Generator Fuel Question

Skibane wrote:
Gasoline quality is a consideration.

Ethanol in gasoline reduces its energy content, and thus the generator's power output. Generator manufacturers test and rate their products using ethanol-free gas, so this power reduction isn't reflected in their specifications.

The upshot is that a generator with marginal power output using ethanol-free gas will have even more marginal output using gas with ethanol in it.

The maximum amount of ethanol allowed in gasoline was recently increased to 15 percent - so this is going to be more of an issue than it previously was.

Since ethanol tends to shorten the storage life of gasoline, many folks avoid using it in generators. Unfortunately, in areas where ethanol-free gas is available, it usually costs quite a bit more. That extra expense needs to be included when comparing fuel costs.

Nope.

I have bunches of small engine manuals that says other wise..

Here is page from my Echo CS-490 chain saw for example..


Click For Full-Size Image.

Note the sections I penciled in red.

Most small engine manufacturers simply warn to not use E15 (15% Ethanol) or E85 (85% Ethanol

Ethanol laced fuel is not new, has been done quietly for many yrs well before I was born. I remember one big open attempt to switch everyone over to E10 in the 1970s, it was called "Gasohol" and was a 100% dismal failure.

I suggest you take a history lesson from HERE which points out that Ethanol has been considered and used for engine fuel since the 1800s..

"In 1826, Samuel Morey invented the first internal combustion engine that was built to run on alcohol — probably made from grain. Later, Henry Ford championed alcohol fuels made from grain, potatoes or cellulose. In the 1880s, he designed one of the earliest automobiles to burn alcohol."

Henry Ford ALSO experimented with Ethanol as any farmer could technically make their own Ethanol from crops..

Any engine built in the last 15 yrs are specifically designed to operate on E10 gas. They had to, the manufacturers had zero choice in this if they wished to sell anything with an engine in the state of California with their fuel and emissions restrictions.

Will a engine perform better with non Ethanol laced gas? Maybe, but it also may not since there are slight variables in the fuel and small engines have absolutely no computer to recalibrate fuel delivery and spark advance.

Sure, straight gasoline has some merit, however, the Ethanol in the fuel delivers additional Oxygen (Oxygenate) which replaced the use of MTBEs and Leaded Gas.

Modern engines are tuned in fuel delivery and even the timing for use with unleaded E10 (10% ETHANOL) fuels.

If there is any question about what fuel can be used in your engine, consult the owners manual.

As far as storage, DRAIN THE CARB.

No fuel left in the carb means much less chances of Ethanol causing a clogged jet.

For small engines like my Chainsaws and weed cutter, I run till empty or dump out any leftover fuel if not going to be used for more than a month.

Generators, well I turn off the fuel valve at the tank and drain the carb..

Been doing this for 30 yrs now and now issues.