Your last generator Maintenance Run

[RalphVa]

I refilled the 60 gallon tank. Took 5 gallons this year for something like 21 hours. It's up to 36 hours now. The oil is still mostly clear in the Isuzu diesel.

Took only 2.5 gallons last year. Mostly just routine runs, 15 minutes every 2 weeks.

Ralph

 

[BuzzardA91]

Wow on the YouTube video build. Super nice generator enclosure, very impressive. Looks completely unnecessary but nice. If he was worried about noise he could have just bought the honda EU. Quieter, more reliable, way more fuel efficient, and has to be way cheaper for all he has in the enclosure.

 

[3930dave]

I look at custom enclosures in 3 respects - noise control/redirection, weather protection, and avoiding running a generator in a garage/near an entrance, etc.

If you had to pay somebody else to build that quality of enclosure, you might end up with similar costs to buying mid-range Honda Gen.... but you'd still have 2 of the above issues to deal with.

I personally am not fond of leaving even a cheap gen running outside in heavy rain or snow, and certainly not a big $ Honda, with all the electronics that are present on their EU's today..... so yeah, I have a Gen Shed on my ToDo list, after a few other RoundToIts are taken care of.

But yes, even if I wasn't planning on an enclosure build, I'd still find what that gent in PA built to be very cool :thumbsup:

(Edit - don't get me wrong.... I like Honda generators just fine !).

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I refilled the 60 gallon tank. Took 5 gallons this year for something like 21 hours. It's up to 36 hours now. The oil is still mostly clear in the Isuzu diesel.

Took only 2.5 gallons last year. Mostly just routine runs, 15 minutes every 2 weeks.

Ralph

I think this thread has proven the Anti-Murphy Law.... have a killer HDuty backup power system in place, and you'll likely never need to use it for real ! :laughing:

We've probably covered this a dozen or so pages back Ralph (there's that memory thing again ), but please remind me again what you use to treat or stabilize your diesel fuel.

Rgds, D.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Wow! What task do you use that generator for?

We do Special events, Rock Concerts, Carnivals, trade shows, lighting sound systems, and off site events that needs power. Also it's handy when the warehouse power goes down.

 

[3930dave]

Date: Oct 24/14

Generator: 2kw Briggs

Activity: Trimmed half of the big hedge.

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

Maintenance notes (Done, or Required): - check tank vent next run.

Started 2'nd pull w. partial choke.

Temperature 8 deg C.

Rgds, D.

 

[cowpie1]

Generator maintenance is a normal thing, but then, my Yamaha EF2000 rides in a custom box on my semi truck and gets an almost daily workout, especially in the winter. I can shut off the semi truck engine, with it's 1 gallon an hour fuel consumption at idle, and run a Webasto diesel fired bunk heater to keep cab and sleeper warm and have the Yamaha provide power to a Xantrex inverter charger that is a battery charger as well as a power inverter. The gen also powers a 500w oil pan heater to help get things moving on a cold morning. I can run the generator right in the frame rail mounted storage box (it has removable side vents) so it is safe and secure and out of the weather and it will power the inverter charger and the oil pan heater for almost 10 hrs on a gallon of gas. And do it very quietly, as it can run at the low speed and provide all the power needed.

At home. any power I need is off of a PTO generator on a 3 pt platform.

 

[TimberXX]

That's a real nice setup for the Yamaha. Is that a modified box or manufactured for the Yamaha?

 

[3930dave]

Generator maintenance is a normal thing, but then, my Yamaha EF2000 rides in a custom box on my semi truck and gets an almost daily workout, especially in the winter. I can shut off the semi truck engine, with it's 1 gallon an hour fuel consumption at idle, and run a Webasto diesel fired bunk heater to keep cab and sleeper warm and have the Yamaha provide power to a Xantrex inverter charger that is a battery charger as well as a power inverter. The gen also powers a 500w oil pan heater to help get things moving on a cold morning. I can run the generator right in the frame rail mounted storage box (it has removable side vents) so it is safe and secure and out of the weather and it will power the inverter charger and the oil pan heater for almost 10 hrs on a gallon of gas. And do it very quietly, as it can run at the low speed and provide all the power needed.

At home. any power I need is off of a PTO generator on a 3 pt platform.

View attachment 398801View attachment 398802View attachment 398803

Sweet setup. With those vent covers in place, not many people would even guess what's in there.

Do those Yamaha's come with hour meters, or do you run one externally ?

Rgds, D.

 

[daybreak1998]

Howdy,
OK, we had a cold snap for a little while, then we just passed a hot snap. The snow is expected, so it was time....
OK, drained out gasoline from all generators, filled the truck up. Went and got fresh 100% gasoline, added stabil, filled all generators. Ran each generator for approx. 30 minutes with load. (2 x 1500 oil filled heaters)

Generators all ran fine, fresh gasoline, oil was changed during spring with now being only about 2 hours usage.

PTO generator was checked, pto shaft was greased, ready to go.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

We need to fire up the generator over the long weekend. Tried to fire up the 1992 gen set in the old MH Saturday but fire coming from plug wires.

 

[cowpie1]

The box for my Yamaha was made to order. The outfit that made it custom makes boxes for just about any portable generator., most standard portable generator models they already have all the specs they need to make the box. Others, they have a custom spec page where you can lay out dimensions and such. I don't have an hour meter on my Yamaha. Thought about it, but I just keep a log with a running tally in the truck whenever I run the generator. The same journal I use for the generator is the same one I use to write down fueling for the truck that I later put into my spreadsheets, so it is not at risk of getting misplaced or lost.

The outfit that did my generator box.... Auxiliary Fuel Tank, Marine Fuel Tank, Custom Fuel TankHome Page

Here is their gallery page showing different boxes and how they are mounted. I sent them the same pics I posted here and they stuck them on that page. They seem to have a slow server, so be patient on photos showing.

Photo Gallery

 

[3930dave]

Howdy,
OK, we had a cold snap for a little while, then we just passed a hot snap. The snow is expected, so it was time....
OK, drained out gasoline from all generators, filled the truck up. Went and got fresh 100% gasoline, added stabil, filled all generators. Ran each generator for approx. 30 minutes with load. (2 x 1500 oil filled heaters)

Generators all ran fine, fresh gasoline, oil was changed during spring with now being only about 2 hours usage.

PTO generator was checked, pto shaft was greased, ready to go.

Well, your neighbours should thank you !

Based on the Anti-Murphy Law, with all that prep work done, your local grid won't go down all Winter :thumbsup: .

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

We need to fire up the generator over the long weekend. Tried to fire up the 1992 gen set in the old MH Saturday but fire coming from plug wires.

Meaning the wires are arcing to ground ? Was that the MH gen you changed plugs in, or a different one Gale ?

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The box for my Yamaha was made to order. The outfit that made it custom makes boxes for just about any portable generator., most standard portable generator models they already have all the specs they need to make the box. Others, they have a custom spec page where you can lay out dimensions and such. I don't have an hour meter on my Yamaha. Thought about it, but I just keep a log with a running tally in the truck whenever I run the generator. The same journal I use for the generator is the same one I use to write down fueling for the truck that I later put into my spreadsheets, so it is not at risk of getting misplaced or lost.

The outfit that did my generator box.... Auxiliary Fuel Tank, Marine Fuel Tank, Custom Fuel TankHome Page

Here is their gallery page showing different boxes and how they are mounted. I sent them the same pics I posted here and they stuck them on that page. They seem to have a slow server, so be patient on photos showing.

Photo Gallery

Thanks for the link, I'm sure others here will appreciate it too.

Sounds like you are the only operator of your truck, so your gen hours will be easy to track. I think Briggs sells their vibration sensing hour meter (3600rpm divides nicely to get 60) separately, but a "problem" with Japanese designed motors is there may not be enough vibration to sense !

Photos seemed to load OK tonight.

Rgds, D.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Meaning the wires are arcing to ground ? Was that the MH gen you changed plugs in, or a different one Gale ?

Rgds, D.

I should have typed NO spark was coming from the spark plug end of the wire. I put a screw driver into the metal clip and held the steel part while grounding the same hand on the generator. We put new plugs in this Kohler 5000 Confidant generator the last time we ran it about a year ago and it was starting fine.

Hopefully it is a faulty switch/relay keeping the coil grounded. It is not on a sliding tray and weights about 275 pounds and I do not want to have to pull it but may have to just to get the skin off if I can not get it to firing. It is to be about 60 Sat/Sun so I will get the son to help me look at it again. May have to put on the chain on forks and pull it out but I hope not.

The 454 engine is running super great. Before I started it up I cleaned the breather box and do out a dirt dauber nest and blew out the air filter that needs to be replaced sooner than later. While I was messing with the generator it 454 ran for about two hours with the dash air on high and with the dog house off so that heat keep the AC working hard. The wind was just right so the engine heat was coming out under the genset keeping me warm. I did shift from R-N-D and back about a dozen times after the ATF got up to about 120F to help the transmission seals, etc. but we need to get it out for a run to work some oil in the tires out to the surface.

I really want to get the genset running. Even if we do not use it I want it working. At least it is ready to drive by just turning the key which is important since it is parked next to the house.

 

[3930dave]

I should have typed NO spark was coming from the spark plug end of the wire. I put a screw driver into the metal clip and held the steel part while grounding the same hand on the generator. We put new plugs in this Kohler 5000 Confidant generator the last time we ran it about a year ago and it was starting fine.

Hopefully it is a faulty switch/relay keeping the coil grounded. It is not on a sliding tray and weights about 275 pounds and I do not want to have to pull it but may have to just to get the skin off if I can not get it to firing. It is to be about 60 Sat/Sun so I will get the son to help me look at it again. May have to put on the chain on forks and pull it out but I hope not.

The 454 engine is running super great. Before I started it up I cleaned the breather box and do out a dirt dauber nest and blew out the air filter that needs to be replaced sooner than later. While I was messing with the generator it 454 ran for about two hours with the dash air on high and with the dog house off so that heat keep the AC working hard. The wind was just right so the engine heat was coming out under the genset keeping me warm. I did shift from R-N-D and back about a dozen times after the ATF got up to about 120F to help the transmission seals, etc. but we need to get it out for a run to work some oil in the tires out to the surface.

I really want to get the genset running. Even if we do not use it I want it working. At least it is ready to drive by just turning the key which is important since it is parked next to the house.

I remember you changing the plugs in that gen; it sounded like it was purring along just fine back then. There's been a few of those "Glad I found this out, before I really needed it" examples in this thread.

Here's hoping it is an easy fix, and that you don't have to pull the whole thing out.

Eng and Trans on the MH will like that heat run, but yeah, most tires don't like sitting for long stretches. In that area, I'm thankful for non-pneumatic tires on my portable gens.

Good luck Gale, and let us know how that turns out...

Rgds, D.

 

[George2615]

I run my generator / welder at least once a month. Most times I run it for a small welding job just to keep it ready to go. I don't put a lot of hours on it but change the oil and filter annually.

 

[3930dave]

I run my generator / welder at least once a month. Most times I run it for a small welding job just to keep it ready to go. I don't put a lot of hours on it but change the oil and filter annually.

Once a month is a nice interval. This thread has helped me get closer to the every 3 months target I had, so I'm making progress !

A lot of equipment manufacturers won't spec oil intervals past one year, so that's a safe #.

Rgds, D.

 

[George2615]

Once a month is a nice interval. This thread has helped me get closer to the every 3 months target I had, so I'm making progress !

A lot of equipment manufacturers won't spec oil intervals past one year, so that's a safe #.

Rgds, D.

If mine was just a generator I'd probably do 3 mo. intervals.