Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Fi-Q]

Nice to have 240 on a gen, and having 2 is great for a long power outage, or general flexibility (helping a neighbour, giving tribute to Murphy , etc....). It's a bonus getting a Yamaha engine in a generic, as their own branded ones are $$$$. Haven't set up my interlock yet for my larger gen.... what I have learned so far is that most of the interlock switching that is code legal in the USA is not code acceptable in Ontario, as we need to switch the Neutral as well. Rgds, D.

Homnestly, I haven't ask if the interlock kit is code legit or not.... My electrician rold em it should not be a problem and he would install it when I'll get it..... Haven't bought it yet, it is on my " to buy" list....... At least I have the generator and can run extension cord through the house if need be. I originally had 1 gen for the RV ( te champion) but got a heck of a deal on the EnerG, used, so I bought it for the house. And I realize that tere is oftentl one gen that is out aomewhere cause someone near by needed one.... But it is ok with me.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Are you saying that because you have 3ph you seldom lose power on all 3 legs?
My garage has 3ph also and most of the local outages which include my house does not effect the flood lights I have on the garage.
90cummins

We have 3 phase grid but only single phase service to the house. In a power failure three phase grids get the first attention because they feed the single phase part of the grid. The lines may be higher above the ground??? but in our area the trees near them are clear cut from time to time which reduces outage risks.

On the old 12v DC-27 that is 12 years old and refuses to die I wonder if it was not from a test batch or something. When we bought the MH in 2007 the battery looked like crude on the inside and still does (gray soupy like) so I figured it was shot but now 7 years later it can set forever and keep a charge. While it is just a FLA it does act more like an AGM. It has to have some unique alloy metal.

 

[3930dave]

It is a Dayton 7.5 kw.

I take the total KW hours and divide that into the total $$ out of my pocket and that is the figure that I pay for hydro. I worked out the cost of running a diesel genny compared to the cost of grid hydro and I am still ahead by $25./day to be on the grid.

The same goes for home heating oil. Dealer says $1.239 + hose tax so that equates to $1.40/L.

Thanks for gen info, and sharing those $ calculations. Still cheaper, but man, that is getting close in terms of grid cost !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Homnestly, I haven't ask if the interlock kit is code legit or not.... My electrician rold em it should not be a problem and he would install it when I'll get it..... Haven't bought it yet, it is on my " to buy" list....... At least I have the generator and can run extension cord through the house if need be. I originally had 1 gen for the RV ( te champion) but got a heck of a deal on the EnerG, used, so I bought it for the house. And I realize that tere is oftentl one gen that is out aomewhere cause someone near by needed one.... But it is ok with me.

A licensed electrician will know what your code is, and you may be different than Ontario (?). With the bad long outages this year, a few people have been thinking online here about back-ups to the back-ups... so long as they are maintained, multiple generators are great to have !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

We have 3 phase grid but only single phase service to the house. In a power failure three phase grids get the first attention because they feed the single phase part of the grid. The lines may be higher above the ground??? but in our area the trees near them are clear cut from time to time which reduces outage risks.

On the old 12v DC-27 that is 12 years old and refuses to die I wonder if it was not from a test batch or something. When we bought the MH in 2007 the battery looked like crude on the inside and still does (gray soupy like) so I figured it was shot but now 7 years later it can set forever and keep a charge. While it is just a FLA it does act more like an AGM. It has to have some unique alloy metal.

Now that you've posted that online Gale, watch out for the Men In Black pulling up at your garage !

That battery probably doesn't officially exist, and there may be a bounty on it for Capture In The Wild !

Rgds, D.

 

[doxford jim]

I seem to remember some batteries ha oil put in them - no kidding, it is true. However. everybody's idea of oil differed vastly. Last time I looked inside one of those, it had thick grey sludge - didn't didn't even check the voltage or amps! LOL

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Now that you've posted that online Gale, watch out for the Men In Black pulling up at your garage !

That battery probably doesn't officially exist, and there may be a bounty on it for Capture In The Wild !

Rgds, D.

Just hope they do not sue when they trip over stuff getting back to it. I was so glad we did not have to clean it out for a long generator run time this winter.

 

[3930dave]

Just hope they do not sue when they trip over stuff getting back to it. I was so glad we did not have to clean it out for a long generator run time this winter.

I hear ya Gale ! I built my own garage, but now could use another 1,000 sq ft in it ! :laughing:

One of my RoundTuit projects is building a proper generator shed..... that thought reminded me of a vid I sent to a buddy of mine recently.....

Lister D Generator & Charging set - YouTube

Anybody that likes machinery or woodworking should like that video, and the Lister fans can appreciate the work that went into balancing (I'd say he went beyond blueprinting :thumbsup that one.....

Perhaps I'm just a hopeless gearhead, but I find something meditative about the sound of a well-muffled Lister....

Rgds, D.

 

[cqaigy2]

I hear ya Gale ! I built my own garage, but now could use another 1,000 sq ft in it ! :laughing:

One of my RoundTuit projects is building a proper generator shed..... that thought reminded me of a vid I sent to a buddy of mine recently.....

Lister D Generator & Charging set - YouTube

Anybody that likes machinery or woodworking should like that video, and the Lister fans can appreciate the work that went into balancing (I'd say he went beyond blueprinting :thumbsup that one.....

Perhaps I'm just a hopeless gearhead, but I find something meditative about the sound of a well-muffled Lister....

Rgds, D.

Man after my own heart. :thumbsup:

 

[bullbreaker]

Just got in from fireing up portable JD genny. Hadn't run it in 2/3 months. Subaru powered unit. Just opened up fuel petcock /choke hit E-starter fired rite up. Will completely drain fuel from it this weekend. When I wanted to shut it down just closed fuel petcock and let run and die on its own then turned key to off position again. Can't comment much on this unit just used a little running power tools but have read reports from Rigid powered Subaru 404 cc and most were good.
If I had to say something negative about the Subaru motors is this particular model uses no oil filter.

 

[3930dave]

Just got in from fireing up portable JD genny. Hadn't run it in 2/3 months. Subaru powered unit. Just opened up fuel petcock /choke hit E-starter fired rite up. Will completely drain fuel from it this weekend. When I wanted to shut it down just closed fuel petcock and let run and die on its own then turned key to off position again. Can't comment much on this unit just used a little running power tools but have read reports from Rigid powered Subaru 404 cc and most were good.
If I had to say something negative about the Subaru motors is this particular model uses no oil filter.

Saw some sun here today (finally), so got my small generator out for exercise today too.

Good looking generator bb ! I like the size of the muffler, and the built-in voltmeter !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Date: Mar 21/14 - First Day of Spring. 15cm of snow in forecast !

Generator: 2kw Briggs

Activity: Vacuumed Civic with shop vac.

Final Fueling notes: filled w. NonE gas. Red Stabil and Seafoam added already in fuel can.

Maintenance notes (Done, or Required):

Started 3'rd pull, later re-starts today were instant. Need to Restart at least every 12 weeks.

Oil level good. Temperature 1 deg C.

Rgds, D.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Just got in from fireing up portable JD genny. Hadn't run it in 2/3 months. Subaru powered unit. Just opened up fuel petcock /choke hit E-starter fired rite up. Will completely drain fuel from it this weekend. When I wanted to shut it down just closed fuel petcock and let run and die on its own then turned key to off position again. Can't comment much on this unit just used a little running power tools but have read reports from Rigid powered Subaru 404 cc and most were good.
If I had to say something negative about the Subaru motors is this particular model uses no oil filter.

Looks like it is a Multiguip.

Have a 6000 watt Multiquip with the earlier TeledyneRobin L head engine have had it for close to 20 years and ran it yesterday had to clean out a clogged screen on the fuel valve but 5 seconds of cranking after cleaning it starts up and runs good. This was one of the first engines I ever saw with low oil shutdown. the thing is heavy and takes 2 to move around.

David Kb7uns

 

[bullbreaker]

Looks like it is a Multiguip.

Have a 6000 watt Multiquip with the earlier TeledyneRobin L head engine have had it for close to 20 years and ran it yesterday had to clean out a clogged screen on the fuel valve but 5 seconds of cranking after cleaning it starts up and runs good. This was one of the first engines I ever saw with low oil shutdown. the thing is heavy and takes 2 to move around.
David Kb7uns

Thanks for info. I felt like I got a deal on it new they go for $2300-$2500 and I bought off guy that had it for a couple months w/1 hr run time for $1200. This is also the E start/recoil back up model. Your rite it is heavy I have transported it in back of my truck and to get it up on atv type ramps or down it takes two people that ate a chunk of bear meat for breakfast that day if you know what I mean.

 

[doxford jim]

Well, I had to run my emergency genr a couple of weeks ago due to a power outage at 0530. I got the generator started and on line with no problems (through a proper disconnect switch). Had it running for about three and half hours. I was getting a power dump when the load was around 6000w (have meter set up to read house load) and then the generator picked up again no problems. Thought it was the primary fuel filter (at fuel tank outlet) so I changed it. Restarted and the generator sounded much better - I am certain the fuel filter was getting plugged up and with the load above, couldn't supply enough fuel to maintain it. The generator ran better for the new fuel filter (10 micron) so I know the generator mounted fuel filter is still good.
The fuel tank for this generator is an oil furnace tank holding 250 Imperial gallons. The fuel filter is on the tank outlet and is a spin on canister.

 

[Chilly807]

Ran ours for a few minutes last night before the storm started, snow is getting OLD here.. 5000 watt Honda. First pull, as usual. I try to run it once every 6 months or so just to keep the fields excited. Gas doesn't seem to be a problem with stabilizer added.

Sean

 

[bullbreaker]

This just came up on local CL never seen one,don't need one but thought maybe someone would like to see it.


Yanmar Diesel Generator electric start like New!

 

[3930dave]

Well, I had to run my emergency genr a couple of weeks ago due to a power outage at 0530. I got the generator started and on line with no problems (through a proper disconnect switch). Had it running for about three and half hours. I was getting a power dump when the load was around 6000w (have meter set up to read house load) and then the generator picked up again no problems. Thought it was the primary fuel filter (at fuel tank outlet) so I changed it. Restarted and the generator sounded much better - I am certain the fuel filter was getting plugged up and with the load above, couldn't supply enough fuel to maintain it. The generator ran better for the new fuel filter (10 micron) so I know the generator mounted fuel filter is still good.
The fuel tank for this generator is an oil furnace tank holding 250 Imperial gallons. The fuel filter is on the tank outlet and is a spin on canister.

I think (?) your's is a diesel Jim. Was that main filter plugged just due to age/hours, or is there any chance of bacterial growth in the fuel ?

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Ran ours for a few minutes last night before the storm started, snow is getting OLD here.. 5000 watt Honda. First pull, as usual. I try to run it once every 6 months or so just to keep the fields excited. Gas doesn't seem to be a problem with stabilizer added.

Sean

Haven't seen the latest news, but I know the wind forecast down your way was pretty crazy ! I hope everybody is making it through the storm OK :thumbsup:.

Nice gen.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

This just came up on local CL never seen one,don't need one but thought maybe someone would like to see it.


Yanmar Diesel Generator electric start like New!

Neat - I didn't know Yanmar made them that small either....

I've seen some impressively quiet large diesels gens - think movie set applications - but, those are major dollars. Would be interesting to hear that little one running.

Rgds, D.