Generator Hunting Under Load

mci7 wrote:
Turbojimmy,
What I was attempting to say was the higher octane provides much longer time before goes bad. On avgas at the 100LL does infact last way over a year in a airplane fuel tank. Why I started using the good stuff in my gasoline engines, like the lawn mower can sit all winter and start & run in the spring like it was just shut down. Can not address why your 454 runs hotter on the better fuel, maybe timing is an issue?
I have converted all in my area using Speeders (rail car) guys to use the better gasoline for the small engines to operate so much better, better idle, start and overall operation. No more gummed up carbs from old gasoline etc.
I have spent 40 years enjoying small engines, how I got into the Onan generator world 40+ yrs ago.
Dave M

Ah - that makes sense.

The higher octane fuel burns hotter, from what I understand. I haven't actually had any overheating issues with the 454. I've only been out on one 300-mile trip with it since I put the new engine in it. After doing a lot of reading I'm super paranoid about engine temp. The maiden voyage was in 85-90 degree weather and it stayed cool for the most part. It did get pretty hot the last 2 miles of my trip coming up a ridiculously steep and long hill at around 45 MPH. I don't have the obstruction of an a/c condenser so I think that helps a lot. Temps were steady the whole trip otherwise.

Anyhow - the generator. I'll have to check the manual for adjustment instructions. The rig sat in a tow yard for at least 6 years before I got it. Obviously I'm running fresh fuel now (I pumped all the old stuff out) but the carb could be gummed up. It fired right up after that long nap, but had a bad plug. I replaced both plugs and it's been running fine ever since. I only recently tried running it with both ACs, though, and that's when the trouble began.