Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

what I am going to do after watching several YT videos is disconnect the low oil sensor.
apparently engine runs just fine with it disconnected and that part is known to fail.
The yellow wire is easy to find, just need to trace it back to disconnect plug.
not impressed with rust resistance on this unit, granted it's been outside for four years but has always been covered.
looks like I need to wipe down some of the front panel hardware with oil.
I do inspect the receptacles and have plugged and unplugged the 50 amp cord,plus DeOxit.
And I use a plastic/metal protectant on the frame.
but the rust around the push button breakers is unfortunate, likely due to our wet Spring here.

Would work best in an enclosure, but if you can get the gen "wrapped-up" well, these may help. I have older versions of the 333 unit, they work great.

Powerful Portable Eva-Dry Dehumidifiers | Eva-Dry Official Website

Bought a few dual-packs when Costco had them (no longer in store, here), and use them inside my vehicles as much of the year we have mid to very high-level humidity. Before buying, asked about product on here; many guys had been using for years in gun-safes, tool boxes etc, and gave great reviews.

Not an expensive product, but since the Renewable version plugs into AC, I initially viewed it as "Seems like a great idea, but if they cheap-out building it......". <<< Why I asked on TBN back-when, b4 buying.....

Let us know how Disconnect works out...

Rgds, D.

 

[Racer4]

I see the yellow light is on, indicating I need to do something. I’ll check it out later. Probably wants an oil change. I did it last summer and it hasn’t been used much since.

 

[3930dave]

I see the yellow light is on, indicating I need to do something. I’ll check it out later. Probably wants an oil change. I did it last summer and it hasn’t been used much since.

The clip "Nag, Nag, Nag" from that old Eastwood movie popped into my head....

That said, these reminders are obviously useful.

Rgds, D.

 

[daugen]

finally got home after a long day and could not trace low oil disconnect wire to a connector, it went inside a box.
son of my neighbor across the street sells and installs Generacs, he offered to come pick it up and fix it.
I did get the replacement rocker switch in so if it's that at least he has the correct part.
will advise when I know what broke, still dead

 

[3930dave]

Best Luck d, hopefully an easy fix...... 'cause Murphy is always watching/lurking !

Rgds, D.

 

[90cummins]

Moisture has a way of getting into everything & creating issues.
I always use grease, dielectric grease or fluid film on any exposed electrical connections & plugs.
90cummins

 

[ArlyA]

I picked me up a 3200i generator and been running it the past few days operating two 1500 watt heat guns. It has a automatic choke and a fuel gauge. What a nice unit!

 

[daugen]

I picked me up a 3200i generator and been running it the past few days operating two 1500 watt heat guns. It has a automatic choke and a fuel gauge. What a nice unit!View attachment 4067351

it's a fuely!...
fuel injection is a wonderful thing

 

[orezok]

Honda makes excellent generators. But at $2800 its a little spendy.

 

[RjCorazza]

I picked me up a 3200i generator and been running it the past few days operating two 1500 watt heat guns. It has a automatic choke and a fuel gauge. What a nice unit!View attachment 4067351

From the picture, that 3200 has a really small footprint. Have they really gotten that small?

 

[ArlyA]

From the picture, that 3200 has a really small footprint. Have they really gotten that small?

Not sure, but I can carry it around with one hand for short distances. Its larger than our 2000 watt model.

 

[3930dave]

From the picture, that 3200 has a really small footprint. Have they really gotten that small?

I was thinking it was just me..... I haven't been keeping up, as I was used to the square-boy style @ 3kw (ish) with Honda, but that would be the older carb'd ones I'm thinking of.

Arly's 3200 is about $3300 CAD regular List, looks like about 60#. They seem to now have the 3k square-boy Injected too, but it's something like 130# dry, so harder to move, but it does have a bigger tank.

Too many ways, that TBN can help spend my $ !

Rgds, D.

 

[ponytug]

Not sure, but I can carry it around with one hand for short distances. Its larger than our 2000 watt model.

Well, I think that yours is a lot smaller than the EU3000i. That was a beast. It took two strong people to move that one around. Very quiet though.

I hope that you like yours, and never need to use it in an outage. (I can hope, right? )

All the best,

Peter

 

[eolesen]

Honda makes excellent generators. But at $2800 its a little spendy.

They are spendy, but I have a pair of EU2000i's that just turned 23, so.... thats worked out to under $100 per year combined....

 

[check]

no joy this afternoon on a test
light under start push button should light up when rocker switch turned to on.
Doesn't.
won't start manually.
am thinking bad rocker switch, sprayed some contact cleaner in, no joy.
hoping a friend can take it apart tomorrow and we can determine where power is stopping.
there is a big blade fuse on the starter and that was fine.
View attachment 4026988

I have that same generator and it's a ***** to start on gasoline

 

[ponytug]

I have that same generator and it's a ***** to start on gasoline

Any thoughts on why? E.g. carb clogs easily? Too lean?...

Curious.

All the best, Peter

 

[kenmbz]

My Champion is at least 10 years old and gets used a few times per year during outages.
It's a 8500 and electric start.
I think it might need an oil change soon, but it starts right up every time so far.
Nothing fancy and only works on gas.

 

[ArlyA]

I picked me up a 3200i generator and been running it the past few days operating two 1500 watt heat guns. It has a automatic choke and a fuel gauge. What a nice unit!View attachment 4067351

More pics, might give you idea of its size.

 

[3930dave]

My Champion is at least 10 years old and gets used a few times per year during outages.
It's a 8500 and electric start.
I think it might need an oil change soon, but it starts right up every time so far.
Nothing fancy and only works on gas.

If it starts/runs/produces power.... paint colour/bling are definitely secondary in a power-outage. What sticks in my mind re. Champion was somebody on here being gifted a non-running one from a construction contractor - probably back-when Hour meters were less common. It had just run so many hours, that it needed a valve adjustment to regain compression - oil-change, new plug, Good to Go !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

More pics, might give you idea of its size.View attachment 4068711View attachment 4068712

@ 3kw, what is impressing me is the weight. OK, small(er) tank is one thing, but it would be interesting to see an engineering teardown on that unit (not ask You for one ).

Does have me wondering (other than the tank) how they dropped the weight down....... Carbon-Fibre chassis, that is Helium filled ?

Rgds, D.