Portable Generators

[DieselBound]

Have you ever heard of an "air cooled" Deutz engine?? How about an "air cooled" SLH engine??

They last as long or longer than any of the water cooled engines and have less things on them to go wrong, in the cooling system!

BTW, I run Mobil 1 10w-30 synthetic in my Honda generator.

SR

My point was that diesels' engines last longer by default (because they run on oil-based fuels). I tossed in "water-cooled" because there are a lot of cheap air-cooled gensets out there (and they're noted not to be very good- Chinesum I think).

But, for those interested in air-cooled diesels:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/158359-air-cooled-diesel-engine.html

As always, YMMV.

 

[buickanddeere]

Is this diesel that lasts longer of what vintage vs the gasser that doesn't last as long ? Gasser with 300,000+ don't even raise an eyebrow. Many diesels have been retired at half that distance because they needed injectors , glow plugs, turbo and assorted emissions parts.

 

[DieselBound]

Is this diesel that lasts longer of what vintage vs the gasser that doesn't last as long ? Gasser with 300,000+ don't even raise an eyebrow. Many diesels have been retired at half that distance because they needed injectors , glow plugs, turbo and assorted emissions parts.

300,000 what?

My DKD7.5 doesn't have any emissions stuff.

Folks no more retire diesels due to injectors than folks retire gassers because they need new spark plugs (and all the other related equipment).

It's a FACT, diesels last longer and that's because their fuel is less corrosive (less wear). Pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of heavy-duty work is done by diesels: trucking, shipping, rail, construction etc.. if gasoline engines had an advantage they'd be used here, they are not.

 

[4570Man]

The only advantage to gassers is the cheaper upfront cost.

 

[Pettrix]

What does the user manual say?

User manual is silent about synthetic oil

I already have the generator so I am not buying a diesel generator. Just want to know if it's OK to use synthetic in generator engines?

 

[DieselBound]

User manual is silent about synthetic oil

I already have the generator so I am not buying a diesel generator. Just want to know if it's OK to use synthetic in generator engines?

If it doesn't say then it ought not matter. Viscosity matters the most. We're talking a generator (small), not an Indy racer. But, I find it hard to believe that there's no specs on fluids. Nothing on the manufacturer's web site?

 

[DieselBound]

The only advantage to gassers is the cheaper upfront cost.

Some are likely quieter. And then there's the emissions side of the equation. Sigh.

I like longer-lasting and more robust stuff because I'm very busy and I really don't like buying anything without putting a bit of research into it. Rarely does stuff break when you have free time: "Here, hang on to this candle while I research a replacement!"

 

[Midniteoyl]

User manual is silent about synthetic oil

I already have the generator so I am not buying a diesel generator. Just want to know if it's OK to use synthetic in generator engines?

Yes.. the answer is always 'Yes'... Use of synthetics is actually better than dino, especially in air cooled engines.

 

[DieselBound]

Yes.. the answer is always 'Yes'... Use of synthetics is actually better than dino, especially in air cooled engines.

There's also a matter of economics to consider. In a cheap generator (not that we're necessarily talking about them here) it would likely be pouring money on the ground; depending, of course, on whether one has the appropriate viscosity for the dino.

If the manufacturer doesn't make the distinction then it's possible that they're more concerned about the frequency of oil changes. I'd hope that that info is given!

In this day and age I don't think that I've ever run across anyone not providing requirement specs for fluids.

 

[Garandman]

Is using conventional 5w-30 motor oil in a Honda generator OK?

After break-in, is using synthetic motor oil a better option to reduce engine wear?

http://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/pe/pdf/manuals/31Z07610.pdf

5W-30 is only recommended for cold temps: below freezing.

Engine oil change is after 20 hours, then every 100. Whether synthetic is better would be a hard call.

Spark plug also changes at 100, which reminds me to get spares. NGK CR5HSB.

 

[Midniteoyl]

There's also a matter of economics to consider. In a cheap generator (not that we're necessarily talking about them here) it would likely be pouring money on the ground; depending, of course, on whether one has the appropriate viscosity for the dino.

If the manufacturer doesn't make the distinction then it's possible that they're more concerned about the frequency of oil changes. I'd hope that that info is given!

In this day and age I don't think that I've ever run across anyone not providing requirement specs for fluids.

A lifetime of synthetic oil is still cheaper than a new engine..

 

[buickanddeere]

300,000 what?

My DKD7.5 doesn't have any emissions stuff.

Folks no more retire diesels due to injectors than folks retire gassers because they need new spark plugs (and all the other related equipment).

It's a FACT, diesels last longer and that's because their fuel is less corrosive (less wear). Pretty sure that the overwhelming majority of heavy-duty work is done by diesels: trucking, shipping, rail, construction etc.. if gasoline engines had an advantage they'd be used here, they are not.

I googled DKD7.5 but have no idea what it is. Assuming it's an old pre-emission mechanical pump diesel ? Nothing like that left anywhere salt is used on the roads.
How can you not know what a set of injectors for a 2001-2004 Duramax cost to replace ?
Is there a difference between light , medium and heavy duty service ?
Is there a difference between the spread on the price of diesel pre 2007 and post 2007 ?
Are the diesels sold the past 15 or so years equipped with a mechanical pump, no egr, no variable vane turbo, no uerea injection, no particulate filter?
Are the gassers sold today equipped with carburetors, exhaust cross over valves, automatic choke, point distributors and burn leaded gasoline?
What year is it?
What are all those boats, lawn equipment, ATV's, sleds, jet ski's, aircraft, bikes, portable generators, portable compressors, forklifts , manlifts doing with those spark ignition engines ? Shouldn't diesel be better?
300,000 miles

 

[buickanddeere]

If it doesn't say then it ought not matter. Viscosity matters the most. We're talking a generator (small), not an Indy racer. But, I find it hard to believe that there's no specs on fluids. Nothing on the manufacturer's web site?

The proper viscosity with the wrong additive package is still the wrong oil.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

User manual is silent about synthetic oil

I already have the generator so I am not buying a diesel generator. Just want to know if it's OK to use synthetic in generator engines?

Synthetic is preferred because it is more high temperature stable. Conventional oils turn black fast because they are breaking down. Synthetics don't.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

I wonder how many hours people think they will put on their genset? A low-RPM diesel is great if you are completely off grid and want to run the generator 12-24 hours a day. For standby power it is only practical if you run enough fuel through your tractor to keep it from sludging in the tank.

For standby power where the generator will sit a year or two between uses, propane (or natural gas if you have it) is by far the best fuel source. Mine says it will run 8 hours at 50% on a 20 lb. tank, so I bought a 100 lb. tank. It will be fine for the next 20 years, and will give me 40 hours of run time, more or less, before I have to start swapping little tanks.

Gasoline is the best for portable power in the field or to construction sites, because the equipment is light weight and and you can buy fuel anywhere. I saw a 5 hp Honda on an Emglo compressor run a large construction crew 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 years. We changed the oil once a month and the spark plug once a year. It was still running fine when I moved on. Contrary to popular opinion, Briggs and Stratton engines also have outstanding reliability. The only one I have ever had quit on me was 40 years old, and it only quit because carbon lodged in a valve. The Vanguard engines with full flow oil filters are outstanding power plants. If the engine is going to sit for years between uses, stay away from gasoline. The fuel is not stable and it will clog the carb.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I wonder how many hours people think they will put on their genset? A low-RPM diesel is great if you are completely off grid and want to run the generator 12-24 hours a day. For standby power it is only practical if you run enough fuel through your tractor to keep it from sludging in the tank.

"Sludging" in the tank?? What ever that is ?, it apparently hasn't ever happened to me, as I've left diesel and diesels for years at a time and started them right up, never having a fuel problem.

I'd say about 95% of what I read on line about diesel fuel is absolute BS.

BTW, I have had GAS problems from leaving it sit around though!

SR

 

[4570Man]

I have all kinds of problems with old gas. I've never had an issue with diesel. Much longer shelf life compared to gasoline even ethanol free gas. And a Diesel engine isn't nearly as likely to burst into flames.

 

[DieselBound]

A lifetime of synthetic oil is still cheaper than a new engine..

Again, read what I wrote: I said for a cheap engine it MAY not be worth it.

 

[DieselBound]

I wonder how many hours people think they will put on their genset? A low-RPM diesel is great if you are completely off grid and want to run the generator 12-24 hours a day. For standby power it is only practical if you run enough fuel through your tractor to keep it from sludging in the tank.

For standby power where the generator will sit a year or two between uses, propane (or natural gas if you have it) is by far the best fuel source. Mine says it will run 8 hours at 50% on a 20 lb. tank, so I bought a 100 lb. tank. It will be fine for the next 20 years, and will give me 40 hours of run time, more or less, before I have to start swapping little tanks.

Gasoline is the best for portable power in the field or to construction sites, because the equipment is light weight and and you can buy fuel anywhere. I saw a 5 hp Honda on an Emglo compressor run a large construction crew 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 5 years. We changed the oil once a month and the spark plug once a year. It was still running fine when I moved on. Contrary to popular opinion, Briggs and Stratton engines also have outstanding reliability. The only one I have ever had quit on me was 40 years old, and it only quit because carbon lodged in a valve. The Vanguard engines with full flow oil filters are outstanding power plants. If the engine is going to sit for years between uses, stay away from gasoline. The fuel is not stable and it will clog the carb.

Whether one "needs" the generator or not they HAVE to be run periodically to be exercised.

I agree, for small loads gasoline engines tend to have their niche. My riding mower has a Kawasaki. My log splitter has a Subaru. Both are great engines.

 

[DieselBound]

The proper viscosity with the wrong additive package is still the wrong oil.

For crying out loud, we're taking about a simple gasoline engine. We're talking about regular off-the-shelf motor oils. Can someone yank the wrong stuff off the shelf? Yeah. Such people ought to defer to someone else to oversee such actions: if they cannot select the right oil then I wonder whether I'd want them to be trying to manage electrical issues in the middle of some crisis!

BobIsTheOilGuy.com. Great site for understanding oils.