Generator Question

[Kanewpadle]

The good Chief's generator thread got me thinking. I didn't have a generator. But I do now.

It was recommended to only use ethanol free gas. But I saw that some of the additives for gas such as Stabil protect against ethanol damage.

Anyone know if this stuff works? Or should I just stick to ethanol free gas?

 

[wood714]

I had the same gas in mine for 8 years with a couple bottles of Stabil mixed in. It always started by the second pull.

I use Sea Foam in everything now.

 

[soFlaNative]

Ethanol in gasoline bonds to water molecules and separates into layers (phase separation). The only product I've found that prevents such happening is K-100. My experience with the product was brief for once ethanol free gas became readily available in my area I've used it in my small engines exclusively. Barring natural disaster 10 gallons will last me a year treated with Stabil with no issues.

 

[Mercury]

When I had a generator, I couldn't get ethanol-free gas and I didn't know if Stabil really worked.

After each use, I would siphon out the tank and then run it until it used up the gas in the carburetor. It always started on the first pull when I went to use it next time.

If the ethanol-free gas is available, I would feel most comfortable using it and also following my shut down method above. Even regular gasoline will turn to varnish if left too long.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

After I use mine. I turn the gas off and run it till it starves out. It starts easy the next time I need it.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I use Sea Foam in my snow blower and mow lower and generator.

 

[mike4sigs]

i went to use my Chainsaw a cpl years back and i pushed the priming bulb and it was like bubble gum i now use ethanol free in my 2 stroke motors and plan it in my 4 stroke mowers since it has become easier to come by

 

[Tom S.]

I thought new equipment was designed to run on ethanol gas?

As to the generator question, the key is how often will it run? Mine can literally go years between runs because I only hook it up for long outages. After each use, I run it until it sputters and dies. Depending on how long it ran, I may also change the oil. Then I park it back in the shed until the next time. It's close to 30 years old but still looks and runs like new.

As a side note, I install whole house generators but don't own one. I can count the number of times we lost power for more than one day on the fingers of one hand. That's over a 44 year period. My portable cost me something like $350. It's only 5,000 watts, but that's enough to keep the lights, refrigerator and furnace going. Don't get me wrong, whole house generators are great if you live in a place that loses power often, such as hurricane areas or you have extra cash lying around and don't really want that registered magnum.

 

[NYlakesider]

As a long time gear head that has stored countless vechicles and equipment over the years, if available I will only use none ethanol gas. Also use a good stabilizer in stored gas.

This ethanol gas was basically forced on us just like the electric car is. Given a choice I will go with the best product! Yes none E gas cost more but living rural when I want something to start it has to start.

 

[gjgalligan]

I use to use stabil but the spring that my Harley had "cottage chesse" in the gas tank cured me.
I have a whole house Generac 22kw that runs off my propane tank as I need it for summertime outages to run central AC. My wife has asthma and has trouble breathing in hot humid weather. I also have a small gasoline for backup. In the cooler weather it can sustain us if the Generac dies or if I want to shut it down in a long term situation. It as a gas shutoff so I can run the carb dry for shutdown. If I have to leave Egas in it I pour some Sea Foam in it before shutdown.
I have switched over to pure gas for all my 2cyl lawn tools.

 

[Denverd0n]

I thought new equipment was designed to run on ethanol gas?

It is. Older engines, no. Anything made in the last 10 years or so, though, will have no problem what so ever with 15% ethanol gasoline.

 

[cololab]

My generator manual recommends non-ethanol gas, so that's what I use along with Stabil in my stored gas. As others above have mentioned, proper shut down and storage will save you many headaches.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I have run non ethanol in all my lawn care gear, and quite often in my truck. For the lawn care, I keep about 20 gal in rotation and treat it with Stabil when I buy it. When I mix up the two-smoke can, I add a TBL spoon of sea foam. That has worked well for close to 20 years with Stihl gear and the ubiquitous B&S and Kawasaki 4 strokes.

Probably just grumpy old man process.

 

[WardenRoss]

FWIW...

I bought a new zero turn mower in 2006 with a Kohler carbureted motor. I've only put non-ethanol fuel in her since day-one. I do add Lucas fuel additive at each fill-up (recommended by a BMW Master Mechanic friend).

I've never drained the fuel in the off season. Durning the winter, I do start and run it about every two-weeks.

I cut my yard, sometimes a neighbor's yard and our rental property.

Eighteen seasons and absolutely never a problem. She still runs like new.

,

 

[cherrypointmarine]

If you haven't started it yet , DON'T . I had one that sat for 9 years until we needed it . I put the oil in and gas and it started right up . A good fuel additive and what Mike , SC Hunter said . When you're done with it shut off the fuel and let it run until it stops . Now you know there's no gas in the system .

My new one is dual fuel , gas or propane . I have 2 100gal tanks which is good for a couple of days . Plus I don't have to worry about the gas issues . But on propane you don't get as many peak watts .

 

[SMSgt]

For small engines, use non-ethanol fuel, never store them with fuel in the tank, always run/drain the carb dry. Any stored gas goes bad over time, ethanol fuel much faster. Fuel stabilizer should be used. I also add some Marvel Mystery oil to the mix. "Premix" fuels are not good for engines.

Before each hurricane season starts, I pull my generator out, put about a Qt of gas in it, and run it until it dies. While it's running, I make sure it's producing power--the only reason for its existence. After 20 years of storage and rare use, it still cranks on 1-2 pulls. After the season is over, the gas goes into the vehicles.

 

[WR Moore]

If your generator rests in a basement, heated garage or something similar, letting it sit until needed might work. However, if you, like me, have your generator stored in an unheated outbuilding, running it under 1/3-1/2 load once in awhile is a good idea. It cooks any moisture out of the generator coils & stator.

Which reminds me, after I get through with the current project, gotta do that.

 

[wood714]

I thought new equipment was designed to run on ethanol gas?

As to the generator question, the key is how often will it run? Mine can literally go years between runs because I only hook it up for long outages. After each use, I run it until it sputters and dies. Depending on how long it ran, I may also change the oil. Then I park it back in the shed until the next time. It's close to 30 years old but still looks and runs like new.

As a side note, I install whole house generators but don't own one. I can count the number of times we lost power for more than one day on the fingers of one hand. That's over a 44 year period. My portable cost me something like $350. It's only 5,000 watts, but that's enough to keep the lights, refrigerator and furnace going. Don't get me wrong, whole house generators are great if you live in a place that loses power often, such as hurricane areas or you have extra cash lying around and don't really want that registered magnum.

I asked the sales dude about what gas to use when I bought my new mower last week. He said regular was fine. When I got the manual it said the same. It holds 2 gallons, and I'll add a couple ounces of Sea Foam to each tank.

As far as generators, had mine since 2006 and when I used it for 2 hours last Thursday it was the first time I needed it.

If I did need a generator a lot I'd get a larger portable one over a stand alone whole house sitting on a pad next to my house. I heard those things ain't cheap to run too.

 

[Rule3]

I use stabil in regular gas for generator and lawn mower. I drain it out of gen when not in use,


I use ethanol free in 2 cycle engines,like string trimmer, chain saw

 

[NYlakesider]

I asked the sales dude about what gas to use when I bought my new mower last week. He said regular was fine. When I got the manual it said the same. It holds 2 gallons, and I'll add a couple ounces of Sea Foam to each tank.

As far as generators, had mine since 2006 and when I used it for 2 hours last Thursday it was the first time I needed it.

If I did need a generator a lot I'd get a larger portable one over a stand alone whole house sitting on a pad next to my house. I heard those things ain't cheap to run too.

At -20F, to rural people approaching 80YO I want the one on the pad.

Every person I would think has their definition of cheap. It all depends on your life's experience and expectations.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One of the problems with 10% ethanal gas is long term storage in the metal gas tank rusts. I got rid of a 5KW Coleman (ran 4 hrs. on a 4-Qt tank) for a 4kW Coleman (runs way more than 24 hrs. on a 5-Gal Plastic tank.) because the rust would build up and clog the carb.

I now also have a battery pack type "Generator" that will run a C-Pap for two nights without a recharge. (bought at Harbor Fright and no solar panels)

Ivan

 

[Oldengineer]

A couple of issues here. Ethanol is corrosive. If the hardware it comes in contact with hasn't been properly considered for this, a chemical reaction will occur. I'm thinking about aluminum and some rubber components. Way back in the late 70's when we were still using carburetors, nickel plating was considered! I'm with Tom S., manufacturing today should recognize this and design around the effects of the corrosive nature.

Gasoline "sours" —- especially in the presence of yellow metal (brass/bronze). Refiners know this and don't allow it anywhere in their process. As a general rule, Stabil precludes this slimey souring and greatly increases the shelf life. I have no idea what chemicals are in Sea Foam. It's been over 50 years since I studied organic chemistry so my thoughts are obviously obsolete!

Tom H.

 

[Tom S.]

I asked the sales dude about what gas to use when I bought my new mower last week. He said regular was fine. When I got the manual it said the same. It holds 2 gallons, and I'll add a couple ounces of Sea Foam to each tank.

As far as generators, had mine since 2006 and when I used it for 2 hours last Thursday it was the first time I needed it.

If I did need a generator a lot I'd get a larger portable one over a stand alone whole house sitting on a pad next to my house. I heard those things ain't cheap to run too.

Whole house units can run on natural gas or propane, making them flexible. Propane is more expensive, but if you compare the cost of running one on natural gas for a few days compared to running one on gasoline for the same period, the natural gas will win, hands down and is much more easier because it doesn't need to be refilled periodically. I'm not sure how a diesel unit would compare. However as you pointed out, the initial cost difference is significant. A whole house unit rated at 24k installed will run around $12k vs an smaller portable that will cost around $800. Even if you have an plug and shut off added to prevent electrical feed back, you are probably looking at under $1400 total. Additionally, a whole house unit will run once a week, which isn't free, and requires maintenance. A portable can be drained, oil changed with a bit squirted into the cylinder for lubrication, and stored for years without any additional cost.

The worst generator story I ever heard was from a doctor I knew who had a whole house and barn unit (36K, IIRC) that used a small block Chevrolet engine powered by natural gas. A short period of time after the warranty expired, it wouldn't start for the scheduled weekly run cycle. Long story short, they found the crankshaft had broken in two on the engine. The company at first denied covering the cost of repair but after a lengthy argument, a settlement was reached in which I believe the parts were covered but not the labor.

 

[Greyman50]

Have stored ethanol gas with double stabil for over 2 years in plastic cans. Used it in riding mower. Now I just pour stored gas in the car every year or so with no problems. Am giving up on plastic gas cans as just about every one gets a leak in the bottom seam. Had several stored and when checking found 3 cans were half full due to leaks. The metal GI type cans should be good to go if I can find some fuel tank sealer.

 

[Abbynormal]

I use racing fuel and or AV gas in my small gas motors since they have no alcohol. Run the carb dry and get the race gas or AV gas with Stabil added. Friends us this with bikes, 4 wheelers and sno mo's They all start easily when needed.

 

[wood714]

At -20F, to rural people approaching 80YO I want the one on the pad.

Every person I would think has their definition of cheap. It all depends on your life's experience and expectations.

I keep forgetting about cold weather power outages, and being older. It wasn't fun getting mine out of the shed and rolling it around the front of the house, and I'm far from 80. Was even more less fun dragging it up my shed ramp when I was finished with it.

Up north in tundra weather where power goes out a lot, I would for sure want a whole house powered by natural gas. Never have to fill it up!

 

[Golddollar]

I keep forgetting about cold weather power outages, and being older. It wasn't fun getting mine out of the shed and rolling it around the front of the house, and I'm far from 80. Was even more less fun dragging it up my shed ramp when I was finished with it.

Up north in tundra weather where power goes out a lot, I would for sure want a whole house powered by natural gas. Never have to fill it up!

With increasing age and decreptitude this is the way to go.

 

[SMSgt]

I asked the sales dude about what gas to use when I bought my new mower last week. He said regular was fine. When I got the manual it said the same. It holds 2 gallons, and I'll add a couple ounces of Sea Foam to each tank.

As far as generators, had mine since 2006 and when I used it for 2 hours last Thursday it was the first time I needed it.

If I did need a generator a lot I'd get a larger portable one over a stand alone whole house sitting on a pad next to my house. I heard those things ain't cheap to run too.

Yes, the engines will run fine on ethanol fuel, but the problem is what that fuel does when the engine is not running. I watch a YT guy who specializes in fixing generators, and invariably he has to clean the carbs because of what bad fuel and water has done to them

 

[tops]

This past week we got an estimate for a propane 24K for $16,353. We are going to get another estimate this week but we think there won't be much difference in the price. Our power has not been off in years until Helene and it was off for 30 hours and we used our portable gasoline gen. On the chance the power may go off again in our lifetime we might go ahead and get the whole house deal. That's a lot of money but the portable gen. is a lot of trouble for two old people and we are getting more feeble every day. Larry

 

[Greyman50]

FWIW and not a advertisement but the " horrible freight" generators seem to be just fine for the Occasional power outage. Have 3 generators, a 5K contractors job site generator that has fuel shut off at gas tank. Heavy even with casters and Very Loud. A light weight Honda 2.2K thats fine for small apartment. Just about anyone can start the Honda and has a fuel shut off. Bought a " horrible freight 3K on sale and used it during Helene to power the apartment and land lords house. Ran 3 freezers, 2 refrigerators, some lights and a small window AC unit. Oil change every 60 hours is no big deal. Has started with electric start or 1-2 pulls after sitting for 6 months.