Generators; How Level is Level?

I never heard of a level concern on a generator, or any other internal combustion engine. I'm sure glad my MH or car doesn't have a level warning on it, cuz I wouldn't be able to launch my boat !! :)

I believe the Yamaha engine has an oil pump (as opposed to splash lubrication like in cheap push lawnmower engines). As long as the pickup is getting oil, there should be no negative effects from being out of level.

The problem comes in when you tilt it so far that the oil drains away from the pickup...you have no lubrication and the engine quickly burns up.

While it's best to try and keep it somewhat level, as long as the oil sensor isn't going off, it should be fine.

If you have to look to see if it is level,, it's level.

If it were un-level enogh to matter, it might roll down the hill on you.

The actual point is somewhere in between that,, but if you have to look, it's close enough.

Even RV Fridges (which need to be fairly close to level, far closer than that generator) are forgiving enough that you'd know without looking.

Though in the case of the fridge, a bubble level is best.

I never precisely level my Honda EU2000 but I do get it reasonably or "fairly" level when I place it on the ground but have run it on a slight angle many times. Never a problem and I don't think the generator cares.

Trackrig wrote:

Rmack1 wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
If you can comfortably stand on the ground, it's level enough for the generator.

Bill

Thanks for that, Bill, but being a backpacker, hiker, (not to mention rock climber), I'm pretty comfortable on some quite un-level ground. Could you be more specific? I might notice it if I had to lock one knee and unlock the other to stay upright, but that would probably put a generator sitting on that ground several degrees out of level.

I'm guessing this is an issue of when the lubricating system can't cycle, or the carburetor can't dispense fuel efficiently that would limit it's off-level capabilities. It needs someone with knowledge of the internal design to really know the limits.

OK, let's try this. If you put your camp chair sideways on the slope and could set in it for a long time without a lot of bother, then the slope isn't going to bother the generator.

I own a Coleman 1750, 3 Honda 2000s, a Champion 4000, a Briggs & Stratton 6000, a Kohler that's so old I don't know what size it is, and an Onan 7500 - the only thing I worry about is if they're level enough to refuel.

Bill

When I was working we would joke about the number of engine cylinders that a guy owned being a measurement of a guy. You couldn't include dead engine cylinders, they had to be running engines but any type of engine counted.
I think you may have just created another measuring scale....WATTS. After guessing that your Kohler was probably 4000 or more you will probably hold the title for a while with 29,250 watts. Congratulations. :)

I'm still in beginner territory with only 8,500
Generac 5,500 and a Honda 3,000 :)