tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post417937088843221633..comments2024-01-26T01:49:56.783-06:00Comments on Lagniappe's Lair: Generator test dayMurphy's Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17164780742334950772noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-19998645134345686652012-10-17T14:41:40.899-05:002012-10-17T14:41:40.899-05:00My wife and I have a 4200 watt, 8 HP, generator. W...My wife and I have a 4200 watt, 8 HP, generator. We use the fuel stabilizer from a boating supplys store and run synthetic oil with a fuel change yearly. Test run twice yearly under electric heater, or hair dryer, load.<br />Just, and I mean moments ago, finished adding electric start. Waiting for wife to come home so we can do dramatic first electric start together.<br /><br />John In Philadelphia John in Phillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16196033252818387245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-47108029281693595622012-10-16T19:15:43.253-05:002012-10-16T19:15:43.253-05:00One thing nobody has commented on, is dual-fuel or...One thing nobody has commented on, is dual-fuel or tri-fuel operation.<br />I can get a conversion kit to run my little Honda EU2000i on propane, but it's an either/or situation between propane and gas. The carb on it is just too small to be dual-fuel capable. Most of the larger sized generators have conversion kits that allow you to select gasoline, propane, or natural gas for fuel.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-48940996553139719782012-10-16T16:36:02.522-05:002012-10-16T16:36:02.522-05:00I start and run the generator when I switch out th...<br />I start and run the generator when I switch out the lawn mower and snowblower - twice each year along with the gasoline supply. <br /><br />Treat the gasoline with Stabil and Marvel Mystery Oil per instructions.<br /><br />Run the generator and the snowblower for about 15 or 20 minutes. They both recommend a full tank to start so after running them a while I siphon off most of the remaining gas back into the gas can(s) and let the engine consume the rest.<br /><br />I have a small 2500 max watts inverter generator. Enough to run the refrigerators a couple times a day and recharge anything that needs recharging. It will run about 8 or 9 hours on a gallon. <br /><br />Will probably upgrade to a larger unit and xfer switch when I redo the aged kitchen and the breaker box but I am ambivalent about "whole house" backup. I would, however, like to be able to run the furnace if necessary although I have a fireplace and space heater. Knuckleheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09245646229814895145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-82095479923117357162012-10-13T07:47:33.559-05:002012-10-13T07:47:33.559-05:00Stabi. Or Pr-G. Either will keep the gas good for ...Stabi. Or Pr-G. Either will keep the gas good for about a year.<br /><br />Otherwise empty the entire tank.<br /><br />And rotate your stored gas every 6 months or so. <br /><br />How much gas do you keep on hand? B https://www.blogger.com/profile/10586046436233366155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-74754274164950894912012-10-13T00:25:50.767-05:002012-10-13T00:25:50.767-05:00you might also want to set the piston to top dead ...you might also want to set the piston to top dead center so that the exhaust and intake valves are both closed, preventing moisture from getting into the cylinder. Gas stabilizer is a good idea too.<br /><br />I run my generator about twice a month to supplement solar power (we live in Africa), to top up the batteries or if we're doing something with a heavy draw on the system.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826264279738210633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-54506320107684528412012-10-12T17:26:33.557-05:002012-10-12T17:26:33.557-05:00Oh crap. I knew there was something I forgot to do...Oh crap. I knew there was something I forgot to do. Sixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05572583408046642437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-80047031526358052012-10-12T16:06:47.952-05:002012-10-12T16:06:47.952-05:00Sigh. I suppose I should check the kerosene suppl...Sigh. I suppose I should check the kerosene supply.ProudHillbillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14305205710265854978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-73503008781575977742012-10-12T15:44:50.297-05:002012-10-12T15:44:50.297-05:00You are ahead of me Murph! I have not gotten aroun...You are ahead of me Murph! I have not gotten around to installing the transfer switch yet. Keadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09982258812373127063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-70509899896845814402012-10-12T15:36:10.339-05:002012-10-12T15:36:10.339-05:00Mine's a little Honda EU2000i, and I run it ev...Mine's a little Honda EU2000i, and I run it every three months or so. I keep StaBil in the gas and the gas can, and never have more than a couple of gallons on hand. It always starts on the first pull, and it's big enough to run the fridge and freezer for our food.<br />It's mostly for my portable Amateur Radio operations when I need more oomph than my 100AHr gel cell and 200 Watt solar panels can provide.drjimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05647484115197408897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20147126.post-12808695729637763602012-10-12T14:40:16.601-05:002012-10-12T14:40:16.601-05:00I have been testing mine every other week.....thou...I have been testing mine every other week.....though my set up is a Miller Bobcat Welder with on board 10kw generator. I do occasionally do some welding, but have it ready, by the main panel outside ready to hook up. It is an electric start motor, and had found that over time of not running, the battery would die down. I have installed a battery maintainer to keep the charge up for when it is needed.<br /><br />Eventually after other things get caught up, I will be investing in solar apparatus.Warlock Sundancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05358242593817146293noreply@blogger.com