does stored generator need runtime on engine or components?

 

have a couple years old honda inverter (6.5 kW) generator and the fuel system
has a
drain valve so last time when it was used to test out all connections in a total
blackout condition, ran sta-bil mixed with some premium fuel last month, drained
the
fuel and closed valve

the sediment cup is clean and dry, all fuel lines are empty

changed oil and placed it into storage, non-airconditioned space

should the generator be occasionally run with some fresh fuel and if so, what
type of
runtime (15 min, 30 min) ?

installed a new battery last month and charge it once a month (agm gel type)

total runtime on meter is 1 hour.

the generator is for emergency backup but as with everything, it surely
deteriorates
after some amount of years but would like to keep it in best possible condition
if
such is possible.

 



   Different folks will have different opinions about this, but nobody knows
more that the folkw who made your generator.  Read the manual!  You will
find short-term and long-term storage instructions.  Follow them!  If you
lost your manual, they are all on the Honda site.

Myself, I "pickle" my Honda EU-2000 as per the manual and consider that one
run every two years is plenty.  When I drag it out for its run, I usually
put about a half-tank of gas through it with a moderate load (a 2 or 3 hour
run).  Then I carefully drain the entire fuel system, change the oil, and
put a bit of oil in the sparkplug hole as per the manual.  I have never had
an issue.


Get yourself a small high-quality float charger  like this one:
http://batterytender.com/default.php?cPath _3 , hook it up and forget the
monthly routine.  (It may make sense to remove the battery from the
generator "just in case".


   Just one guy's opinion, but I don't think that is enough.  I would rather
see at least 10 hours before the thing goes out of warranty.  Especially in
electronic equipment, this is when many failures happen in new stuff.  After
that, you can have much more confidence in your equipment.

Good luck!
Vaughn


Nothing (except wine & women) improves with age.   Your concerns are
well-placed.

Since you are obviously serious about having a good backup, consider
investing in a multi-fuel natural gas or LP gas conversion for your
generator.  That will do two things for you: 1) Eliminate problems with the
deteriation of your stored fuel (in the case of NG, you eliminate storage
altogether)  and, 2) Eliminate the hassle of finding and standing in line to
buy scarce gasoline during a long general power outage following a disaster.

 It sounds like you are on the right track.  Good luck!
Vaughn

 



I never knew that about women, but it sure is true!


disaster.

I realize this doesn't really apply to an inverter-type generator but I just
want to point out that on a typical generator with an induction alternator
the residual magnetism could be lost if it sits too long so it's usually a
good idea to run it occasionally with a load.  Otherwise the owner might be
trying to figure out how to re-excite the field instead of sitting in front
of their air conditioner watching TV ;-)

 



Well, it's true about my woman anyhow. ;-)


   True.  That greatly varies between various models of generators.  Some my
never lose their magnitism, while others may need to be re-zapped after 6
months.  As it turns out, I have never actually seen the issue on any
generator I have ever owned.

   In any case, that will never happen to any inverter generator that I know
of because they use permanant magnets.

Vaughn

 



Mine too :-D  She just keeps getting sexier and sexier and is still full of
suprises.


alternator