Your last generator Maintenance Run

[TimberXX]

Just got power back in NJ, been out for over 4 days. Prev owner put in a 17kw generac. in 10 years it only has 350 hours on it. it consumes oil, and needs to be topped off daily, but we do run it 24-7 during an outage. i like the automatic transfer switch for the wife and kids when i am away. And idea how long these generacs last? i read online, but i trust the TBNers. worst case, in a few years i will pickup a pto genset to back up the generac.

 

[LouNY]

Or just swap out the engine, that way it still works for your wife with the auto start.

Also if desired for ease of use for your wife consider an auto oil level maintainer;
KLC - Oil Level Controller | KENCO
LM3 Series | FW Murphy Production Controls

I have and use a pto powered generator, I also have two tractors that are usually just sitting and waiting to be used and access to several more if needed,
however my wife would not be comfortable operating the transfer switch (manual), getting the tractor started and backed up to the generator, pto hooked up and turned on and run up to speed.
Fortunately for her I have a few brothers close by that can and would come over and get it going for her.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Just got power back in NJ, been out for over 4 days. Prev owner put in a 17kw generac. in 10 years it only has 350 hours on it. it consumes oil, and needs to be topped off daily, but we do run it 24-7 during an outage. i like the automatic transfer switch for the wife and kids when i am away. And idea how long these generacs last? i read online, but i trust the TBNers. worst case, in a few years i will pickup a pto genset to back up the generac.

Glad your power is back on. Sounds like the last owner did it right. Our manual set is 30 years old with a 18 HP B&S engine.

I consider a small engine running under a load for 24 hours not to be burning oil if all it needs is to be topped off.

 

[grsthegreat]

Just got power back in NJ, been out for over 4 days. Prev owner put in a 17kw generac. in 10 years it only has 350 hours on it. it consumes oil, and needs to be topped off daily, but we do run it 24-7 during an outage. i like the automatic transfer switch for the wife and kids when i am away. And idea how long these generacs last? i read online, but i trust the TBNers. worst case, in a few years i will pickup a pto genset to back up the generac.

its really hard to say. I have serviced units with 1,000ç—´ of run hours on them that look bad but still run good. Others that fail with a few hundred hours. If properly maintained they run a heck of a long time. Generac recommends stopping every 24 hours letting it cool and check oil. Older units should have oil and filter changed after 100 hour run. Newer units after 200 hour run. Personally on mine i never do 24 hours. During extended outage i shut it off during daylight hours running only intermittently and when we sleep. This is to conserve propane and also unless its freezing cold, were ok with no power during daylight hours.
if your ran for 4 days, time for full service. Plugs, filters, oil and if not done for awhile adjust valves. Tight valves, especially on exhaust side, are the leading issues on these things.

I have re-engined some older units over the years, but its getting harder and harder to get brand new older year engines. All EPA related. I hear of people rebuilding older engines, parts are available. But to pull an engine and replace is nearly a 6 hour job. If i had a unit thats served great and reliable for 10 years, i would do my best to maintain it as long as possible, then when it fails REPLACE it with new unit. There not that much more expensive than a pto generator. A little rewiring might be necessary to mate an older transfer switch to new gen, but easily done. Minor labor charge.

 

[3930dave]

Just got power back in NJ, been out for over 4 days. Prev owner put in a 17kw generac. in 10 years it only has 350 hours on it. it consumes oil, and needs to be topped off daily, but we do run it 24-7 during an outage. i like the automatic transfer switch for the wife and kids when i am away. And idea how long these generacs last? i read online, but i trust the TBNers. worst case, in a few years i will pickup a pto genset to back up the generac.

Only needs oil.... has served you very well :thumbsup:.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Or just swap out the engine, that way it still works for your wife with the auto start.

Also if desired for ease of use for your wife consider an auto oil level maintainer;
KLC - Oil Level Controller | KENCO
LM3 Series | FW Murphy Production Controls

I have and use a pto powered generator, I also have two tractors that are usually just sitting and waiting to be used and access to several more if needed,
however my wife would not be comfortable operating the transfer switch (manual), getting the tractor started and backed up to the generator, pto hooked up and turned on and run up to speed.
Fortunately for her I have a few brothers close by that can and would come over and get it going for her.

Thanks for posting those Lou; I hadn't seen them before. Interesting.... the Kenco distinguishes synthetic....

Backups..... equipment and people :cool2:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

its really hard to say. I have serviced units with 1,000痴 of run hours on them that look bad but still run good. Others that fail with a few hundred hours. If properly maintained they run a heck of a long time. Generac recommends stopping every 24 hours letting it cool and check oil. Older units should have oil and filter changed after 100 hour run. Newer units after 200 hour run. Personally on mine i never do 24 hours. During extended outage i shut it off during daylight hours running only intermittently and when we sleep. This is to conserve propane and also unless its freezing cold, were ok with no power during daylight hours.
if your ran for 4 days, time for full service. Plugs, filters, oil and if not done for awhile adjust valves. Tight valves, especially on exhaust side, are the leading issues on these things.

I have re-engined some older units over the years, but its getting harder and harder to get brand new older year engines. All EPA related. I hear of people rebuilding older engines, parts are available. But to pull an engine and replace is nearly a 6 hour job. If i had a unit thats served great and reliable for 10 years, i would do my best to maintain it as long as possible, then when it fails REPLACE it with new unit. There not that much more expensive than a pto generator. A little rewiring might be necessary to mate an older transfer switch to new gen, but easily done. Minor labor charge.

I was hoping you'd stop by shortly grs. (Not sure how much reading you've done on here Timber...... he's forgotten more about Generacs than many of us know......).

Cover all the basic maintance, on-schedule. Good reminder grs..... I've caught myself chasing more exotic perceived faults, when it was actually just a basic mtce item that had been deferred.....

Understanding that oil consumption (+/-) should be expected during an extended high-load run, I have a couple of oil-related questions re. Generacs....

I think you've posted before grs, but I've forgotten what you run for oil in yours. No Generac experience here, but I've noted some reduced oil consumption on certain engines using an appropriate grade good-quality synthetic. (NOAK volatility is lower on many synthetics).

Do Generacs have a pcv valve or filter ? Oils and engines are now better than the olden days, but I find they are largely ignored in automotive applications today (IMO, they shouldn't be..... :2cents.

Rgds, D.

 

[grsthegreat]

I was hoping you'd stop by shortly grs. (Not sure how much reading you've done on here Timber...... he's forgotten more about Generacs than many of us know......).

Cover all the basic maintance, on-schedule. Good reminder grs..... I've caught myself chasing more exotic perceived faults, when it was actually just a basic mtce item that had been deferred.....

Understanding that oil consumption (+/-) should be expected during an extended high-load run, I have a couple of oil-related questions re. Generacs....

I think you've posted before grs, but I've forgotten what you run for oil in yours. No Generac experience here, but I've noted some reduced oil consumption on certain engines using an appropriate grade good-quality synthetic. (NOAK volatility is lower on many synthetics).

Do Generacs have a pcv valve or filter ? Oils and engines are now better than the olden days, but I find they are largely ignored in automotive applications today (IMO, they shouldn't be..... :2cents.

Rgds, D.

i only work on air cooled stationary units. The type of oil and viscosity vary depending on climate, however a good 5w30 synthetic covers most of the ranges according to generac tech. Personally i use Mobil 1-5w30 on all my services. And its changed out every 2 years on any unit newer than 2010 and every year on older units. These Gen units dont gets much use and build up moisture in any oil. So even if it has low hours, it gets new oil. Were talking about 1.7 quarts after all.

Units with alot of use actually have better looking oil than the low hour units.

Generac had finally introduced hydraulic valves in the lower kw units (13&16 kw). Hopefully soon in the rest. Lately ive been running compression tests on older units as a matter of general service and writing value on valve covers. Better way to keep abreast of generator condition over time. Also a good indication if valve adjust needs to be looked at.

Generac recommends valves at 25 run hours, then every 4 years ish....really depends on use. I have repaired many, many generator start and run issues over the years with simple valve lash adjustments.

I just heard Generac now has a 24kw air cooled unit available. And i thought my 22kw was cool.

The stationary units have a replaceable oil filter ... screw on... I only use OEM filters myself, but purchase 90 at a time from Generac. Napa also sells a good aftermarket unit. But buying 90 at a time i get them far cheaper than napa.

 

[Robin Veerman]

I use Amsoil Small Engine oil and it is one of the few specific small engine synthetic oils out there. Here's a link to three oils that Amsoil makes for commercial duty use in Small Engines, you choose the appropriate viscosity as per your owners manual. After you open the Amsoil link click on Technical Info and then on Data bulletin and you will then see detailed info on the oil. This oil is also suitable for certain small diesel tractors and skidsteer type equipment etc. I like Amsoil and have been using it for close to thirty years. Just not real easy to get here in Canada... I'm always a case or two ahead for all my needs. There aren't too many oils specifically for hard working small engines, and I don't like the idea of using an oil that is made for service in the auto industry. Possibly most motorcycle oils would be much better than car oil in small engines? Free shipping in the USA if over $100 I believe. Dutchy
4 Stroke Power Equipment - AMSOIL

 

[3930dave]

I've used the 10w30 version of that Amsoil small engine oil in my older air-cooled engines. Low burn-off, and ZDDP #'s may still be reasonable, since it doesn't have the latest Sx rating for automotive.

Used to do a fair bit of long-distance/high-speed commuting, that's where I first noticed lower oil consumption with synthetics..... that, and low temperature Winter starting sold me.....

Rgds, D.