This is my first post here and I have been eagerly awaiting my membership to be approved so as I can seek some of your collective expertise :)
Ok, so its generators I want to ask about...
I have searched and done a bit of reading on the topic and my questions are about small petrol generators. I have purchased a basic 2 stroke 240 volt one for battery charging and as a bit of insurance. So here goes:
First up running in 2 stroke generators.
I have found differing advice on this subject, actually two general sets of opinions 180 degrees opposed:
The manual and many forums suggest a slow run-in period with a light load. This makes general sense to me, to gently and slowly run it in. It is the approach I would normally take.
However! Some forums suggest the absolute oppposite. Running the brand new generator HARD with a solid, near capaicty load to "seat the rings".
Opinions?
Secondly, a quicky:
Does running a generator without a load do any damage?
Many thanks!
-- Edited by Gordo65 on Sunday 16th of September 2012 07:31:57 PM
-- Edited by Gordo65 on Sunday 16th of September 2012 07:55:22 PM
no load equals carboned up ports and fouled spark plug. Run in proceedure is really a thing of the past when we made the big end bearings and scaping them to correct tolleremces amd grinding the ends of the rings so they had a few thou gap for cleanace. Just use it as intended with a slightly lighter load for a 1/4 hour with a slightly oil fuel mix as previously sugested. cheers blaze ps remember the fellow campers when using
Ah, glad I checked back here as I was about to start. So 40:1 it is then and with a medium load.
This little genny puts out a fairly reasonable, slightly wonked but smooth sine type wave form, so I will be using a regular transformer-type 12voly battery charger. The dedicated 12 volt output is quite "horrible" with hash and mess all over the place (based on oscilloscope wave forms I have seen from other posts) so I will be giving that the big avoid.
-- Edited by Gordo65 on Monday 17th of September 2012 11:41:18 AM
Thanks gents, So I will start it for the first time this morning with a medium load and extra oil. It is designed to use 50/1 fuel to oil so what do you think 25/1 for the first hour?
40:1 will be good for the first tank or two, certainly no more than 30:1 or you'll finish up with a gummed up carby, sticky rings and excess carbon build up. For the first hour or so run at a medium load, then run as normal. Do not run for any period of time without a load as it will glaze the bore. OJ
__________________
Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
You will also need to purchase a battery charger. The 12V output from most generators is quite small and not really suitable for good battery charging.