Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

Started reading your post schaeff, and was trying to remember who posted up the nice collapsible pvc pipe shelter a while back, then realized yours isn't moving...... nice candidate for it's own mini-shed :thumbsup:.

Good stuff .

Rgds, D.

 

[90cummins]

I ran my 20hp Honda powered Porter Cable unit for an hour yesterday. It's a bit of a screamer, 10k continuous, 20k surge, electric start. Fired right up, I usually run it every other week for a bit while I'm out and about. Ethanol free fuel along with some stabilizer for good measure. I always keep it topped off on fuel just in case. Still haven't gotten around to building a doghouse for it, though I'll get to it one day. For now, I've built a small cover for it and it's wrapped in a tarp, set on a pallet with a heavy corrugated plastic slip sheet under it to keep ground moisture away from it.

It's far too heavy to think about moving, even if it had a wheel kit. So, it'll just hang out where it is until I need it. When the time arises, I plug it in, fire it up, wait a few minutes, click my interlock and turn on the whole house. Runs everything just fine.

Keep an eye out for mice. They love covered machinery and have caused the destruction of many generators, lawn tractors and mowers.

90cummins

 

[not2old]

I was going to suggest one of the new line from Briggs....

I bought one of these as the best compromise of what I needed at a price I could justify. I needed 240v for my well pump but had to do without electric start. It's a bit big for camping but doable. I will have to do some re-wiring on my trailer to make it work with two extension cords so that the air conditioner will operate.

 

[3930dave]

I was going to suggest one of the new line from Briggs....

I bought one of these as the best compromise of what I needed at a price I could justify. I needed 240v for my well pump but had to do without electric start. It's a bit big for camping but doable. I will have to do some re-wiring on my trailer to make it work with two extension cords so that the air conditioner will operate.

How do you find the pull/recoil action ? On my older model 7kw Briggs, I find it super easy to pull start.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Keep an eye out for mice. They love covered machinery and have caused the destruction of many generators, lawn tractors and mowers.

90cummins

Solution ! A big CAT diesel !

JK 90.... good point....... in the last 10 years, I've seen a crazy amount of wiring damage on vehicles, from mice.

Rgds, D.

 

[not2old]

How do you find the pull/recoil action ? On my older model 7kw Briggs, I find it super easy to pull start.

Rgds, D.

Like everybody else, I haven't needed to use it as the power hasn't gone out since I bought it. While not as easy as the mower with Honda motor I bought for the wife, it's still OK.

 

[ultrarunner]

Solution ! A big CAT diesel !

JK 90.... good point....... in the last 10 years, I've seen a crazy amount of wiring damage on vehicles, from mice.

Rgds, D.

Yep but even had ongoing mice problems with my CAT D3 dozer...

For some reason the oil pressure gauge line was a favorite to gnaw and can't count how many times I had to repair it.

I do think the Dryer Sheets behind the instrument cluster helped...

 

[3930dave]

Just a lame joke on my part.... almost need one or two felines on patrol too !

BX type sheathing seems like a good idea...... when the olde school insulation was updated to the enviro stuff, it's like it got even more appealing to rodents..... :mur:

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

miserable snow storm heading this way, hoped to get through the winter without it...not. High winds and up to six inches of snow will likely
cut power here. Plus temps dropping to 21 on Sat morning, not when you want to lose power. Going to start my baby gen this morning, might be loaning it out.
Likely there will be a car in the ditch out front during this event, black ice area that doesn't melt and we have almost no snow clearing equipment here.
So snow gets packed down and remains for days. Might get some seat time with the tractor and chain.
Good day to stay home tomorrow.

 

[daugen]

pulled five times on Champion gen and no joy. Then I checked the on/off switch. Sigh.
Started right up. :thumbsup:
Had to leave the choke on partially for about 30 seconds, then idled quietly.
Carb seems to drain quickly on this gen, takes a while to pull the gas through.