Against my better judgement I purchased an el-cheapo Chinese generator on flea bay. I know it won't perform as well or as quietly as a Honda but my expectations are not high anyway. It will probably only be used to charge the batteries during poor weather.
What I do want information on is the recommended running-in procedure for new generators. I recall reading something about running the generator on a certain load for a period of time but can not remember the specific details. If anyone has the details or recommendations to possibly prolong the generators life it would be greatly appreciated. I'll get in first by saying answers such as "Don't start it" you can keep to yourself.
The book for my Honda 2ka advised that the initial instructions are - fill sump with new oil, fill fuel tank, prime, start engine making sure the ECO button is NOT switched on - therefore running at 'normal' revs, connect 'a load' (I used the extension lead connected to the van and had all the interior lights and fridge on) and let it run until it runs out of fuel. Allow to cool and then change oil for new oil. It is now ready for 'normal' use - including ECO (economy) mode.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Run under 50% load for at least 2 hours, but increase the load for a few minutes at a time to almost 100% during that time. Warning: Running a Gennie without a load for long periods will glaze the bore. Ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
I wouldn't be so harsh on your generator just because it was brought from eBay. I brought a Fuji (I think it is or similar) generator some years ago and the only problem I've had with it is it no has a flat electric start battery as it sat for some time without use.
Just ensure you change the oil every 100 hours and you will be fine. I use the Penrite 4 Stroke oil.
Changing the oil in some of these can be a bit painful, I got a marine oil pump from Burson's (the type they use to extract oil from boat motors).
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Stewart www.vkportable.com.au www.forums.vkportable.com.au
When I got my cheap eBay genset 3 years ago it said after 10hours of run time change the oil then every 50hrs. checking oil in between. Flat battery has been my only problem as well and has performed very well including running the house for 6 hrs during a blackout
I wouldn't be so harsh on your generator just because it was brought from eBay. I brought a Fuji (I think it is or similar) generator some years ago and the only problem I've had with it is it no has a flat electric start battery as it sat for some time without use.
Just ensure you change the oil every 100 hours and you will be fine. I use the Penrite 4 Stroke oil.
Changing the oil in some of these can be a bit painful, I got a marine oil pump from Burson's (the type they use to extract oil from boat motors).
The generator my son just bought of Ebay had a tube in the kit which screws into where the dipstick comes out for draining the oil ,which I thought was a good idea.
thomas01 - not being the generator operator in the family I can't advise on running times but I can relay the message that you need to regularly start it up and not let it sit for any length of time with fuel in it. We made that mistake and the future son-in-law had to service it and get rid of the 'gluggy' fuel. Otherwise, empty it if you are going to store it and not use it for a while.
Thanks to all for your responses. As I have never owned/used a generator before I was certain I would never have one. (I was a critic). But, a week or more of rain last year in north Queensland, during the dry season, proved that solar is not always practical. I couldn't even get a powered site anywhere so battery power was very limited for many days. Now I'm a convert. I apologise in advance if my generator upsets other campers. I'll use it sparingly. Hopefully by treating this new machine with respect it will last longer than the guarantee??? that came with it.
Run under 50% load for at least 2 hours, but increase the load for a few minutes at a time to almost 100% during that time. Warning: Running a Gennie without a load for long periods will glaze the bore. Ozjohn.
Ditto;
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Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
thomas01 - not being the generator operator in the family I can't advise on running times but I can relay the message that you need to regularly start it up and not let it sit for any length of time with fuel in it. We made that mistake and the future son-in-law had to service it and get rid of the 'gluggy' fuel. Otherwise, empty it if you are going to store it and not use it for a while.
Very applicable to a two stroke,
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Be your self; there's no body better qualified ! "I came into this world with nothing , I still have most of it"
A friend has a small an "el cheapo" 2kva generator. He ran it in, in the following manner:
a. Did prelims , oil, fuel etc.
b. Started it, ran for 5 mins, no load, Eco mode on, allowing generator to rev according to load.
c. Plugged in 240 v light globe (60 watt). Ran for 5 mins.
d. Plugged in battery charger, connected to 12volt wet cell battery. Ran for 5 mins.
e. Plugged in small fan heater. Ran for 10 mins.
f. Removed all three above appliances, plugged in an electric kettle full of water and brought it to the boil.
g. Made a brew and reversed the procedure, starting with boiling the water again. Once he finished, he turned off the motor and allowed it to cool off completely.
Next day he repeated the procedure. Finally changing the oil before it got cold.
That generator has not let him down. It is 5 years old.
