Generators; How Level is Level?

[Rmack1]

I was running my Yamaha EF2000iS and I noticed from the side that it didn't seem perfectly level. The manual just says 'level'.

It's hard to get it perfect on the rocky ground I'm camping around. How level is level?

I put my small level on it, and sure enough, about half the bubble was out of the line. What's that, a couple of degrees maybe?

Is this close enough, or should I use shims or something to get it perfect?

[azrving]

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 🙂

[Ron3rd]

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.

[wa8yxm]

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.

[valhalla360]

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.

[RJsfishin]

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 !! 🙂

[Trackrig]

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

[DrewE]

A generator engine is not inherently different from any other small engine. A few degrees off kilter certainly won't cause any problems. If it's level enough for a log splitter or pressure washer or lawn mower or whatever, the generator should also be all right. (Of course, if the ground slopes enough that the generator constantly wanders off due to its own vibration, you kind of need to do something about that.)

Leveling mainly is a concern to keep the oil in the right parts of the crankcase and, to a lesser extent, to keep the carburetor bowl filled to the proper level. There's nothing that would cause cumulative damage over time from small amounts of being out of level. Lack of lubrication, from being quite tilted, would of course cause rather rapid engine damage. The electrical parts of the generator will work at basically any orientation whatsoever.

[Bob_Olallawa]

I have been running a Yamaha for years with out a level. Only one time has it shut down because it was way off from level. After I finished digging the high side enough to get the trailer mostly level I dug out a flatter spot for the generator. Hunting camps are not level and paved, and with electric hook ups so lots of run time.

[Bob_Olallawa]

double post, sorry

[Rmack1]

weasel4 wrote:
My nephew has an ocean boat with the Yamaha, it's anything but level,works fine
Btc

Hmm, that's very interesting, but it makes me wonder if it's something like RV refrigerators. They will get damaged if they run out of level (whatever that is) for too long, but going down the road, the constant swaying prevents that.

[Rmack1]

ScottG wrote:
If the gen will run, it's level enough (it has nothing to do with how comfortable it is for you ;)). The problem arises when it's so far out of level that the low oil sensor is tripped.

Wow, so you're saying it's idiot proof? It won't start if it's too out of level? That's great, because I've proven myself to be a pretty big idiot a couple of time RVing.

[Rmack1]

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.

[weasel4]

My nephew has an ocean boat with the Yamaha, it's anything but level,works fine
Btc

[ScottG]

If the gen will run, it's level enough (it has nothing to do with how comfortable it is for you ;)). The problem arises when it's so far out of level that the low oil sensor is tripped.