does stored generator need runtime on engine or components?

[sam]

have a couple years old honda inverter (6.5 kW) generator and the fuel system has a
drain valve so last time when it was used to test out all connections in a total
blackout condition, ran sta-bil mixed with some premium fuel last month, drained the
fuel and closed valve

the sediment cup is clean and dry, all fuel lines are empty

changed oil and placed it into storage, non-airconditioned space

should the generator be occasionally run with some fresh fuel and if so, what type of
runtime (15 min, 30 min) ?

installed a new battery last month and charge it once a month (agm gel type)

total runtime on meter is 1 hour.

the generator is for emergency backup but as with everything, it surely deteriorates
after some amount of years but would like to keep it in best possible condition if
such is possible.

 

[vaughn]

have a couple years old honda inverter (6.5 kW) generator and the fuel
system has a
drain valve so last time when it was used to test out all connections in a
total
blackout condition, ran sta-bil mixed with some premium fuel last month,
drained the
fuel and closed valve

the sediment cup is clean and dry, all fuel lines are empty

changed oil and placed it into storage, non-airconditioned space

should the generator be occasionally run with some fresh fuel and if so,
what type of
runtime (15 min, 30 min) ?

Different folks will have different opinions about this, but nobody knows
more that the folkw who made your generator. Read the manual! You will
find short-term and long-term storage instructions. Follow them! If you
lost your manual, they are all on the Honda site.

Myself, I "pickle" my Honda EU-2000 as per the manual and consider that one
run every two years is plenty. When I drag it out for its run, I usually
put about a half-tank of gas through it with a moderate load (a 2 or 3 hour
run). Then I carefully drain the entire fuel system, change the oil, and
put a bit of oil in the sparkplug hole as per the manual. I have never had
an issue.

installed a new battery last month and charge it once a month (agm gel
type)

Get yourself a small high-quality float charger like this one:
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_3 , hook it up and forget the
monthly routine. (It may make sense to remove the battery from the
generator "just in case".

total runtime on meter is 1 hour.

Just one guy's opinion, but I don't think that is enough. I would rather
see at least 10 hours before the thing goes out of warranty. Especially in
electronic equipment, this is when many failures happen in new stuff. After
that, you can have much more confidence in your equipment.

Good luck!
Vaughn

the generator is for emergency backup but as with everything, it surely
deteriorates
after some amount of years but would like to keep it in best possible
condition if
such is possible.

Nothing (except wine & women) improves with age. Your concerns are
well-placed.

Since you are obviously serious about having a good backup, consider
investing in a multi-fuel natural gas or LP gas conversion for your
generator. That will do two things for you: 1) Eliminate problems with the
deteriation of your stored fuel (in the case of NG, you eliminate storage
altogether) and, 2) Eliminate the hassle of finding and standing in line to
buy scarce gasoline during a long general power outage following a disaster.

It sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck!
Vaughn

 

[Ulysses]

Different folks will have different opinions about this, but nobody knows
more that the folkw who made your generator. Read the manual! You will
find short-term and long-term storage instructions. Follow them! If you
lost your manual, they are all on the Honda site.

Myself, I "pickle" my Honda EU-2000 as per the manual and consider that one
run every two years is plenty. When I drag it out for its run, I usually
put about a half-tank of gas through it with a moderate load (a 2 or 3 hour
run). Then I carefully drain the entire fuel system, change the oil, and
put a bit of oil in the sparkplug hole as per the manual. I have never had
an issue.


Get yourself a small high-quality float charger like this one:
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath=11_3 , hook it up and forget the
monthly routine. (It may make sense to remove the battery from the
generator "just in case".


Just one guy's opinion, but I don't think that is enough. I would rather
see at least 10 hours before the thing goes out of warranty. Especially in
electronic equipment, this is when many failures happen in new stuff. After
that, you can have much more confidence in your equipment.

Good luck!
Vaughn


Nothing (except wine & women) improves with age. Your concerns are
well-placed.

I never knew that about women, but it sure is true!

Since you are obviously serious about having a good backup, consider
investing in a multi-fuel natural gas or LP gas conversion for your
generator. That will do two things for you: 1) Eliminate problems with the
deteriation of your stored fuel (in the case of NG, you eliminate storage
altogether) and, 2) Eliminate the hassle of finding and standing in line to
buy scarce gasoline during a long general power outage following a

disaster.

I realize this doesn't really apply to an inverter-type generator but I just
want to point out that on a typical generator with an induction alternator
the residual magnetism could be lost if it sits too long so it's usually a
good idea to run it occasionally with a load. Otherwise the owner might be
trying to figure out how to re-excite the field instead of sitting in front
of their air conditioner watching TV ;-)

 

[vaughn]

I never knew that about women, but it sure is true!

Well, it's true about my woman anyhow. ;-)

I realize this doesn't really apply to an inverter-type generator but I
just
want to point out that on a typical generator with an induction alternator
the residual magnetism could be lost if it sits too long so it's usually a
good idea to run it occasionally with a load. Otherwise the owner might
be
trying to figure out how to re-excite the field instead of sitting in
front
of their air conditioner watching TV

True. That greatly varies between various models of generators. Some my
never lose their magnitism, while others may need to be re-zapped after 6
months. As it turns out, I have never actually seen the issue on any
generator I have ever owned.

In any case, that will never happen to any inverter generator that I know
of because they use permanant magnets.

Vaughn

 

[sam]

Myself, I "pickle" my Honda EU-2000 as per the manual and consider that one
run every two years is plenty. When I drag it out for its run, I usually
put about a half-tank of gas through it with a moderate load (a 2 or 3 hour
run). Then I carefully drain the entire fuel system, change the oil, and
put a bit of oil in the sparkplug hole as per the manual. I have never had
an issue.

thanks for all the details!

am I correct in assuming "pickle" refers to a liberal coating of
something similar to wd40 around/on all metal parts?

just regular 5w-30 engine oil into the sparkplug hole?

thanks again.

 

[vaughn]

thanks for all the details!
am I correct in assuming "pickle" refers to a liberal coating of
something similar to wd40 around/on all metal parts?

By "pickle" I am talking about doing everything that Honda recommends for
long term storage.

just regular 5w-30 engine oil into the sparkplug hole?

Yes. But again, read the manual. Download for free here if you don't have
a copy:
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/manuals/default.aspx

Vaughn

 

[sam]

yes, I have the original user manual for my inverter and have basically done
everything they suggested, except the spoonful of oil into sparkplug hole and moving
piston up the cylinder wall. will do that.

also, had some issue with removing the sediment cup, though it's supposed to be a
simple counterclockwise rotation off but am not too concerned yet with only 1 hr on
runtime meter.

 

[Ulysses]

Well, it's true about my woman anyhow. ;-)

Mine too :-D She just keeps getting sexier and sexier and is still full of
suprises.

 

[Ulysses]

thanks for all the details!

am I correct in assuming "pickle" refers to a liberal coating of
something similar to wd40 around/on all metal parts?

just regular 5w-30 engine oil into the sparkplug hole?

thanks again.

I'm not sure what vaughn means by "pickle" but I don't use WD-40 on the
outside of carbs unless something is stuck because it can attract dust and
make things gooey and sticky. I rarely put oil in the cylinder but I rarely
have anything sit for more than about 6 months. I would use whatever oil is
recommended for the engine (10W30, 30W usually). What I do, which has
always worked for me, is to run Sta-Bil in the last bit of gas, run it out
of gas, remove the air cleaner, remove the float bowl, spray the carb with
carb cleaner, but it back together, and pull the starter rope until you feel
compression.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm not sure what vaughn means by "pickle" but I don't use WD-40 on the
outside of carbs unless something is stuck because it can attract dust and
make things gooey and sticky. I rarely put oil in the cylinder but I rarely
have anything sit for more than about 6 months. I would use whatever oil is
recommended for the engine (10W30, 30W usually). What I do, which has
always worked for me, is to run Sta-Bil in the last bit of gas, run it out
of gas, remove the air cleaner, remove the float bowl, spray the carb with
carb cleaner, but it back together, and pull the starter rope until you feel
compression.

At the risk of sounding like a heretic, I don't do anything when
storing small engines. If I haven't forgotten any, I have 10 of them.
6 months without being used is common. Only the 2 strokes need
attention after long sitting that long. Sometimes they'll start right
up, other times they need a jet cleaning. Of course, we do have very
low humidity here most of the year, and except for one, all of my
small engines are stored indoors.

Wayne