running generator often?
Moderator: bfadmin
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running generator often?
Manual suggests running generator once weekly for 30 minutes. Seems excessive; what are your practices?
2014 23' Freedom (2nd BF)
Re-starting retirement
Re-starting retirement
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- Posts: 271
- Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 2:46 pm
A good engineering practice is to run at least once a week generators considered "emergency". It is a test of the SYSTEM readiness to function properly. The system includes batteries, transfer equipment, generator-engine assembly etc.
Our generators are way out of this critical usage. They are not different than any gas engine driven equipment spread all over in our garages or garden sheds. Most troubles in the engines are due to gasoline deterioration in the carburetors. So as mentioned above gas stabilizer, preventing deterioration, OR draining the gas would be sufficient to keep the engine for very long time witout so called exercise.
In accordance of German big engine builders every cold engine start is equal of 6 hours normal wear and tear.
My practice is - check the generator/transfer before trip and drain the carburetor (run it with disconnected gas line) after the trip. And since my generator is so "difficult to start" Guardian unit I use spray to help it out.
Our generators are way out of this critical usage. They are not different than any gas engine driven equipment spread all over in our garages or garden sheds. Most troubles in the engines are due to gasoline deterioration in the carburetors. So as mentioned above gas stabilizer, preventing deterioration, OR draining the gas would be sufficient to keep the engine for very long time witout so called exercise.
In accordance of German big engine builders every cold engine start is equal of 6 hours normal wear and tear.
My practice is - check the generator/transfer before trip and drain the carburetor (run it with disconnected gas line) after the trip. And since my generator is so "difficult to start" Guardian unit I use spray to help it out.
Oliver P Smile
2005 26ft RSB
2005 26ft RSB