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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: lochgilphead on August 22, 2015, 01:00:14 PM

Title: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: lochgilphead on August 22, 2015, 01:00:14 PM
Advice please guys.  I have a 2Kva generator which may not be used for some time.  I have previously left it between trips, full with a significant amount of fuel keeper additive.  So far I have had no issues.  If I plan to store it and it may not get used for say 12 months what is the best way to lessen the chance of gumming it up or other damage please?  ;D

Mac
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: D4D on August 22, 2015, 01:04:27 PM
I leave my Honda EU10 full of oil/fuel, it doesn't get used often. Starts 2nd pull every time.
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: gronk on August 22, 2015, 01:14:51 PM
With my chainsaw, after each use I empty the tanks and run it dry of all fuel.....and I'd do the same for a gennie as well.

Fuel can't gum up or go stale if there's none there !
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: ronmac on August 22, 2015, 01:17:16 PM
Exactly the same as your doing, Plus I use Sta-bil as an additive. cheers Ron
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: ronmac on August 22, 2015, 01:22:50 PM
With my chainsaw, after each use I empty the tanks and run it dry of all fuel.....and I'd do the same for a gennie as well.

Fuel can't gum up or go stale if there's none there !
Iv'e always been led to believe that emptying the fuel tank and carby will result in dried out seals there for resulting in fuel leaks. cheers Ron.







Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: Sixpack on August 22, 2015, 02:05:17 PM
I just run mine from time to time for a couple of minutes.  I never have any problems starting it so that must be a good sign.
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: gronk on August 22, 2015, 02:57:33 PM
Iv'e always been led to believe that emptying the fuel tank and carby will result in dried out seals there for resulting in fuel leaks. cheers Ron.

Never had a leak, so can't say whether that's an old wives tale or not ?
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: discoteddy on August 22, 2015, 08:54:26 PM
I leave my Honda EU10 full of oil/fuel, it doesn't get used often. Starts 2nd pull every time.


yep same here, give it a run once a month when I give the campers batteries a hit with the ctek. Another reason I like juice in it is when there is a blackout it's much easier to use the little Honda without finding the head torch to fuel it up first.


Cheers,

Disco teddy.
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: GeoffA on August 22, 2015, 09:00:18 PM
I leave my Honda EU10 full of oil/fuel, it doesn't get used often. Starts 2nd pull every time.

Same...
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: Bill on August 23, 2015, 06:39:59 AM
I just run mine from time to time for a couple of minutes.  I never have any problems starting it so that must be a good sign.
I do the same with my cheapie.
I turn the fuel on and once its starts I just turn the fuel back off and let it run till she quits. Usually runs 5 minutes or so.
Bill
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: Jeepers Creepers on August 23, 2015, 06:46:35 AM
I always go by the ol wives tail, that you'll get condensation in an empty fuel tank rather than a full one.

Like Bill, I just both our Honda's (Boat and Camper) every few months or so.
Not a big fan of leaving carbies dry though either.
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: gronk on August 23, 2015, 08:46:38 AM

Not a big fan of leaving carbies dry though either.

Might be a job for mythbusters.....??
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: GeoffA on August 23, 2015, 09:37:51 AM
Might be a job for mythbusters.....??

Used to happen with carbied cars that had been converted to LPG.
They'd be run on gas exclusively for a long time, and when they were switched to petrol, no go.....
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: Rumpig on August 23, 2015, 10:39:27 AM
I know it's not the right thing to do, but i just leave my chainsaw and gennie how ever i last used them, they seem to start when i go to use them 6 or 12 months later...lol. In saying that, i have started the gennie, chainsaw and diesel hot water system in my camper trailer in the last month just to give them a run, as they've all been sitting around way to long unused...especially the camper  :'( :'(
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: edz on August 23, 2015, 12:35:26 PM
Had a cheapie GMC 2 stroke generator, always turned fuel off and ran the line and carby out, the unit sat under the bench in the shed for best part of three years till I gave it to a mate .. shook it up to mix the old fuel in the tank,  third or fourth pull of the starter rope she was running.. only trouble was trying to turn the fuel tap off, the diecast disintergrated ..
Title: Re: Long term storage of a generator
Post by: oldblade on August 24, 2015, 07:19:15 PM
I was running a cheapy 2kva and as I was a cheapy I didn't care much for it so it would only get started when camping so sometimes a 6 months gap. It did start to get harder to start so I replaced it with an inverter ( prices have come down ) and solar is also cheaper.