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Message
Generator questions
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:38 am
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:38 am
I’m going to skip a bunch of details and just get to the facts and questions.
Facts:
1. I have a brand new, still in the sealed box, Generac 6500.
2. I live in a neighborhood that almost never loses power. If we lose it, the whole area is effed (as in recent events).
Questions:
1. Would you keep generator in brand new unopened condition until you need it? Or would you open it, assemble, run, and stow it until the next use which may be 10 years away.
2. Is it super important to run ethanol free gas in these new generators?
3. Recommended oil is 5w30. I have tons of 10w30 synthetic. Will that be good enough for relatively little use?
4. If the recommendation is to assemble and run, what do I need to do to stow and maintain this generator until it’s next use?
Facts:
1. I have a brand new, still in the sealed box, Generac 6500.
2. I live in a neighborhood that almost never loses power. If we lose it, the whole area is effed (as in recent events).
Questions:
1. Would you keep generator in brand new unopened condition until you need it? Or would you open it, assemble, run, and stow it until the next use which may be 10 years away.
2. Is it super important to run ethanol free gas in these new generators?
3. Recommended oil is 5w30. I have tons of 10w30 synthetic. Will that be good enough for relatively little use?
4. If the recommendation is to assemble and run, what do I need to do to stow and maintain this generator until it’s next use?
8
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:42 am to Jibbajabba
Open box and inspect to make sure everything is in it. Close up box and put it away.
No, E10 or E15 is fine. Just not a fan of them.
Will be fine to use.
quote:
2. Is it super important to run ethanol free gas in these new generators?
No, E10 or E15 is fine. Just not a fan of them.
quote:
3. Recommended oil is 5w30. I have tons of 10w30 synthetic. Will that be good enough for relatively little use?
Will be fine to use.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:53 am to Jibbajabba
1. Would you keep generator in brand new unopened condition until you need it? Or would you open it, assemble, run, and stow it until the next use which may be 10 years away.
Open, assemble, break-in run, change oil, stow away
2. Is it super important to run ethanol free gas in these new generators?
No, but i try to. At least run fuel out of carb when putting away.
3. Recommended oil is 5w30. I have tons of 10w30 synthetic. Will that be good enough for relatively little use?
10w30 is good
4. If the recommendation is to assemble and run, what do I need to do to stow and maintain this generator until it’s next use?
change oil, cut gas from tank to carb or run tank dry, stow away indoors.
Open, assemble, break-in run, change oil, stow away
2. Is it super important to run ethanol free gas in these new generators?
No, but i try to. At least run fuel out of carb when putting away.
3. Recommended oil is 5w30. I have tons of 10w30 synthetic. Will that be good enough for relatively little use?
10w30 is good
4. If the recommendation is to assemble and run, what do I need to do to stow and maintain this generator until it’s next use?
change oil, cut gas from tank to carb or run tank dry, stow away indoors.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 11:49 am to Jibbajabba
I would put probably put it away and not run it. If you decide to run it, and you are going to let it sit until needed, then run it dry and drain the tank. Afterwards, pull the spark plug and pour a little oil in the cylinder. Then put a rag over the plug hole and give it a few easy pulls. That will coat the cylinder walls so they don't rust up over time. Otherwise you should run it every 3 to 4 months to keep it in good running condition.
I also would not recommend putting ethanol fuel in it until I was ready to use it. Buy a small can of ethanol free fuel at lowes or home depot and use that for test runs. Ethanol won't hurt the engine, but fuel hoses don't like it. A friend of mine found that out when he found like bits of rubber in his carb after he let some ethanol sit in his generator.
I also would not recommend putting ethanol fuel in it until I was ready to use it. Buy a small can of ethanol free fuel at lowes or home depot and use that for test runs. Ethanol won't hurt the engine, but fuel hoses don't like it. A friend of mine found that out when he found like bits of rubber in his carb after he let some ethanol sit in his generator.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 12:08 pm to fishfighter
Agree with fish fighter, wouldn’t run, try to fine non -ethanol and oil is good. Make sure and change on schedule.
Also highly suggest you get a manual transfer switch, pretty cheap and easy to install. Allows safe use of home wiring for 6 or 10 key circuits. Hardest part is figuring out which ones you’d need (fridge, lights, riling fans, etc). Running extension cords all over house is just a PITA.
Also highly suggest you get a manual transfer switch, pretty cheap and easy to install. Allows safe use of home wiring for 6 or 10 key circuits. Hardest part is figuring out which ones you’d need (fridge, lights, riling fans, etc). Running extension cords all over house is just a PITA.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 2:04 pm to Jibbajabba
1. I’d run it and then drain everything but keeping it boxed up isn’t a huge risk.
2. I wouldn’t use ethanol if I were packing it up long term. For normal running it’s fine, I used about 100 gallons after Michael. Just don’t leave it in there.
3. It won’t know the difference.
4. Drain oil and gas. Pull the plug and add a couple of teaspoons of oil into the cylinder and pull the starter cord a couple of times to coat everything evenly. I tag mine when it’s got no oil in it. You may forget or you may not be the one starting it 5 years from now.
Bonus tip: I use Seafoam in everything that gets run intermittently, especially 2-stroke stufff. It’s well worth it.
2. I wouldn’t use ethanol if I were packing it up long term. For normal running it’s fine, I used about 100 gallons after Michael. Just don’t leave it in there.
3. It won’t know the difference.
4. Drain oil and gas. Pull the plug and add a couple of teaspoons of oil into the cylinder and pull the starter cord a couple of times to coat everything evenly. I tag mine when it’s got no oil in it. You may forget or you may not be the one starting it 5 years from now.
Bonus tip: I use Seafoam in everything that gets run intermittently, especially 2-stroke stufff. It’s well worth it.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 2:24 pm to Jibbajabba
Like others have said, I would open box, assemble and run it for a while first just to make sure there are no defects. You don’t want to need it and find out a part was left out or it’s defective.
After I would cut off the fuel and run till it dies, change oil, fill up tank and add some stabilizer then store it.
After I would cut off the fuel and run till it dies, change oil, fill up tank and add some stabilizer then store it.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 5:15 pm to Jibbajabba
I’m in the same boat, bought a generator 5 years ago and it has sat brand new in the box unopened.
Maybe I’ll fire it up this weekend and report back with results.
Maybe I’ll fire it up this weekend and report back with results.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 5:59 pm to Jibbajabba
I run mine monthly/bimonthly depending on if I remember, with a load! I wouldn't want an untested generator when it came down to not having power for a week or two.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 6:10 pm to armsdealer
I drain the carb bowl after the fuel runs out also.
Posted on 9/11/20 at 9:27 pm to Jibbajabba
Run it to make sure it runs and be sure to put a load on it.
Run it past break in time probably only a few hours.
Change the oil and top off the tank with non ethanol gas with a stabilizer in it.
Then run it for a few minutes to get that in the carburetor. Turn off fuel and let the carb run dry.
I like to keep my tank full to keep moisture out.
Run it past break in time probably only a few hours.
Change the oil and top off the tank with non ethanol gas with a stabilizer in it.
Then run it for a few minutes to get that in the carburetor. Turn off fuel and let the carb run dry.
I like to keep my tank full to keep moisture out.
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