Generator Storage: Another Option? - Page 2

 

I'm meticulous about running the fuel out of the carb on each of my generators
and
other utility-engine powered devices.  Yet these days that isn't enough.
Witness:

http://www.neon-john.com/Generator/Impact_3600/Carb_Overhaul.htm

Note the first photo on the right side.  They've put the friggin main jet half
way up
the float bowl.  That means that the engine 'runs out of gas' with the float bowl
half full.  And sure enough, the bowl eventually crudded up, forcing me to
overhaul
the carb.

It's very unlikely that anything is going to go wrong with your generator while
it's
in storage, especially if it's in a sealed box where insects can't get to it.
I'd
run it once or twice a year just to keep the seals lubed and the caps in the
inverter
properly formed but otherwise leave it alone.  Make SURE the float bowl is
completely
dry.

John
--
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.johndearmond.com  <-- best little blog on the net!
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge. -Darwin

 

   The EU2000 comes with a neat little valve that Honda installed for just this
purpose...to drain the float bowl.  Of course, you have to bother to use it, or
it won't help you.  I have even seen those valves on Chinese engines.  (They
copy every little detail)

Vaughn

 

I add Sta-Bil to the last tank of gas, run it for a while, remove the float
bowl, remove the float and valve, remove the main jet, remove the fuel line,
spray with carb cleaner, put it back together, and pull the rope until the
valves are closed.  I also put a little vaseline or silicone on the float
bowl gasket to keep it from drying out.  I do not drain the gas tank unless
I think it will be more than six months before I use it again.  This may
sound like a lot of work but it's a lot less than getting it to start by not
doing all of this.  So far this has always worked for me.

I suspect that Honda simply adds Sta-Bil and empties the float bowl.  I
guess they don't expect their generators to be sitting in the stores for
very long ;-)

 
What is it about those damned snowblowers anyway? It seems like my old
Toro always wanted to get plugged up no matter what I did.

With my EU2000, I do exactly what you are describing. I pour some
gasoline in it (with Sta-Bil) every 2 or 3 months and then run it
until the gas runs out. I've had the EU2000 for a year or more with no
problems. The only reason I do it that way, though, is because I've
been too lazy to get around to going through the storage routine.

The EU2000 is difficult to start after it has been ran out of gas. The
secret to starting it is to pull very gently on the rope about 10-15
times. That always works for me.

 

Tecumseh engine perhaps?