Posted: 10/9/2011 7:59:30 AM EDT
| A question for Yoos guys that have portable generators, how often to you start them up to keep them in good working condition.? |
My MEP-002A Army surplus diesel? Well, I have it mounted on castering pneumatic wheels so it is portable. Once a week. Get it to open cooling shutters hot (no temperature gauge, just thermostatic cooling air shutters), check battery voltage, system output in 120/240 VAC and frequency stability under a load. When the rain stops, it is going to be tested in 3-phase connection with my welder  . At 1100 pounds, it won't move easily over saturated ground as the tires are inflated to 40 PSI.The low oil pressure switch failed so I have to watch the gauge. Once a week, to operating temperature checking all vital parameters regardless of the generator type/size. If less often, disconnect the ground battery connection. |
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When I swap the lawnmower for the snow blower, I start the generator and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Then I close the fuel petcock and let it run itself out of gas. Right or wrong, it seems to work okay. The thing starts on the second or third pull, every time. so far.... |
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Every three months for an hour under load. Between start ups I drain the gas tank and carburetor float bowl, remove the spark plug, add a tsp of oil, reinsert spark plug and hand crank it until the cylinder is at TDC. Has never failed me..... ETA: I've since gotten a tri-fuel conversion and only use natural gas. |