Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

Just stumbled onto this thread, and will admit I did not go back and read the 612 pages between the first and the last, but the whole subject surprised me. I do quite the opposite, in that I prep the genny for long-term storage after each use, not knowing whether my next need for it will be in 2 weeks or 2 years. Then it's stored, much like it would be on a shelf in the factory or big box store, I never do "maintenance runs" between usage.

Basic Honda-powered 8 kW gasoline job, here's my routine:

1. Always mix fuel stabilizer with all fuel going into the tank.
2. In as much as it's impossible to know when an outage will be ending, endeavor to leave the tank less than half full, so that fresh fuel can always be added at next use.
3. Always shut down at the end of an outage by closing fuel shutoff valve, and letting line run dry.
4. Always drain carb bowl of fuel at end of an outage, mine has a nice little bleeder screw for this purpose.
5. Always change oil after an outage, and before putting it back into storage. Doesn't matter if usage was only 4 hours, I want it stored with uncontaminated oil in the crank case, as it might be a year or three before next use.
6. Watch hour meter, and keep up with all other maintenance items (spark plug, air filter, etc.) at specified intervals.

Following this routine, it has never failed to perform when needed.

You've found a practice that works well, for your combination of machine/fuel source/environment.... worth sticking to.

Scattered through these pages are differing examples of successful practices. Pay attention to what works (over Time), then be disciplined about doing it..... and don't ignore factory recommendations..... any of these machines attended this way should run a very long time.

I started out with dry storage years ago, then found that the regional fuel here tended to leave white deposits over time, that would stick floats etc...... coincident with getting back into the motorcycle game (and storing the bike Wet), I decided to store my other small engines Wet, and haven't looked back.

One thing I won't do here is let fuel tanks sit long term below Full. Humid much of the year here, with massive temperature swings, so in-tank condensation is a big issue for this region.

Your Honda sounds to be running fine (they usually do), but esp. if it has a metal gas tank, you might want to take a peak at the top of the tank with a borescope.

When they launched it, Stabil supplied a lot of information about what 360 was designed to do above the fuel line (vapour deposition).... I don't see that now listed, so I don't know if the formulation has changed, or their Legal/Finance shut that 411 stream down, after too many people with already rusted fuel tanks filed claims.....

360 is what I use at the moment, in my metal tanked small engines.....

STA-BIL 360 Protection - Fuel Treatment for Engines | Gold Eagle Co

Thanks for stopping by Winter..... your process works well for you, and your diligence re. clean-oil is notable.

Rgds, D.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Generac has been on a tear in recent years, the past year hasn't been quite as kind

I hope this works out ok for all.

 

[5030]

Don't matter to me as my diesel powered Generac standby has been flawless for years
It just exercised 10 minutes ago btw.

 

[3930dave]

Generac has been on a tear in recent years, the past year hasn't been quite as kind

I hope this works out ok for all.

Any company can be mismanaged into the ground, but in 2023, those headings don't surprise me too much.

The Residential sales portion had been ramping so hard, it had to soften at least somewhat. I don't see the Residential market requirement disappearing.... Cali alone could/will soak up generators for years to come.... unless they ban electricity....

Companies often deal with multiple lawsuits at any one time, unfortunately, and considering the economic cycle, in 2023, those #'s aren't big.

Solar..... 30 years ago, a company could dabble in Solar, but it's an All-In game today.... don't play in that market, unless you are serious about competing.

Hoping they don't disappear.....

Rgds, D.

 

[WinterDeere]

I don't see the Residential market requirement disappearing.... Cali alone could/will soak up generators for years to come.... unless they ban electricity....

I'll take that thought a step further: I really expect the proliferation of heat pumps over oil- or gas-fired boilers, and ramping EV sales over ICE's, will increase the demand for whole-house generators. Especially if the propaganda about our grid becoming overtaxed and less reliable, real or over-inflated, continues to ride high in the news. I'd think that if Generac were down this quarter, it might be a good time to invest in them or other companies aimed at home electricity independence.

 

[3930dave]

I'd think that if Generac were down this quarter, it might be a good time to invest in them or other companies aimed at home electricity independence.

You don't Buy High, Sell Low then ?

Agreed.... if I was 20 years younger, with the right ticket, I'd be taking a serious look at that market..... I think it's only going to continue to grow.

grs, who stops by here once in a while, has/had been trying to retire for a long time, from serving that market.... I don't think he advertised much/any in decades....

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

Any company can be mismanaged into the ground, but in 2023, those headings don't surprise me too much.

The Residential sales portion had been ramping so hard, it had to soften at least somewhat. I don't see the Residential market requirement disappearing.... Cali alone could/will soak up generators for years to come.... unless they ban electricity....

Companies often deal with multiple lawsuits at any one time, unfortunately, and considering the economic cycle, in 2023, those #'s aren't big.

Solar..... 30 years ago, a company could dabble in Solar, but it's an All-In game today.... don't play in that market, unless you are serious about competing.

Hoping they don't disappear.....

Rgds, D.

Many generators can no longer be sold in California.

 

[orezok]

Many generators can no longer be sold in California.

Not until 2028 and then only gas generators. Propane (and I’m guessing NG) and diesel are exempt. AND it only prohibits sale in CA, not use. Buy it out of state and you're good to go.

 

[ultrarunner]

Asked why no Honda generators at the generator supply thinking all sold out but learned Honda and State of California reached an impasse... plus many others don't meet California regs...

Maybe resolved but this was my latest info

Regarding California: We will no longer sell all of our products into California due to CARB/EPA slapping a giant fine on us, as well as other manufacturers. This is retroactive to 2020 production units, and I am currently in charge of pulling every unit out of California for sale into every other state

 

[3930dave]

Asked why no Honda generators at the generator supply thinking all sold out but learned Honda and State of California reached an impasse... plus many others don't meet California regs...

Maybe resolved but this was my latest info

Regarding California: We will no longer sell all of our products into California due to CARB/EPA slapping a giant fine on us, as well as other manufacturers. This is retroactive to 2020 production units, and I am currently in charge of pulling every unit out of California for sale into every other state

You yourself will be fine, if you are still there after retiring.... but a lot of people will be getting used to sitting in the dark/heat/cold, when a generator could have made a critical difference.

OK, if you are an old-order religion who lives w/o electricity normally, but while I don't have the demographic data at my fingertips, I'm thinking most of Cali doesn't fall into that category.....

Rgds, D.