Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Wakey]

I did my 10 hour oil change on my Generac since we were headed to the beach for 7 days. Thankfully the storm didn't head our way but I figured I'd get that out of the way, just in case.

I'll check the valves sometime in the next couple days.

Anyone else have trouble reading the dipstick? What a pain! I must have checked it 15 times to be sure and then spent another 10 minutes cleaning up spatters :laughing:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

For those of you that have a hard time reading dipsticks with new oil on them: What "I" do is, I run my thumb or finger down the stick and "feel" where the oil starts...

IF you can't do "that", maybe your wife can do it for you? lol

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I didn't run my main Kubota/Onan 7.5 on load for a while. Just started it up for five or ten minutes here and there. We have had humid conditions so I figured a good run to dry out the generator end might be in order. I had to drain my hot tub on account of what I believe was an accident involving a most unfortunate friend with Parkinsons. So anyway, I'm running with that 5KW Hot Tub Heater Load, but boy it's slow heating that water.

 

[grsthegreat]

I did my 10 hour oil change on my Generac since we were headed to the beach for 7 days. Thankfully the storm didn't head our way but I figured I'd get that out of the way, just in case.

I'll check the valves sometime in the next couple days.

Anyone else have trouble reading the dipstick? What a pain! I must have checked it 15 times to be sure and then spent another 10 minutes cleaning up spatters :laughing:

Try slowly rolling it on one of the blue paper towels, shows up great that way.

 

[daugen]

Try slowly rolling it on one of the blue paper towels, shows up great that way.

sure must, since to solve that problem I used a white paper towel. Blue gives more contrast :thumbsup:
Since my Generac never seems to use oil, if I forget to check, unlikely to be an issue. When I'm on standby and power is out, I'm stopping the gen every 12 hours anyway. With paper towel handy for more than just wiping off the stick.
Almost worth buying a roll of that overpriced blue towels...

 

[3930dave]

I did my 10 hour oil change on my Generac since we were headed to the beach for 7 days. Thankfully the storm didn't head our way but I figured I'd get that out of the way, just in case.

I'll check the valves sometime in the next couple days.

Anyone else have trouble reading the dipstick? What a pain! I must have checked it 15 times to be sure and then spent another 10 minutes cleaning up spatters :laughing:

Is that the initial service, or the regular change interval you go with ?

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I didn't run my main Kubota/Onan 7.5 on load for a while. Just started it up for five or ten minutes here and there. We have had humid conditions so I figured a good run to dry out the generator end might be in order. I had to drain my hot tub on account of what I believe was an accident involving a most unfortunate friend with Parkinsons. So anyway, I'm running with that 5KW Hot Tub Heater Load, but boy it's slow heating that water.

Few heat sinks are better than water..... that'll be a good workout for your gen :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Almost worth buying a roll of that overpriced blue towels...

Tried them a number of years ago.... I now keep them in stock in the garage. I like how they stand up to automotive chemicals, grease, and abrasion vs. standard paper towels. A bit pricey, but worth it to me.

Usually buy Kimberly Clark ones... Costco has them sometimes (big pack).

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

Tried them a number of years ago.... I now keep them in stock in the garage. I like how they stand up to automotive chemicals, grease, and abrasion vs. standard paper towels. A bit pricey, but worth it to me.

Usually buy Kimberly Clark ones... Costco has them sometimes (big pack).

Rgds, D.

Amazon.com: Scott Shop Towels Pack of 6: Health & Personal Care

six for 20 bucks is a lot cheaper than I thought. Scott is made by Kimberly Clark.
Likely to be several levels of thickness/material weight marketed, one a pro line or some such
I think I'll try the cheaper ones for now.
thanks!

most of my towels give it up to #2 black moly grease...so for wiping off excess grease from either myself
or the zerks or the surrounding areas, haven't had issues with standard towels falling apart on me. But then I'm using Bounty or something
fairly heavy weight.
Doesn't matter, really will make checking oil easier.
Will it make my barn wall look more professional? Now that is the question....

 

[Turbys_1700]

For those of you that have a hard time reading dipsticks with new oil on them: What "I" do is, I run my thumb or finger down the stick and "feel" where the oil starts...

IF you can't do "that", maybe your wife can do it for you? lol

SR

I take a paper towel and lay the dipstick on it. Been married 34 years. Probably because I've never asked my wife to check the oil in the generator.