Is my generator big enough?

westend wrote:
You can overcome your ethanol issues by using a fuel additive/stabilizer. Yes, stored gasoline can be problematic but glazed cylinders or glazed rings are not a part of that. Gasoline with ethanol added doesn't destroy power equipment engines, it usually clogs the main jet so that they don't start. Higher horse power outboard engines are a different story. The modified ignition temperatures have been tested and documented to cause engine problems. I have a certification plaque for power equipment that says I'm qualified to work on small engines, not necessarily to comment on them, though, lol.

Or better, we can buy non-ethanol gasoline (if you can find it) or we could just stop turning food into fuel, use it to feed the starving millions.

Every small engine mechanic I have talked to confirms that ethanol is destructive to most small engine for one reason or another. I had brand new trash pump that I had only used once and let it sit for one month. When I tried to start it, it ran for a few minutes a quite and would not start again. It was under warranty (or so I thought) so I took it in for repair. The mechanic said that the ethanol gas had separated in the tank and had caused glazing on the cylinders. He had to replace the carburetor and the rings. The cost was $175, but the warranty (I found out) specially stated that the it did not cover engine damages as a result of using "ETHANOL LADEN GASOLINE". The mechanic told me that even fuel stabilizers ethanol gasoline will separate in as little as 2 months and that the only way to prevent damage to the motor was to run it completely dry every time I used it with ethanol gas. I followed his advice ran it dry each time I used it and the motor ran find for three years and I moved over a 20 million gallons of water with it, and then gave it to a friend who drills water wells and he is still using it today. My point here is this; yes, you hold your tongue just right and take all kinds of special precautions and you can prevent ethanol gas from destroying your engine, but the majority of people do not (nor should they have to) and it is causing huge amount of unneeded waste. That, and it is just plain stupidity to turn food into fuel in a world where there are millions of people that are starving for lack of food. But that is another subject.