Exercise my generator?

[Passme]

Hi to all, I'm curious about this "exercising" a generator. Do I full load it once/month minimum and for how long? Concern here is it has been in storage all winter, never run so what is best coarse of action going into busy camping season? Enjoy your day!

[Sam_Spade]

atreis wrote:

One can't always predict how long the storage period will be.

The way his statement was worded it indicated that he does that even when he KNOWS that it will go unused for only a week.

But then, it should not be necessary to drain the carb for a 3 month period either. And if it actually does run longer than that, you can drain it THEN with pretty much the exact same affect.

[atreis]

Sam Spade wrote:

River-Runner wrote:
Now run the carb dry every time I get ready to store (a week or 3 months)

It seems like no matter what the subject that somebody will take a good thing and carry it to an extreme.

It is NOT NECESSARY to do anything special when an internal combustion engine will sit unused for a week. NOTHING.

But if it makes you feel good to do that I guess the time is not completely wasted. 😉

One can't always predict how long the storage period will be.

[Sam_Spade]

River-Runner wrote:
Now run the carb dry every time I get ready to store (a week or 3 months)

It seems like no matter what the subject that somebody will take a good thing and carry it to an extreme.

It is NOT NECESSARY to do anything special when an internal combustion engine will sit unused for a week. NOTHING.

But if it makes you feel good to do that I guess the time is not completely wasted. 😉

[PatrickA51]

River-Runner wrote:

PatrickA51 wrote:
I would say almost 18 months. I had it serviced because we were having problems with it surging. I then would go over every 30 to 45 days. Then I got sick and we have some what neglected it since, But we are trying to get it to start so we can exercise it the last time we did it it rip the breaker switch on the generator . Now it won't start even after resetting the generator brake switch and or priming the generator at the generator.

I too have a Onan 4000 on my toy hauler. Had the same issue with surging. Installed a fuel shut off valve just before the carb. Now run the carb dry every time I get ready to store (a week or 3 months) and I never have surging issues when I start it up. Just purrs and cost $15 USD for parts.

I understand Onan now just replaces the carb if gummed up, don't even attempt to clean it.

My riding buddies with other brands have now installed the cut-off and report the same good experiences.

One place I took it for repair, said that in California it was against state law (thanks to Gov. Moonbeam & Carb) so I don't know I called Onan and asked for a rebuild kit and they said that they were not allowed to sell them in Taxifornia aka California. Anyway I have got to know the man that runs the Authorized Onan Repair shop here so I kinda trust his word.
He told me what to do to see if it will start so, I guess I will try his suggestion.
Thanks for the idea about the fuel shut off switch.

[falconbrother]

I had the motorhome for 7 years and ran the generator every two weeks for 20 minutes. It saved me a lot of trouble to keep it in good repair. When I needed it it was always ready to go.

[River-Runner]

PatrickA51 wrote:
I would say almost 18 months. I had it serviced because we were having problems with it surging. I then would go over every 30 to 45 days. Then I got sick and we have some what neglected it since, But we are trying to get it to start so we can exercise it the last time we did it it rip the breaker switch on the generator . Now it won't start even after resetting the generator brake switch and or priming the generator at the generator.

I too have a Onan 4000 on my toy hauler. Had the same issue with surging. Installed a fuel shut off valve just before the carb. Now run the carb dry every time I get ready to store (a week or 3 months) and I never have surging issues when I start it up. Just purrs and cost $15 USD for parts.

I understand Onan now just replaces the carb if gummed up, don't even attempt to clean it.

My riding buddies with other brands have now installed the cut-off and report the same good experiences.

[Sam_Spade]

Vintage465 wrote:
I only plan on using it for emergencies.....not to run the micro wave or hair dryer.

That isn't enough to use up much fuel so you also should put an appropriate amount of stabilizer in the fuel (if it has it's own tank).

AND.....if this gen is in your RV and you DO use it for the micro-wave and hair dryer, that should mean that you waste less gas just making dry runs.

In the summertime when mine gets used every couple of weeks, I don't need ANY "exercise" runs.

[Vintage465]

Well, I'm kinda new at exercising my generator(which is also new). Right now I'm trying to discipline myself to fire it up once a month or every other month, run it for 5-10 minutes then shut the gas off and run the carby dry-ish. I suppose we will see if this works out. I only plan on using it for emergencies.....not to run the micro wave or hair dryer.

[Tvov]

Anything with a gas engine I think will sit for over a month I add stabil, run it to get the stabil through all the lines, then shut off the fuel valve and let the motor run until the carb empties. Then I drain the fuel out of the fuel tank and use it in another engine.

Usually for restart, I just add gas and go. Sometimes gunk might clog things up, if I am lucky just running it will clean it out, otherwise I have to take things apart and spray everything in and out with carb cleaner.

Our house generator (9,000w), I usually start and run it for 20 or so minutes every fall and spring, and/or right before a big storm. It has run fine, and generated electricity just fine, for years. I drain the carb and the fuel tank after running it with stabil before I tuck it back into the shed for long term storage.

Another generator I have is a 4,000w B&S "contractor" type generator that I got for free from a customer who had bought it for Hurricane Gloria (1985), ran it for a day or so, and then put it in his basement after draining the gas. I got it a year before Hurricane Irene, which happened in 2011. After sitting for 26 years untouched, I changed the oil and that generator powered my frig, freezer, water pump, and lights for 7 days without a hiccup. So I really don't know about this "exercising" of generators so the electrical parts keep working - I had no issues for an entire week.

But definitely be aware of old gas!

[atreis]

IME, run the carb dry and there's no need to exercise. The same is true for chainsaws, mowers, snow blowers, etc....

I did have a new generator run poorly due to a partial clog at the fuel hose inlet in the gas tank (metal shavings - guessing it was debris left over from improper cleaning during manufacturing). That was a fun weekend of troubleshooting.

[Fireballsocal]

My first thought is the carburetor is plugged. It's cheaper to buy a new one than to clean/rebuild the old one at a service center or dealer. If you are doing the work yourself, you might try cleaning the carburetor if you feel comfortable taking it completely apart. There are also other items in the fuel system that can get plugged up. But since you mention the breaker getting damaged, I'd make sure there is spark first before messing with the fuel system.

[PatrickA51]

I would say almost 18 months. I had it serviced because we were having problems with it surging. I then would go over every 30 to 45 days. Then I got sick and we have some what neglected it since, But we are trying to get it to start so we can exercise it the last time we did it it rip the breaker switch on the generator . Now it won't start even after resetting the generator brake switch and or priming the generator at the generator.

[Fireballsocal]

How long has it been sitting PatrickA51?

[PatrickA51]

Interesting thread. My Onan 4000 MicroQuiet will turn over but won't catch ? I put 2 cans of SeaFoam in the tank of gas when we parked it. Tried priming the Generator last week still won't start. Fuel gauge indicated 1/2 full Gasoline tank. I think I am going to add another 10 gals. of gasoline.