BasicHumanUnit
Diamond Member
Well folks,
It's Hurricane season again and with a tropical storm bearing down on Florida and the East Coast, people are starting to think about their generators once again.
This discussion is about PORTABLE Generators. If you have a whole house Unit then you probably have a service agreement, so carry on.
But the problem with Portable Generators is that they didn't think about them all year.
So, as an experienced generator operator, with decades of experience in their servicing, I thought I'd share a few "Tried and True" ways to have that generator at the ready year round.
First, let's consider STORAGE LOCATION.
Where you store your generator makes a big difference. I store all 4 of my Generators in a climate controlled garage.
ANY electro-mechanical device stored outdoors exposed to atmospheric moisture has a cost. That cost is corrosion and moisture
affecting every metal part of the generator. Every morning the generator is at it's coolest. As the day warms, the cool metal parts attract moisture.
it gets into the crankcase, the fuel tank and carburetor where moisture can eat at the delicate aluminum parts.
But there actually IS an answer to this and I'll cover that later.
But for now, just know that storing the generator in a climate controlled environment is desirable if and when possible and can add decades to it's service life.
Now let's talk about STORAGE PREPARATIONS
Through reading and experience, I can tell you there are a few things you need to do before storing your generator.
It is important to change the oil in your generator EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T USED IT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. (An exception might be Synth oil combined with climate controlled storage)
But if you use regular motor oil, it will slowly absorb moisture from the air as it sits and degrade with time. While you might "get away" with changing it less frequently, for MAXIMUM service life, annual oil changes are suggested. NOTE: this is under storage. If you use it you will want to change oil more frequently accoding to manufacturer recommendations.
But one of the most exciting storage preps you can do is adding Stabil MARINE BLUE to your fuel !!! (Not Stabil RED)
I am not kidding. This stuff coats all internal surfaces with a microthin layer of sealant that prevents corrosion. it is truly amazing stuff so USE IT !!!
In addition, I use ONLY Ethanol Free gasoline. Ethanol gasolines absorb moisture by nature and get gummy with time.
Even if you use a fuel stabilizer, the ethanol (sugars) are a really bad match for your small engine.
If you are going to be storing it for more than 3 months, consider removing the spark plug and adding a bit of cylinder wall lubricant / protectant.
Even when a motor is sitting still air and moisture can enter the cylinder and damage it or the rings.
I can't really recommend a cover because may covers are really good at trapping moisture, exposing your generator to even more humidity.
Storage under a shelter is probably better than using a cover outdoors.
Finally, make sure to run the generator long enough to get the fuel and stabilizer into the carburetor and fuel lines.
Turn off the fuel vent (if it has one) and you should be set for storage.
One of my generators has a starter battery so I connect a battery tender to it to keep it healthy.
STORAGE
Are you going to be storing your generator for a month, 3 months, a year? it makes a difference
Sitting is actually one of the worst things you can do to a generator. it likes to be run.
Get it out routinely and start it up.
I highly recommend you have a schedule and run your generator for at least one hour every two months (if Stabil Marine Blue is added.)
Stabil MARINE BLUE is phenomenal at keeping moisture from puddling in your tank and carb. Designed for the rigors of marine Environments,
it breaks down moisture and absorbs it into the gasoline where it can be burned.
However, long term storage in humid environments can eventually overwhelm even the best fuel stabilizers.
in harsh conditions, you could drain the tank and carburetor (AFTER running it with Stabil Marine Blue)
Keep in mind, you can safely store gasoline in your generator if properly prepped even in harsh conditions for some time.
I have a pressure washer in my shed in the swampy humidity of South Florida that sits year round.
But after treatment with Stabil Marine blue, it starts easily even after 6 months.
USE
Generators prefer to be used to sitting.
As mentioned above, you'll get best service life out of your generator if you use only Ethanol FREE gasolines.
Never overload your generator. The lower the load you put on it the longer it will last.
Make sure it has room to breath and get cooling air circulation.
obviously, never, under ANY circumstances use it indoors or even in a garage with the door open. Don't do it.
CONCLUSION
Treat your generator with proper care, and it WILL be there for you when you need it !
I may have missed something so feel free to chime in.
I have quite a bit of experience with generators, idle control motors and electronics.
however, rarely do I attempt to repair a stator or rotor. Those I just replace if they test out of specs.
There are a lot of people who repair them however.
Happy generating !!
.
It's Hurricane season again and with a tropical storm bearing down on Florida and the East Coast, people are starting to think about their generators once again.
This discussion is about PORTABLE Generators. If you have a whole house Unit then you probably have a service agreement, so carry on.
But the problem with Portable Generators is that they didn't think about them all year.
So, as an experienced generator operator, with decades of experience in their servicing, I thought I'd share a few "Tried and True" ways to have that generator at the ready year round.
First, let's consider STORAGE LOCATION.
Where you store your generator makes a big difference. I store all 4 of my Generators in a climate controlled garage.
ANY electro-mechanical device stored outdoors exposed to atmospheric moisture has a cost. That cost is corrosion and moisture
affecting every metal part of the generator. Every morning the generator is at it's coolest. As the day warms, the cool metal parts attract moisture.
it gets into the crankcase, the fuel tank and carburetor where moisture can eat at the delicate aluminum parts.
But there actually IS an answer to this and I'll cover that later.
But for now, just know that storing the generator in a climate controlled environment is desirable if and when possible and can add decades to it's service life.
Now let's talk about STORAGE PREPARATIONS
Through reading and experience, I can tell you there are a few things you need to do before storing your generator.
It is important to change the oil in your generator EVEN IF YOU HAVEN'T USED IT AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. (An exception might be Synth oil combined with climate controlled storage)
But if you use regular motor oil, it will slowly absorb moisture from the air as it sits and degrade with time. While you might "get away" with changing it less frequently, for MAXIMUM service life, annual oil changes are suggested. NOTE: this is under storage. If you use it you will want to change oil more frequently accoding to manufacturer recommendations.
But one of the most exciting storage preps you can do is adding Stabil MARINE BLUE to your fuel !!! (Not Stabil RED)
I am not kidding. This stuff coats all internal surfaces with a microthin layer of sealant that prevents corrosion. it is truly amazing stuff so USE IT !!!
In addition, I use ONLY Ethanol Free gasoline. Ethanol gasolines absorb moisture by nature and get gummy with time.
Even if you use a fuel stabilizer, the ethanol (sugars) are a really bad match for your small engine.
If you are going to be storing it for more than 3 months, consider removing the spark plug and adding a bit of cylinder wall lubricant / protectant.
Even when a motor is sitting still air and moisture can enter the cylinder and damage it or the rings.
I can't really recommend a cover because may covers are really good at trapping moisture, exposing your generator to even more humidity.
Storage under a shelter is probably better than using a cover outdoors.
Finally, make sure to run the generator long enough to get the fuel and stabilizer into the carburetor and fuel lines.
Turn off the fuel vent (if it has one) and you should be set for storage.
One of my generators has a starter battery so I connect a battery tender to it to keep it healthy.
STORAGE
Are you going to be storing your generator for a month, 3 months, a year? it makes a difference
Sitting is actually one of the worst things you can do to a generator. it likes to be run.
Get it out routinely and start it up.
I highly recommend you have a schedule and run your generator for at least one hour every two months (if Stabil Marine Blue is added.)
Stabil MARINE BLUE is phenomenal at keeping moisture from puddling in your tank and carb. Designed for the rigors of marine Environments,
it breaks down moisture and absorbs it into the gasoline where it can be burned.
However, long term storage in humid environments can eventually overwhelm even the best fuel stabilizers.
in harsh conditions, you could drain the tank and carburetor (AFTER running it with Stabil Marine Blue)
Keep in mind, you can safely store gasoline in your generator if properly prepped even in harsh conditions for some time.
I have a pressure washer in my shed in the swampy humidity of South Florida that sits year round.
But after treatment with Stabil Marine blue, it starts easily even after 6 months.
USE
Generators prefer to be used to sitting.
As mentioned above, you'll get best service life out of your generator if you use only Ethanol FREE gasolines.
Never overload your generator. The lower the load you put on it the longer it will last.
Make sure it has room to breath and get cooling air circulation.
obviously, never, under ANY circumstances use it indoors or even in a garage with the door open. Don't do it.
CONCLUSION
Treat your generator with proper care, and it WILL be there for you when you need it !
I may have missed something so feel free to chime in.
I have quite a bit of experience with generators, idle control motors and electronics.
however, rarely do I attempt to repair a stator or rotor. Those I just replace if they test out of specs.
There are a lot of people who repair them however.
Happy generating !!
.