Your last generator Maintenance Run

[ultrarunner]

Starting fluid with lube makes for a quick diagnostic tool... if it pops or starts with with a whiff of started fluid I focus on fuel issues...

One of my old time mechanic friends would use propane as a diagnostic aid...

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Champion Power Equipment 14W Multipurpose Portable Generator at Tractor Supply Co.

I went to TSC to pick up some Ford touch up paints and came out with my first Champion ever instead since it was priced at $99 since it was a return. It was fueled and had oil in it. It started on the first pull in the store and made 120 volts.

It was still warm when I got home so I just drained out the dirty oil, not black by any means but more than few hours of run time I expect. I loaded it at 50% for 2 hours on the gas that was in it after I added some Sea Foam to it. I put 1 oz of Archoil AR9100 in the crank case. From reviews one person said their Kill-A-Watt meter showed voltage and Hz starts dropping off after 1100 watts of load. I know it struggled when I took the heater to 1500 watts for a few minutes but on low (wattage unknown) it sounded to be stress free.

I am happy that it ran fine for 2 hours and showed no fuel or oil leaks. There was some power outages about 6 weeks ago and it may have been returned after the storm because they did that some after the 2009 ice storm. It may have been used for a weekend of camping, etc. It looks new and was mostly full of gas and the oil was not low so I bite on the $99 price. I have a HF two stroke but over 600 watts it kicks the breaker.

So far I am impressed with the Champion brand.

I asked the guy what did the word FINAL mean on the market down tag and he actually called the manager to find out. Well she had to come out anyway because it would only ring up at $199. Champion manual said it covered for three years but not sure how that would work but I know TSC does not want to ever see it again.

Since tomorrow I turn 67 I am calling it my birthday gift to me.

 

[daugen]

Happy Birthday Gale, we are same age, now don't you think you should mosey on down to the tractor dealership
for your birthday too?

 

[3930dave]

Champion Power Equipment 14W Multipurpose Portable Generator at Tractor Supply Co.

I went to TSC to pick up some Ford touch up paints and came out with my first Champion ever instead since it was priced at $99 since it was a return. It was fueled and had oil in it. It started on the first pull in the store and made 120 volts.

It was still warm when I got home so I just drained out the dirty oil, not black by any means but more than few hours of run time I expect. I loaded it at 50% for 2 hours on the gas that was in it after I added some Sea Foam to it. I put 1 oz of Archoil AR9100 in the crank case. From reviews one person said their Kill-A-Watt meter showed voltage and Hz starts dropping off after 1100 watts of load. I know it struggled when I took the heater to 1500 watts for a few minutes but on low (wattage unknown) it sounded to be stress free.

I am happy that it ran fine for 2 hours and showed no fuel or oil leaks. There was some power outages about 6 weeks ago and it may have been returned after the storm because they did that some after the 2009 ice storm. It may have been used for a weekend of camping, etc. It looks new and was mostly full of gas and the oil was not low so I bite on the $99 price. I have a HF two stroke but over 600 watts it kicks the breaker.

So far I am impressed with the Champion brand.

I asked the guy what did the word FINAL mean on the market down tag and he actually called the manager to find out. Well she had to come out anyway because it would only ring up at $199. Champion manual said it covered for three years but not sure how that would work but I know TSC does not want to ever see it again.

Since tomorrow I turn 67 I am calling it my birthday gift to me.

Nice score Gale, and Happy Birthday ! :cool2:

We are kind of like kids with puppies following them home ..... @ $99, that one would have followed me home too . Lots of folks have had good service from Champion, and that one should be easy to move around.

FYI - I think Briggs sells their hour-meters separately (used to anyway)..... I believe they are clocked by the vibration of a 3600rpm gen, so AFAIK should work on most 3600rpm gens.....

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

I was given one when neighbors moved to a retirement home... it ran real sweet and was easy to start...

Left it sitting over summer and was not able to start it... have not had time to look into it but my money is on California Ethanol Blend... same with my Truck Mounted Honda ;-(

 

[3930dave]

I was given one when neighbors moved to a retirement home... it ran real sweet and was easy to start...

Left it sitting over summer and was not able to start it... have not had time to look into it but my money is on California Ethanol Blend... same with my Truck Mounted Honda ;-(

If you aren't going to escape from Cali soon, then propane conversion might be in order.... either that or run 50% of your "gas", and 50% Seafoam/Stabil/Startron ! :shocked:

Rgds, D.

(Edit - for casual readers - I'm mostly joking about routinely using that high a concentration of additives in Cali gasoline.)

 

[ultrarunner]

Brother scored a almost new Craftsman tractor at an estate sale... the receipt was for a $1000 about 4 years prior... dusty but like new... no one could get it to run... they wanted $450 for it.

My brother looked at it in passing... it was the end of the day... they said make an offer... brother said he didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings but it was pig in a poke... finally he said $300 if I like the way it runs or $75 as-is... he bought it for $75 and I got it running after cleaning out the carb... he went ahead and ordered a new one for $45 and it has been running sweet ever since... plus a battery.

Lots of deals out there simply due to Ethanol...

 

[3930dave]

Lots of deals out there simply due to Ethanol...

There may be better ways for gubmints to increase tax revenue, but I'm not going to speculate on them in public

Rgds, D.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Thanks guys. Getting older now is more fun because it is like another milestone.

Talked with a person that knew a bit about the generator. Seems there was a remodeling project that needed some power before the lights got turned on. Put another hour on it tonight and it started the first pull but it is like 50F degrees. Next time I will test out the electric pole saw on it.

 

[cqaigy2]

Starting fluid with lube makes for a quick diagnostic tool... if it pops or starts with with a whiff of started fluid I focus on fuel issues...

One of my old time mechanic friends would use propane as a diagnostic aid...

That's my read on how the engine behaves with starting fluid. It can be pretty dramatic when you use alot of starting fluid to get a worn out engine started.