt anything. Think of it this way, any responsible engine manufacturer should be safely designing their engines for totally running out of fuel. The problem I found was that some fuel remained in the carb, which created long term storage problems.

Rgds, D.