Should I purchase a whole house generator?

[go_mets]

Lets see, 40+ years working on engines in the auto industry, small engine repair courses. Yes I was "Lucky"
There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work.
Someday it will no longer function.
And I will do as any one that follows exact manufactures maintenance schedules that has a defect in the engine/generator when needed.
Be up ***** creek.

Right. And being up **** creek is not the point of having a backup generator is it?


.

Then buy two generators, one for backup.
You just want to argue.
I'm done.

The point is that power outages rarely occur yet when they do I need something that WORKS and as maintenance-free as possible.
I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand.

.

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

[smitcat]

Right. And being up **** creek is not the point of having a backup generator is it?


.

Then buy two generators, one for backup.
You just want to argue.
I'm done.

The point is that power outages rarely occur yet when they do I need something that WORKS and as maintenance-free as possible.
I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand.

.

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

[go_mets]

Then buy two generators, one for backup.
You just want to argue.
I'm done.

The point is that power outages rarely occur yet when they do I need something that WORKS and as maintenance-free as possible.
I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand.

.

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

[smitcat]

The point is that power outages rarely occur yet when they do I need something that WORKS and as maintenance-free as possible.
I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand.

.

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

Quoted once again for your use:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

[go_mets]

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

Quoted once again for your use:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

I am not doubting that.

Does he have a propane generator or not?
I can't find his post that says which one he has.


.

[smitcat]

The point is that power outages rarely occur yet when they do I need something that WORKS and as maintenance-free as possible.
I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand.

.

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

"The Honda one I linked earlier."
OK - I found that link and read the maintenance in that article.
First observation is that is not from the handbook for that generator but it is from someone selling parts.
- so best advice is to follow the handbook.
- and next best advice is to determine exactly what you are buying before referring to maintenance as manuals change over time

I know of no-one who takes a stored genset out of storage in order to maintain an unused air filter or change unsused oil.
So I would wholeheartedly support his post.

[smitcat]

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

Quoted once again for your use:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

I am not doubting that.

Does he have a propane generator or not?
I can't find his post that says which one he has.


.

"Does he have a propane generator or not?"
He just told you that here:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

What differnce does it make? What are you fueling your genetaror with? Which generator are you purchasing? We can then look up the exact handbook and see what would apply in your case.
We would then have some value in the answers as they would accurately apply to your situation.

[go_mets]

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

"The Honda one I linked earlier."
OK - I found that link and read the maintenance in that article.
First observation is that is not from the handbook for that generator but it is from someone selling parts.
- so best advice is to follow the handbook.
- and next best advice is to determine exactly what you are buying before referring to maintenance as manuals change over time

I know of no-one who takes a stored genset out of storage in order to maintain an unused air filter or change unsused oil.
So I would wholeheartedly support his post.

the manual for the Honda gas inverter generators
https://powerequipment.honda.com/suppor ... erators/eu

the mainteance schedule : https://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/pe ... 076221.pdf

We are regular folks who need backup power in a power outage.
We follow the whichever mainteance manual of whichever generator we buy.
That's all we can go by.
And if we do follow it then maybe just maybe if something breaks the manufacturer will follow through on the warranty.


.

[go_mets]

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

Quoted once again for your use:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

I am not doubting that.

Does he have a propane generator or not?
I can't find his post that says which one he has.


.

"Does he have a propane generator or not?"
He just told you that here:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

That merely explains the difference between propane and gas.
I was referring to Honda gas inverter generator.



.

[smitcat]

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

"The Honda one I linked earlier."
OK - I found that link and read the maintenance in that article.
First observation is that is not from the handbook for that generator but it is from someone selling parts.
- so best advice is to follow the handbook.
- and next best advice is to determine exactly what you are buying before referring to maintenance as manuals change over time

I know of no-one who takes a stored genset out of storage in order to maintain an unused air filter or change unsused oil.
So I would wholeheartedly support his post.

the manual for the Honda gas inverter generators
https://powerequipment.honda.com/suppor ... erators/eu

the mainteance schedule : https://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/pe ... 076221.pdf

We are regular folks who need backup power in a power outage.
We follow the whichever mainteance manual of whichever generator we buy.
That's all we can go by.
And if we do follow it then maybe just maybe if something breaks the manufacturer will follow through on the warranty.


.

You do not take an unused genset out ofd storage to change unused oil and service an unused air filter.
If you choose to do that it will likely be fine but I would get a number of air filters and a couple of oil drain plugs as they may be affected by the frequent changes and handling.

[go_mets]

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

"The Honda one I linked earlier."
OK - I found that link and read the maintenance in that article.
First observation is that is not from the handbook for that generator but it is from someone selling parts.
- so best advice is to follow the handbook.
- and next best advice is to determine exactly what you are buying before referring to maintenance as manuals change over time

I know of no-one who takes a stored genset out of storage in order to maintain an unused air filter or change unsused oil.
So I would wholeheartedly support his post.

the manual for the Honda gas inverter generators
https://powerequipment.honda.com/suppor ... erators/eu

the mainteance schedule : https://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/pe ... 076221.pdf

We are regular folks who need backup power in a power outage.
We follow the whichever mainteance manual of whichever generator we buy.
That's all we can go by.
And if we do follow it then maybe just maybe if something breaks the manufacturer will follow through on the warranty.


.

You do not take an unused genset out ofd storage to change unused oil and service an unused air filter.
If you choose to do that it will likely be fine but I would get a number of air filters and a couple of oil drain plugs as they may be affected by the frequent changes and handling.

You make it sound like we deliberately are choosing to do something foolish.

When I buy an expensive equipment such as a Honda inverter generator for $1000, I follow its recommended maintenance.
I have no other frame of reference.


.

[smitcat]

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

"The Honda one I linked earlier."
OK - I found that link and read the maintenance in that article.
First observation is that is not from the handbook for that generator but it is from someone selling parts.
- so best advice is to follow the handbook.
- and next best advice is to determine exactly what you are buying before referring to maintenance as manuals change over time

I know of no-one who takes a stored genset out of storage in order to maintain an unused air filter or change unsused oil.
So I would wholeheartedly support his post.

the manual for the Honda gas inverter generators
https://powerequipment.honda.com/suppor ... erators/eu

the mainteance schedule : https://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/pe ... 076221.pdf

We are regular folks who need backup power in a power outage.
We follow the whichever mainteance manual of whichever generator we buy.
That's all we can go by.
And if we do follow it then maybe just maybe if something breaks the manufacturer will follow through on the warranty.


.

You do not take an unused genset out ofd storage to change unused oil and service an unused air filter.
If you choose to do that it will likely be fine but I would get a number of air filters and a couple of oil drain plugs as they may be affected by the frequent changes and handling.

You make it sound like we deliberately are choosing to do something foolish.

When I buy an expensive equipment such as a Honda inverter generator for $1000, I follow its recommended maintenance.
I have no other frame of reference.


.

As poste on other threads - you would be best served by getting someone to confer with you on a portable genset. These are the questions you remain uncomfortable with that could be solved/answered with that consultation:
- what device(s) you want to power
- for how long
- what is the electrical draw of those device(s)
- which solution(s) could apply to my goal
- if its a genset which size, how to install, what permits are needed if any, what is the running costs, what are the maintenance costs
- if it can be a battery bank which size, which inverter, which monitoring system, which charging system, how do I switch over, how long till replacement

[Broken Man 1999]

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

Quoted once again for your use:
"Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas."

I am not doubting that.

Does he have a propane generator or not?
I can't find his post that says which one he has.


.

Perhaps instead of worrying about his maintenance schedule, why not investigate the maintenance recommendations of whatever generator your are considering/buying?

To his point, propane is very clean burning, and I never had to change spark plugs of any generator I have owned, all two of them.

My current generator (currently set to run on propane) was purchased on June 6, 2013 and has receieved ZERO maintenance. No oil changes (filled with Mobile 1 when unit was received), no spark plug changes, no air filter changes. It runs on propane, and has less than ten hours run time. And, probably half of the hours were from letting it run a bit each year before hurricane season. Cranks up immediately each year we test, just tested it last month. I love those Honda engines. Darn near bullet-proof.

Generator is a Honda powered tri-fuel 8750 watt peak, 7000 watt continuous. Electric start w/battery tender onboard. $1,599 including shipping from Maine from this company:
Central Maine Diesel.

Broken Man 1999

[smitcat]

The point is that power outages rarely occur yet when they do I need something that WORKS and as maintenance-free as possible.
I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand.

.

"I don't understand why that is so difficult to understand."
He has done everything needed to make sure that his generator works when needed, here is his post:

"There is NO maintenance for the generator... Period.
There is maintenance for the small engine that runs the generator, exactly the same as a lawnmower, snowblower etc.
It's not rocket science. I have had Mower engines last over 25 yrs, My current mower engine is 20 yrs old and going strong as the day it was new.
Scag turf Tiger. And they are/were GAS engines.
Propane has little to no carbon fouling as gasoline does.
Hence little to no fouling of the cylinder or spark plug... when it's running.
No carburetor fouling as with gas.

When it does not run it does not use or foul the spark plug, nor clog or dirty the air cleaner.

Please follow the manufactures instructions to change the unused plug and unused air filter if you wish at their specific change intervals.
If you aren't using it it doesn't wear out.

I change the oil before I use it, and after I use it.
It sits in storage unused.
I fully expect it to function when I need it barring any unforeseen or uncontrollable defect of the engine, which won't be apparent till it fails to work."

I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him.

It may not work for me just when I need it most.
There is no do-over until the next power outage.


.

"I read his post.
I want to believe that his modified maintenace which is apparently not per the manufacturer's recommendation is adequate.
It worked for him."
He runs only on propane - it is very adequate.

"It may not work for me just when I need it most."
Which generator and maintannce schedule are you referring to?

The Honda one I linked earlier.

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.
It is not clear his generator is propane. I may have missed that part of it as the small print on this message board is hard on my eyes.



.

"It is not clear his generator is propane"
Chuck has given you good advice - half way down on page 5 of this thread he descibes how he uses his genset with propane.
Here is that post....

"I agree, after 9 yrs in storage I changed the oil on my 3500w gen, and hooked up my 20 lb cyl of propane sitting outside for just as long, good for 2 days.
Phew. I didn't think I could do it."

[willthrill81]

The way I read his post is that with propane there is no maintenace.

Every engine requires maintenance. It's just that there is significantly less maintenance needed for an engine that's fueled by propane (or natural gas) rather than gasoline or diesel.

[Chuck107]

.....

[LadyGeek]

The thread is starting to derail on what a member may have meant regarding propane generator maintenance. The points have been made, let's move on.

[RustyShackleford]

Yes, those of us who live in northern climates can be in big trouble if we lose power when there's a big blizzard outside and travel of any sort is difficult. Being able to heat your home, at least enough to keep pipes from freezing ...

My solutions to these issues won't work for many here, but just for the record ...

- For travel difficulty, Subaru Outback.
- For heat: wood heater (which I heat with almost exclusively anyhow).
- For pipes freezing: encapsulated crawlspace underneath passive solar house (not enough solar gain for adequate space-heating,
not by a long shot, but plenty enough that the crawlspace wont' get anywhere near freezing, even with the house empty).

[RustyShackleford]

... propane is very clean burning ...

Maybe this point has been made already, but completely separate from the issue of engine fouling with propane versus gasoline, there is the issue of storage of the fuels. Propane can be stored virtually forever, with no degradation. Gasoline becomes "stale" pretty quickly.

[willthrill81]

Gasoline becomes "stale" pretty quickly.

I've stored E-10 gasoline with no stabilizers or additives of any kind for over a year and burned it in both my Yamaha 2400 iSHC and multiple vehicles with no problems at all. The key is for it to be stored in a 100% airtight container. That said, I do keep PRI-G on hand to revive any gas that might go stale, and stale gas can be mixed with good gas up to 50/50 and burned with no issues. Nevertheless, I agree with you that propane is the ultimate fuel when it comes to storage.

[IMO]

Gasoline becomes "stale" pretty quickly.

I've stored E-10 gasoline with no stabilizers or additives of any kind for over a year and burned it in both my Yamaha 2400 iSHC and multiple vehicles with no problems at all. The key is for it to be stored in a 100% airtight container. That said, I do keep PRI-G on hand to revive any gas that might go stale, and stale gas can be mixed with good gas up to 50/50 and burned with no issues. Nevertheless, I agree with you that propane is the ultimate fuel when it comes to storage.

The time frame for when gasoline goes bad is dependent on a number of factors. This is discussed in the following article:
https://www.livescience.com/58117-does- ... o-bad.html

As was noted above, 100% airtight storage is ideal, but this may not be viable in all situations. There is the issue of stale gas turning into varnish, and their is the issue of the ethanol is gas being hydrophobic attracting water into the gas.

This issue/topic always comes into discussion in forums and especially boat forums when it comes to storage of gasoline in one's tank during the off season. After looking into the topic considerably, I've concluded there isn't 100% consensus on what is the best advice. What is always advised is some type of stabilizer, such as Stabil and apparently PRI-G is another (are they similar? I suspect so). There isn't consensus on how full one's tank should be kept in the off season. Many recommend keeping the tank full, although, my boat manual actually says keep it 1/2 full.

What I'm not sure about is the concept of "reviving" old gasoline. I would suspect that adding fresh gas to a tank is always helpful as that would dilute out varnish somewhat. I've watched reviews on products (basically denatured alcohol) that claim to remove water from fuel as it does seem it is possible to get the water to better "dissolve" (it doesn't really dissolve) which would help it burn through the system. As Stabil doesn't refresh old gas, I would suspect that PRI-G doesn't revive old gas either.

FWIW, I've had to store a boat for 1.5 years once (was inside storage) with Stabil and 1/2 tank. Topped it off with fresh gas and it fired right up. Note there is a water separating filter on the boat though.

[willthrill81]

Gasoline becomes "stale" pretty quickly.

I've stored E-10 gasoline with no stabilizers or additives of any kind for over a year and burned it in both my Yamaha 2400 iSHC and multiple vehicles with no problems at all. The key is for it to be stored in a 100% airtight container. That said, I do keep PRI-G on hand to revive any gas that might go stale, and stale gas can be mixed with good gas up to 50/50 and burned with no issues. Nevertheless, I agree with you that propane is the ultimate fuel when it comes to storage.

The time frame for when gasoline goes bad is dependent on a number of factors. This is discussed in the following article:
https://www.livescience.com/58117-does- ... o-bad.html

As was noted above, 100% airtight storage is ideal, but this may not be viable in all situations. There is the issue of stale gas turning into varnish, and their is the issue of the ethanol is gas being hydrophobic attracting water into the gas.

This issue/topic always comes into discussion in forums and especially boat forums when it comes to storage of gasoline in one's tank during the off season. After looking into the topic considerably, I've concluded there isn't 100% consensus on what is the best advice. What is always advised is some type of stabilizer, such as Stabil and apparently PRI-G is another (are they similar? I suspect so). There isn't consensus on how full one's tank should be kept in the off season. Many recommend keeping the tank full, although, my boat manual actually says keep it 1/2 full.

What I'm not sure about is the concept of "reviving" old gasoline. I would suspect that adding fresh gas to a tank is always helpful as that would dilute out varnish somewhat. I've watched reviews on products (basically denatured alcohol) that claim to remove water from fuel as it does seem it is possible to get the water to better "dissolve" (it doesn't really dissolve) which would help it burn through the system. As Stabil doesn't refresh old gas, I would suspect that PRI-G doesn't revive old gas either.

Stabil and PRI-G are very different products. Real world reports like this one suggest that PRI-G can indeed restore the light ends needed to make stale gas viable, though there are definitely different degrees of 'staleness', and it's impossible to restore gasoline that's very far gone. Further, I'm not itching to try to revive old gasoline myself. I normally rotate through all of our stored gasoline every 4-5 months or so, and I've never once had an issue with stale gas. Airtight containers are very easy to find and use, but fuel tanks obviously don't qualify.

Gasoline cannot literally 'turn into varnish', which is a completely different substance, but it can certainly get very gummy if stored improperly for long periods of time. That's why it's a good idea to always first run an engine out of gas that will sit for a while.