Attention generator owners!!

[jimroth]

NOW is the time to test your equipment -- not when the power goes out! I just fired up my generator and gas sprayed everywhere! It would have been a very bad thing to see at 2AM in the dark.
After some messing around I figured out it was a stuck carburetor float. Thankfully it was cured by a few taps on the carb with a small hammer, and now it's running fine. But it took a while.

Seriously -- fire that baby up now, it's better to know!

 

[Hawkeye]

thanks jim...i believe i have the same one you do. Will go do that tomorrow.

 

[Baxreefs]

Good thing you only needed a small hammer!

That leaves the BIG hammer for realy big problems!!!

 

[jimroth]

Good thing you only needed a small hammer!

That leaves the BIG hammer for realy big problems!!!

You probably don't have a hammer like this...it's a ball peen hammer with a head about 2" long. I've never used it for anything--this was it's moment to shine!

 

[TanksNStuff]

One of those.... " I know I'll need this for something one day " items huh?

Very sound advise though. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[adesimone1]

You were right Jim took mine out today and it would not start but after 15 min of work it is running now, there is nothing like waiting till last minute.

 

[Hawkeye]

i couldn't hear myself think after turning it on. Holy cow it is loud...like NY subway when all the trains are blowing by in TimesSquare loud.

Ironically enough after I turned it on and let it run for a bit, I then realized I had no idea how to turn it off... (few mins later found the "off' button).

 

[fisheye]

How long will it run on a tank of gasoline (about 3 gallons)? It is a 7 HP craftman. I should get some more.

 

[Bad Fish]

You should also change the oil especially if you ran it before. Most take straight 30 weight

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[trivan]

i couldn't hear myself think after turning it on. Holy cow it is loud...like NY subway when all the trains are blowing by in TimesSquare loud.

Ironically enough after I turned it on and let it run for a bit, I then realized I had no idea how to turn it off... (few mins later found the "off' button).

This is one major reason I purchased a Honda. It's very quiet.

I know there is mixed opinions on this, but be careful running sensitive electronics off contractor generators, the power produce is not clean, I think it's the sine waves(?) and potentially damaging to circuit boards. I'm sure Oliver can chime in here, with his opinion.


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[Bad Fish]

I was told always use a surge protector as the helps clean up the electricity

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[Tazmaniancowboy]

I heard you can damage your fridge if the generator is under powered. Is this true?

 

[Daniel]

Don yes it is true. the motor will get very hot and burn out.

 

[trivan]

I was told always use a surge protector as the helps clean up the electricity

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Not sure, but it can't hurt. Surge protectors don't clean the power, only limit the peaks. Damage also occurs if there is a lack of power. I would use a UPS if available.


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[Hawkeye]

This is one major reason I purchased a Honda. It's very quiet.
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Yep I looked into that - we have a honda powersports store in our town. 2g's was a little much for me though. Both my neighbors have generators and they are not Hondas...between the 3 of us we'll just be noise makers...

 

[Hawkeye]

How long will it run on a tank of gasoline (about 3 gallons)? It is a 7 HP craftman. I should get some more.

is this the 3600 watt one? i looked it up and it says:

Runs up to 12 hours at 1/2 load on one tank of fuel.

I saw a review that said it burns 1/2 gallon per hr, I assume this is at full load.

 

[Hawkeye]

Saw this on youtube (outdoor enclosure for your generator)...too bad i'm the Mr. Bean when it comes to being handy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s6IcmKv8XI&feature=related

 

[fisheye]

is this the 3600 watt one? i looked it up and it says:

Runs up to 12 hours at 1/2 load on one tank of fuel.

I saw a review that said it burns 1/2 gallon per hr, I assume this is at full load.

That is good to know. Thank.

 

[jimroth]

Changed the oil on mine today...it was pretty nasty....but easier to do than I thought it would be, the drain plug was right on the front.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Phil, I really like that little storage shed for the generator….I can do that. But for now, my generator sits out on my screen enclosed porch under a piece of plastic….and I just took this picture, and it is windy outside. It's coming!