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Portable generator: how long can you run continuously?

Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:07 pm
Posted by TulaneUVA
Member since Jun 2005
25928 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:07 pm
I have a portable generator on gasoline. 3600 running and been going for about almost 48 hours. When do I need to shut it off? And for how long?
Posted by HighRoller
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2011
4276 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:08 pm to
Ran mine for 9 days after Laura. Changed oil in it every couple of days.
Posted by ItNeverRains
37069
Member since Oct 2007
25672 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:09 pm to
Get tri fuel and hook it up to your NG line.
Posted by HighRoller
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2011
4276 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:09 pm to
What I did after Laura. Got tired of looking for gas
Posted by TulaneUVA
Member since Jun 2005
25928 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:20 pm to
Even with NG, does it change the requirements on shutting it down?
Posted by HighRoller
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2011
4276 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:23 pm to
Throw some super synthetic oil in it and let it run. NG doesn’t dirty up the oil like gas.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14094 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:24 pm to
I shut mine off to cool down every 12 hours during Laura. Usually during fuel change.

I'd check oil and give it a break. Had it in the shade and I also plugged a box fan up and had it blowing on it. Box fan doesn't draw shite.

I also put rotella T6 heavy duty diesel synthetic oil. Made for high heat cycle. Oil looked great when I changed it every 3 days
Posted by lepdagod
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2015
3464 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:25 pm to
If the oil good... you can run it until it the oil needs changing...
Posted by WHATASHAME
Louisiana
Member since Sep 2009
624 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:33 pm to
Good synthetic oil about 50 hours. Also, a box fan on it wouldn’t hurt.
This post was edited on 5/19/24 at 7:36 pm
Posted by geauxengineering
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2015
263 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:38 pm to
Get a motorsnorkle from US carburetor and run on natural gas. Oil runs clean on natural gas.

motorsnorkel.com


Posted by Poobear13
Member since Feb 2024
6 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 7:40 pm to
I ran my littler generac Home Depot special for 40 days straight after Laura. The only I shut it off was to change the oil every 40 hours. So about ten minutes of down time for every 40 hours of run rime. I did have a box fan blowing on it the whole time.
Posted by Tarps99
Lafourche Parish
Member since Apr 2017
7607 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:25 pm to
quote:

I ran my littler generac Home Depot special for 40 days straight after Laura. The only I shut it off was to change the oil every 40 hours. So about ten minutes of down time for every 40 hours of run rime. I did have a box fan blowing on it the whole time.


I am having some issues starting my Ida Generac Special.


I left some gas in it.


I can get it to turn over but it runs for a few seconds and then stops when it switch it to run.
Posted by TulaneUVA
Member since Jun 2005
25928 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:40 pm to
Check the fuel valve or fuel filter. See if it’s flowing gas. Otherwise, it’s def your carb
This post was edited on 5/19/24 at 8:41 pm
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
21970 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:41 pm to
Shut if off, change the oil, and crank it back off. I ran mine for 16 days straight after Ida.
Posted by Oilfieldbiology
Member since Nov 2016
37610 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:53 pm to
Change the oil regularly. I don’t know how often but I’ve heard every 24-36 hours of run time. Please someone far smarter and more knowledgeable correct me.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69267 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:55 pm to
I changed my oil every 36 hours. But I never turned it off to fill with gas. Or to rest.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
69267 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 8:56 pm to
Have to clean the carb. Should only be held on by two bolts. Take the float cover off and spray carb cleaner or brake cleaner in the jets. Easy to do. I have to do this every season.

Posted by DrewBoy
Member since Jun 2022
88 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 9:04 pm to
Ran mines 23 out of 24 hours a day for 3 weeks. Changed oil every other day.
Posted by 756
Member since Sep 2004
14898 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 9:04 pm to
Run synthetic oil only and change oil every 48 hours, let er rip, unless it is really hot outside, then include some cool down cycles.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
63659 posts
Posted on 5/19/24 at 9:10 pm to
quote:

I also plugged a box fan up and had it blowing on it.


For a generator, that's fricking meta.
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