Alaska Cabin Life FIRMAN DUAL FUEL GENERATOR SETUP and COLD CLIMATE MODIFICATION

Hello! Today on Flat Tire Farm, Mr. Reeve unboxes our new 4000W dual fuel Firman inverter/generator, since our Generac exploded… He shares his tips for prepping a generator for cold climates and 3 best tips for prolonging the life of your generator.
This Firman generator is model # WH03242 and we got it at Costco : )
Here is the Amazon link for gas can modification kits:
Gas Can Conversion kits: amzn.to/3L2APIg

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey guys! Here’s our review of this generator! FIRMAN DUAL FUEL GENERATOR REVIEW - Would I ever buy this again?? - HOMESTEADING ALASKA kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@montereynotjapan]

I happened to watch a maintenance video on the Firman website and they said to not twist the dipstick in when checking the oil level to get an accurate reading. Thanks for this video. Very helpful!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

I hadn’t heard that! I’ll have to check it out. It might mean I am not completely filling it. Thanks for the tip! And thanks for watching and commenting!

[@robertlivingston360]

Another cold weather issue could be the carburetor idle set screw. Firman may consider it to be redundant as the stepper motor tries to throttle for a minimum speed. However in practice with very cold weather, the unit almost always always catches with default closed choke and fully open throttle, but then revs up, the controller very quickly closes the throttle for over-speed. Under normal temperatures, the engine coasts long enough to re-open the throttle, but with thick, cold oil the coasting is very brief and it will stall. Check to see if the idle stopper screw is properly adjusted so that the throttle is never allowed to be 100% closed.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey Robert, thanks for watching! That’s a great tip! I wouldn’t have thought of that. If that’s the case, as long as I brought it in and warmed it up before starting it, that should take care of it too, wouldn’t it? Again, thanks for watching and thanks for the tip!

[@yogajo3890]

Thanks, awesome video, very helpful! Generators are scary to me, you made it a lot less scary!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Glad you found it helpful. 😊

[@sandijammes7761]

@arzenkazydub - I'm so sorry for all that's going on in your country. I keep your country & peace loving people in my prayers. I'll continue to do so. I'm glad Mr Reeve can offer you ideas & his experience in dealing with the cold and especially generator tips. He seems to be able to do just about anything! He's a great contact for you, so I hope you'll stay in touch with him. I really appreciated you sharing the "realities" of life right now for you and your family & neighbors. Please do that whenever you can. Stay warm, stay safe & may God continue to bless & keep you & yours. 🙏🙏❤️🙏🙏

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you. I learned alot.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, I just posted the review video on this generator, thought you might like it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@robertlivingston360]

In very cold weather, consider using 0W30 synthetic oil. Yes, Mobile does market it. Cranking may be an issue in cold, thick, oil. Yes, the breather tube freezing is and issue. Some generator brands actually go up-hill to the air intake!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey Robert, another great tip! Thanks! I have a question for you. So I change my oil pretty frequently, so I’ve never used synthetic oil in my generators because of cost. Which would you think would be best? Spend the extra money on synthetic but go a little longer between oil changes or stay with conventional but change it more frequently? You sound like a small engine mechanic and I’d love to hear what you think! Thanks in advance! Glad to have you with us!

[@BucksBe]

Great tips! Thanks for the video. Just bought one myself from Costco 👍

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Thanks! We’ve loved it so far, I’m pretty much in love with the electric start. It’s like magic. Ha! Chrystal

[@reevecarlson9496]

Thanks for watching! I will do a follow up review video of this generator soon. There are a couple down sides to it, but overall we’ve been pretty happy with it! Reeve

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, I just posted the review video on this generator, thought you might like it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@Casserole_Girl]

Thanks that was great! I liked the tips for the future. I'm on day 2 of a power outage and got one of these at Costco.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Yikes! We hope you get your power back soon! In the meantime, I think you’ll be happy with this generator. We’re rooting for you. 😊

[@Casserole_Girl]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska At the very least we're learning some skills that will be useful should we lose power this winter. Glad to not be learning all this at -20!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

@@Casserole_Girl truth! Way better than learning at 20 below. FYI tears freeze your eyes shut when you cry at 20 below. Somehow I know that….Happy Thursday Friend.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, I just posted the review video on this generator, thought you might like it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@irisramirez3462]

Thank you. Nice video. Very helpful. I'm going to get one at Costco there on sale for 600 bucks

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Glad you found it useful! Heres the cold weather tips and review video we did on this generator after having it a while. Alaska Cabin Life - Firman Dual Fuel Generator Review - Would I ever buy this again?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@irisramirez3462]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska hehehe. I live in southwest Florida. My purpose is to help when there are hurricanes and my solar panels have not always had my back. Something always seems to go wrong and when I need them the most I don't get to use them.

[@juliehard4375]

Two winters ago the Dallas area lost power for four days with snow and temperatures as low as 6 degrees! I need beginner advice for this generator so when its delivered I will be all set. Thanks for making this so clear even a flight attendant can understand it. 😊

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey Miss Julie! We’re glad you found it useful. Don’t be afraid to send questions our way if you have any. 😊 We will be doing a review video on this generator soon. We’ll give you a heads up when it comes out. Stay warm out there! I bet 6° was a shock for y’all.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, I just posted the review video on this generator, thought you might like it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@mojoefitness]

Thank you for pointing out that you’re supposed to connect the battery wires. I thought my battery was dead and wouldn’t charge!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

No problem friend! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@cambodianexpress8557]

Hey thanks... Great video. I just got this generator and I'm pretty impressed. Only complaint is the CO2 sensor system is so sensitive it shuts off if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction. Heard others complain about theirs as well. Does anyone know the wiring mods to disable it? (It stays outside so don't anybody give me "THe DEatH TaLk" ). About new gas cans, I gut the spouts and drill & install a tube-less tire valve stem with the core screwed out for an air vent and cap. Works great! Thanks again.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I’m right there with you as far as the gas cans go! As for the CO sensor, I’ve had it do the same thing a couple times. I haven’t dug into it to figure out how to disable it yet, but once I figure it out, I’ll leave another reply here and let you know. For now, I’ve dealt with it two ways. First, I just turn the generator so that the exhaust is facing downwind or second, I take a piece of pipe several feet long and slip it over the end of the exhaust to carry the exhaust further away from the generator. You have to wire it on so it doesn’t vibrate off and it’s a little tough to get it through the hole in the cover, so you might want to take the cover off beforehand. I’m working on a review video for this generator that I’ll have up soon. Stay tuned!

[@cambodianexpress8557]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska A review of this gen would be great. Today I added a 6' piece of flexible conduit that routs the exhaust out of the smithy after I pulled the spark arrester, but I do want to disable the CO2 pain in the neck. Do try out the gas can modification using the tube-less valve stems. They make the cans usable... again thanks, your videos are top notch.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, I just posted the review video on this generator, thought you might like it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3raqaegq7ibh9k

[@superspeeder]

Have you considered insulating the valve cover vent hose? I would think some light foam wrapped around it might keep it from freezing. Do you have a feeling about what temperature the hose freezing becomes an issue? I imagine most people won’t be operating in the same temps you get in Alaska! I’m in Ottawa, Canada. It gets cold here but not as extreme. I have the 3000W gas-only version of this Firman, snd though I don’t use it often I have used it a full tank at a time with no problems down to -12C (10F) or so.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend! I feel Like it’s only an issue once the temperature drops below zero. (Fahrenheit) We get enough below zero temps up here that I just disconnect it so I don’t have to worry about it. Works great

[@superspeeder]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska thanks for the info!

[@TOURMANBOB]

I once had the opportunity to buy one of the smaller Firman generators with a damaged cylinder from dirt. It was caused by a design flaw where the generator was drawing air into the engine from a spot near or underneath the unit. This allowed it to pick up more dirt than the filter could handle and it destroyed the engine. I don't know if the larger units have this flaw but you might want to check it out and if so, keep the generator off the ground in use. And no, I didn't buy the damaged generator as it was pretty much junk at that point...

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hi Robert. Thanks for watching! This generator has the air intake out the side and plenty high off the ground. I guess they learned their lesson!

[@TOURMANBOB]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska That's good to know thanks

[@xcrixu5xtv214]

Do you use any additives for gasoline? I understand that for certain equipment that is gasoline, additives are added. Is it the same with this generator? Thank you for the video. I am a beginner in the use of an electric generator.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Thanks for watching! Good question. The only additive that I use in my gasoline is a stabilizer. I only use it when I expect the gasoline to sit for a while (more than a month) without being used. It has worked very well for me!

[@seangholipour3884]

Thanks for going over this generator, I bought one yesterday. Out of curiosity, what the batteries in your house are used for?

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

He friend, we live completely off grid in Alaska, and in the winter there’s not enough sunlight to run our solar system. We charge up a battery bank to run when there’s no solar gain. Great question!

[@seangholipour3884]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska thanks for the info, have you made any video about your off grid battery and solar panel setup?

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

@@seangholipour3884 We did this short video on how we function with a small system in our living off grid playlist. How to use a SMALL OFF-GRID SOLAR SYSTEM - HOMESTEADING ALASKA kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3vQaqKNYqh8bZo But it’s not necessarily a “how to install a solar system” video. We have a pretty small system. We live off a 2000 w system. We use about 1-5% of the power that most people use. 😊. If you don’t get your questions answered there, we’re happy to answer any questions you have. You can just post a comment and we’ll answer back. 😊

[@seangholipour3884]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska one more question, is there any kit for this generator to make it possible to use natural gas instead of propane?

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

@@seangholipour3884 no, there isn’t one for this one. I believe there are for the larger Firman generators, but not this one

[@arsenkazydub]

Thank you for the tips! My problem is that I need a generator only in winter to heat the house. While most of the generators on the market should be used above 40F. At least they write so in the documentation. So if I understood correctly, the only difference I must care about when using the generator in winter and in summer is oil?

[@arsenkazydub]

And a few questions about your Firman generator. 1. What was the coldest temperature when you used it? 2. Was there any mention in the documentation about the temperature range of use? First of all, I'm interested in the minimum temperature.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hi Arsen. Thanks for watching! I have not seen any minimum temperature recommended for this generator. We started running it in April of this year, so the lowest temperature it has run in is about 0° F/-18°C. We get much colder than that here, and I have run similar generators down to -40°! There are two main things to do to get ready for cold weather operations. 1) When it is staying below freezing, change the oil from 10W-30 to 5W-30. It will start easier and offer better protection while it is running but hasn’t warmed up yet. 2) There is a tube that runs from the valve cover into the air box that re-runs the escaped gases from the valves through the engine. It needs to be removed from the valve cover to prevent it from plugging up with ice. Watch the video from 9:35 and I explain it. Let me know if that doesn’t make sense. I am going to be posting a follow up review video on this generator in the next week or so. I’ll let you know here when I post it!

[@arsenkazydub]

So you recommend to pull out the tube only during extremely cold weather, while -18°C is considered as perfectly normal temperature in Alaska? :) I live in eastern Europe (Ukraine), and temperature falls below -18°C very rarely. And I'd be the happiest man if my future generator runs smoothly during such weather.

[@arsenkazydub]

One guy said that the most dangerous thing to a generator in winter is a cold start. But when the generator is already on, it starts to heat itself by own temperature. Do you agree with such statement?

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

@@arsenkazydub Actually, we pull it out at the beginning of winter and put it back in the spring. We only put it back in the spring because it’s a little messy. It would be completely fine to leave it out all the time. Another tip I think might be helpful is that since the generator is our only power source in the winter and is crucial, we always have a backup generator ready to go. Hope that’s helpful. 😊

[@chg2799]

How has this generator held up for you..? How many hours do you have on it now..? I’m thinking about getting the same generator and was curious about the reliability and life span of it…

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend! Sorry it took us so long to get back to you. We just hadn’t need to start the generator till this morning. We checked the hour meter for you and we’re at 460 hours, still running like a champ. I hope that helps Have a great weekend and thanks for watching and commenting.

[@TurboDV8]

FYI on the air filter oh, I purchased two of these generators. In the maintenance section, and talks about cleaning the air filters out with warm water and mild detergent, drying it, and then reoil the foam. All fine and good, but the only problem is, as I was poking around in learning about my new generators before I ran them, I discovered that neither generator had any oil whatsoever on the phone. They were running the filters completely dry. This is horrible for engine longevity. If you buy one of these, oil the filter immediately

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Thanks for watching! I was wondering the same thing. When I first cleaned mine, the filter seemed really dry too. I thought maybe they didn’t put much on it. When I rubbed it down with a dry rag it came back with no oil on it at all. I guess it wasn’t just mine!

[@pauljandourek3260]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska I bought2 firman w2000i and both sponge air filter elements were bone dry. Also o in-line fuel filter, just screen in filler snout. Fuel filter almost impossible to add on. May not be best design

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey Paul, thanks for watching and commenting. I’m not familiar with the 2000 watt. Is it laid out the same as this one?

[@pauljandourek3260]

Air cleaner mounted opposite end of oil dipstick and low to belly pan. Can suck up light sand and dry brittle lawn clippings. Should be set up on a cake pan to get ample space from debris. Needs design change, just my opinion.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Yeah, that’s not great! This one has the air cleaner mounted farther up off the ground

[@pablolc7483]

How much oil did he install ?

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, we put in the entire bottle it came with. 😊

[@superspeeder]

Regarding oil. I use 0W-40 in my generators. 10W-30 is not good oil by modern standards, and even 5W oils are considerably thicker than 0W oils in extreme cold. It could make the difference between successful starting and not when it’s really cold, and could also mean less cold-idle issues (as reported by some people). A 40 weight oil might cost a percent of efficiency once it’s warmed up, but will maintain an oil film at higher temps better than a 30 weight will. 0W-40 has a much higher viscosity index than 10W-30 and will change viscosity much less with changes in temperature. It does cost more, but it’s a small premium depending on how often you change oil.

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Great info, thanks! I don’t know a ton about oil, so I just basically follow the manufacturer guidelines. I usually switch at the first oil change after it starts freezing at night. Would that be a good rule of thumb for the 0W-40 as well? Also, this would be good advice for all my small engines, right?(log splitter, saw mill, etc.)

[@superspeeder]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska I would think most small engine applications running 10W-30 would benefit from a 0W oil in the winter. 0W-40 certainly covers the viscosity range of the 10W-30 while being thinner when cold and thicker when hot. There might be some very specific use-case for sticking with 10W-30 where a 40 weight is too thick, but I doubt any small engines would fit that description. Some might argue that the Viscosity Index Improvers (VIIs) in the oil will break down faster in a 0W-40, but my gut tells me that most regular maintenance schedules on small engines are pretty conservative and don’t generally push the oil too far. If you’re nervous about it, no harm in following the manufacturer recommends, for sure. A 0W-30 oil would be a 100% safe bet as it still meets the 30 weight recommendation of the OEM while being thinner during cold starts. If you’re not finding your equipment hard to start in the cold then going to a 0W oil might not be worth the trouble. Just thought I’d share my thoughts. Cheers to you and your great content!!!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Thanks! I really appreciate the tips! I think I’m going to give it a try! And thanks for watching!

[@superspeeder]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska it would be interesting to time an oil change with some cold weather and do a before/after cold start and see what impact the 0W oil has. Might be a good idea for a follow-up video! Let me know if you decide to try it out, I’d be interested in your results and thoughts! If you have a DC current clamp meter you could measure the cranking amps from the battery 😉

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Cool idea!

[@kingdomfunding]

I love the generator but it does not last a whole night cooling the RV on gas. Eats propane like there is no tomorrow

[@gasoven3759]

Would you be more specific? 1. At what rate does this Firman go through propane? Hours of use for 20 lbs tank? 2. What items are pulling power? Refrigerator, A/C, coffee pot, etc... Thanks!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Yikes! We use ours only to charge the house batteries on our offgrid system if there’s no sun. We don’t use much A/C in these parts. We had our camper for 6 years before we knew what that big box thing on top was (the A/C unit) Ha!

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Hey friend, I wish we could give you a solid answer to this most excellent question, but we only use the propane when its too cold for the gas side to run at too notch, negative 20°F or colder. And we usually just swap it back to gas when the generator thaws out. Sorry we’re no help on that one. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@gasoven3759]

@@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska I was hoping the other guy (Kingdom Funding) would answer my question.

[@live2flyRC]

Ugh

[@FlatTireFarmHomesteadingAlaska]

Be blessed friend