Your last generator Maintenance Run

[TheMan419]

You can always "boost" it from your car or what ever else you have around there with a batt. in it.

You DO keep a GOOD set of jumper cables around, don't you?

SR

Yes both cars have a good set in them and the shop has a set of its own. Can't ever be too far away from a set of cables .

 

[Sawyer Rob]

A couple days ago I bought this,

I put oil/fuel in it and it started right up. I let it run a while and then plugged the fans on my wood stove in and then my basement sump pump, there was no delay at all when they all started together, so it's now good to go and I'm very happy with it...

It's a pretty good power increase, over my Honda 2000 that I was using for short outages...

SR

 

[ultrarunner]

Christmas came early... you must have been very good.

I really like the small Honda offerings... still have my EX1000 from 1990 and keep it on the truck since new.

 

[PILOON]

A neighbour (admittedly, with more $ than I) buys vehicles brand-new, then always replace the battery at 5 years old. He used to build stock-cars, so knows his way around machinery...... He said "That way, they always start, and alternators seem to last longer too". Some truth there.....

Alternately, if you have a good industrial battery supply place nearby, they should be able to load-test you present battery for you.

UR may comment on exact time-limits, but I know batteries on medical equipment get cycled out-of-service after not that many months on-line.

Rgds, D.

Back when I was a sales rep (60- 70's) I also changed batteries every 3-4 years.
My logic was a battery was the same price as a boosting and I did not lose valuable 'salesman hours' waiting for that boost.
Management agreed!
Same logic was used for tires. Why wait till bald, change early and enjoy good traction vs wait last minute and let the used buyer have nice new tires. Simple logic.
Big problem was the # crunchers that always looke at bottom line and never the overall logic.

LOL, I recall management that sent me a lawyers letter asking where my last 2 pairs of snow tires were. ( I had resigned)
My reply was, go look in the scrap yard!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sure, if you had lots of money and lots of time to administer such preventative measure, fine. Most of us don't live that way though. My summer GMC Sierra Tires are just about bald (o8 OEM) and I'm wrestling with whether or not I should get another season out of them. I don't speed, don't tailgate and besides that stupid truck with the garbage ABS doesn't even try to stop anyway in slippery conditions, so what's the point?

I did have the serpentine belt replaced prematurely as my mechanic told me it's not something you want to attempt at the side of the road.

 

[4570Man]

I agree with replacing tires before they’re completely junk. Anything else not so much. A battery will usually give you a couple days notice. Most other parts are a crapshoot. I’m not spending money to replace something that’s not broke. You could spend a fortune replacing parts that might fail and still be stranded. Or worse yet cause other problems in the process. And I don’t know where you’re paying that much for a jump. If you’ve got your own cables it’s probably free or maybe a $10 tip.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Yeah, I once changed my plugs prior to going down to MD. Halfway there car started to run rough, and all the way back. Bad Plug!

A weak battery can damage your starter.

I'm sure a lot of taxi drivers are eager to "help you friend" by charging you an arm and a leg for a boost. May it fry their computers!

 

[3930dave]

A couple days ago I bought this,

I put oil/fuel in it and it started right up. I let it run a while and then plugged the fans on my wood stove in and then my basement sump pump, there was no delay at all when they all started together, so it's now good to go and I'm very happy with it...

It's a pretty good power increase, over my Honda 2000 that I was using for short outages...

SR

Nice addition Rob - ups your capability, but still sips fuel :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

That should take care of any emergency batt. problems you many have with your generator...

SR

Won't start my big diesel, but that pack is rated for 3.0L diesels, or 6L gas motors. None of my gens are anywhere close to those sizes, yet at least .

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I know it sounds a bit unimportant, but I just saw various LED head mounted gear really cheap. I can't say how valuable that might be if you are alone working in the dark trying to get something going. I could never get myself to put a germ infested flashlight in my mouth!

Mag used to make a insulated end-fitting for their flashlights (probably still does). That was designed to solve the problem of contacting a live panel, with a metal flashlight in your mouth :shocked:

Rgds, D.