Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Turbys_1700]

Be sure and check/change the oil. After that solenoid sticks gas will go past the rings and dilute the oil. You will probably find it overfilled if the mechanic didn't already change it.

Yes, we went ahead and changed it.

 

[Looking4new]

Hydro went out for 45 minutes today. That is my maintenance run for January.

 

[PILOON]

Hydro went out for 45 minutes today. That is my maintenance run for January.

LOL, called 'forced maintenance'.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I started my small Honda gen today, 3/4 load for 20 mins, and 5 more at fast idle... I filled it with E0 gas, so it's always ready TO GO!

SR

 

[3930dave]

I am setting up a MEP803A Military Surplus generator. These units are designed to deliver 10KW at 80% and capable of running 24/7 in the desert.

I built a load bank using four 5400 watt dryer elements to run and test it with. I used a 100 amp outdoor panel with 6 spaces to set up three 240V circuits. Two circuits are 5400W and one is 2700W. Two of the elements are connected in series to cut the load in half. The fan is 120v and I plug it into the 120v convenience outlet on the generator. I will set a reminder in my phone calendar for regular testing intervals.
View attachment 494516

I am planning to keep a little over 100 gallons of diesel on hand but I will fill my tractor and backhoe from the drums to keep it rotated. Also going to add the correct amounts of Killem biocide and Stanadyne Lubricity formula to the storage tanks just for peace of mind. The generator has a auxiliary fuel system that will pump fuel from the storage drum to keep the generator tank full.

Here is a photo of the genset in it's final resting place with the load bank connected.
View attachment 494515

This is a video of the first time I ran it on the load bank.
Load Test MEP83A Generator - YouTube

I still have a few refinements to make. I have some digital meters ordered to install in place of the flaky analog instruments it came with. The volt and hertz meters didn't read at all on this when I got it. I cleaned out the voltage meter and it works but isn't accurate so I didn't bother with the hertz meter. The percent load meter on the unit reads higher than the actual load so I'm not going to bother with any of them. All accounts are the original meters are junk and not to be trusted. I have a digital generator meter coming that will read the voltage and hertz and a couple more that read voltage and amps. I will use the volt/hertz meter to adjust output and droop. I plan to put one each of the volt/amp meters on L1 and L3 to monitor the loads and see how even they are.

Thanks for the test setup details, and the feedback on the milsurp gen. Nicely done.

Rgds, D.

 

[farmer2009]

Put a motor and auger on a bulk feed bin. Barn it's at only has 120 power. So put in a plug and 20 amp 240 disconnect. Been using generator to power it. So generator is getting about 15 minutes of run time ever week. First week generator hadn't been run in 6 months. Had some trouble starting it in 30* weather. Had to use some starting fluid and once running added some sea foam. Started by second pull since then.

 

[3930dave]

Put a motor and auger on a bulk feed bin. Barn it's at only has 120 power. So put in a plug and 20 amp 240 disconnect. Been using generator to power it. So generator is getting about 15 minutes of run time ever week. First week generator hadn't been run in 6 months. Had some trouble starting it in 30* weather. Had to use some starting fluid and once running added some sea foam. Started by second pull since then.

I'm traveling, and on flaky wifi at the moment.... can't type fast enough to post all I want to say.....

Gas motors.... does seem to vary by make and model, and regional fuel source.... mine seem happy at 3 months, past 6 often takes extra cranking.

Murphy never sleeps, but quite a few of you guys have been beating him back into his corner... for now

Rgds, D.

 

[dragoneggs]

I periodically run my Honda EU3000iS generator but I don't put a load on it unless it is working during a power outage. Just how important is loading it during a maintenance run?

 

[Looking4new]

3930dave....
Shell V-power (High Test) aka [the good stuff] gas has no ethanol in it. Better for the small engines in the long run.

 

[3930dave]

I periodically run my Honda EU3000iS generator but I don't put a load on it unless it is working during a power outage. Just how important is loading it during a maintenance run?

I view reliable starting as 75-95% of the battle; as that's where most people have issues with small gens.

I don't know enough about generator design to make statements like "This particular model has to be exercised at 60%+ load to stay healthy". My belt and suspender outlook on loaded testing is that it addresses things like circuit breakers tripping early, output issues like Industrial Toys listed today, and if a fuel filter is present - fuel starvation under heavy load.

I used to do test engineering for a living, and still reflexively try and test as close to real use if I can. In a cold environment, the bonus of load testing is you also get the engine up to operating temperature faster. Once you are into diesel units, you likely won't get close to operating temp w/o significant load - 90 has posted on wet-stack repairs he's had to do for people, regarding this diesel issue.

So, I'd say there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What I do know, is if it won't start, you don't want to find that out during an emergency.

Rgds, D.