Generator Break In And Maintenance 101

[@LordRocco777]

Doing your protocol now! Doing 30 min, 1 hour, 1 hour with load. Thank you!

[@thetechieprepper]

Awesome! I've seen so many fail from lack of proper break in and/or lack of use. If you're going to spend the money, may as well take care of it.

[@DamfinoMR2]

My dad shared your video with me. We both just got 9500/7500's since our power grid is ass. Thanks for the tutorial sir!

[@thetechieprepper]

Awesome! I love mine. Make sure you exercise them from time to time. It's hurricane season where I live and am scheduled to run mine this weekend. The neighbors will be happy!

[@thetechieprepper]

You're very welcome! I've seen too many people trash perfectly good generators because they weren't educated.

[@condor5635]

Great video. I don’t take mine out every three months. I think that’s excessive. I run mine dry of fuel. I drain the carburetor area of fuel by removing that drain bolt. I even drain the oil put it in an empty Gatorade container that is strapped to the generator. It’s pre-measured so it’s very easy to just fill it up. Put some gas in it and crank it. I’ve had it sit for 8 to 10 months and it starts on the first pull. Never have any fuel issues. Thanks for the break in. Suggestions they’re good.

[@thetechieprepper]

Thanks! Up until recently, I managed a fleet of much larger generators and have seen so many fail even after sitting dormant for just a few months. Generally they will start and run, but won't hold a load consistently. I may go above and beyond what most think is necessary, but I've definitely found that the failure rate decreases and the service life is lengthened when they are exercised "regularly." Now, that "regularly is up to each individual and what makes them feel comfortable. Take care and be safe!

[@richardb2975]

Always a good idea to use a magnetic drain plug.

[@davidross4036]

Well-done. Thanks for this. Just got my 15000-12000 after a long outage. Appreciate the time and effort you took - it’ll save me grief!

[@thetechieprepper]

Yes sir... I can't count the number of generators I've seen put to pasture due to inactivity. In one local municipality alone, about a hundred were left out in the weather unattended for several years. All had to be sold as surplus.

[@obbzerver]

I like the idea of pre-lubing the cylinder by pulling the spark plug, shoot in a modest squirt of Lucas Oil Stabilizer, tipping the generator to various angles to get it to spread around then with the spark plug out give it a number of slow pulls on the starter cord to move the piston - so you don't first fire it up on a dry cylinder.

[@thetechieprepper]

That's a great idea as well. I didn't mention it because that may be a bit daunting for most of the folks I know personally who buy generators when in panic mode. Thanks for sharing though...hopefully folks will see this and try it if they are up to it.

[@Hipiam]

Thanks for making this video. I didn't realize I needed to brake mine in. Gonna do it the right way, and heading to get some more oil!

[@thetechieprepper]

Glad I could help

[@riddles4237]

That’s why it’s always best to read your owners manual. It tells you about doing that

[@bruceontheweb]

Thorough video. Running mine for the 1st time. Thanks for the Techie Tips.

[@thetechieprepper]

Great to hear!

[@E85_STI]

So I have a Westinghouse 9500 DF and I’ve done break in and I just got my interlock installed on my house but my question is when putting a load like heat pump or AC I know to listen for bog down but is there anything I can see on the display to let me know what’s too much load? I have frequency, voltage, and hours but I know hours isn’t a factor for my question.

[@thetechieprepper]

You would likely see voltage sag (decrease on display) which is not necessarily good, but you don't want "sustained sag." Some equipment is more sensitive to voltage variations than others. What I would do is load it to 80-90% of its capacity. Write down the values on your display. When you hook up AC or Heat pump and see the values decrease below the values you recorded, shut it down immediately. Your AC may or may not run, but definitely not good for the generator long term.

[@john22359]

Whats your main (recommended) portable generator? Thanks for the great vids!

[@thetechieprepper]

You're welcome, thanks for watching! Depends on what you are going to do with it. Small Inverter - Honda or Yamaha Although there are some good cheaper models as well if you maintain/use them regularly. I have a Sportsman 1000 Which actually pumps out around 750 Watts. It runs and runs and wasn't very expensive so I beat the snot out of it without much worry. Harbor Freight Predators are actually fairly nice as well. Large Portable - Honda, Generac, Champion

[@stephenmaher1029]

Great video! Appreciate all the tips👍

[@samlenser8998]

Can synthetic oil be used for brake in our should it be conventional oil? If not can you switch to synthetic oil after the break in period?

[@thetechieprepper]

Sure, you can use synthetic oil for break in. I would only use that if I had a bunch laying around though. I would use cheaper conventional oil to save a few bucks since you are going to throw it out right after anyway.

[@dieseldawg7132]

I have always heard that for the rings to sit properly and for long term function you should always break in with non synthetic oil as well as add some oil like 2 oz above the piston and crank it a few time with out the spark plug to lubricator the upper o rings …. Most manufacturers recommend using regular oil tool you stop getting metal shaving

[@OLDSOLDIER6]

Are you happy with the quality of your Champion generator?

[@thetechieprepper]

Love it.... Had one receptacle wire shake loose, but was an easy fix. Handles big loads like the oven, etc. just fine.

[@OLDSOLDIER6]

@@thetechieprepper Good to know. That seems to be the consensus I've gotten from Champion genset owners.

[@redcanoe9810]

@@OLDSOLDIER6 They're considered cheap junk around here but probably some where they all are...

[@OLDSOLDIER6]

@@redcanoe9810 I hear widely different things about champions generators.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

Propane can be stored forever, gasoline has a relatively short shelf life even with stabilizers added. And IMHO it is safer to store, the propane can be used for my stoves and heaters! One type of fuel for several devices. Gasoline will be used when needed or is the only fuel available.

[@thetechieprepper]

Hey Winston! I've been busy lately...sorry for the late reply. Yes, I agree. I have multiple propane tanks on standby as I use them for portable grills and the generator if necessary. My strategy is to use gasoline as the first choice in my generators, and then (once stations are empty, taking time to replenish, etc.) fall back on the propane. Take care, and stay safe!

[@winstonsmiths2449]

@@thetechieprepper No worries. Also, I do not plan powering a whole-house, Fridge, lights as needed, powering comm and entertainment devices when needed. portable ac for small rooms, that is it.

[@domfer2540]

Tri fuel, break in with gas or propane ?

[@thetechieprepper]

I would use propane whenever possible... it burns cleaner. To be thorough and make sure all aspects of the generator are working properly after purchase you might want to try running on each type of fuel at least once though.

[@Stepuptothat]

Is that a sportsman 1000 ? I have the same one

[@thetechieprepper]

Yes, it is! That little thing was super cheap and runs like a tank. A relatively weak tank, but I love it for small jobs! It will run a 5k or 6k BTU air conditioner all night long. Good to have that where I live (South). You like yours? I think the price has more than doubled since I bought mine.

[@Jer-me7pj]

your champions leads were both gas only and I like to use propane

[@thetechieprepper]

I keep the adapter kit with the generator so I can run on propane if necessary... It's more difficult for me to access in an emergency, to store long term, and diminishes the power of the generator a bit under use. Nice to have the option though!

[@robbiecunningham22]

i'm searching for a convenient way to "put a load on it". i find the same mistake by publishers. you say put a load on it. however, no one describes examples how to put a load on it. loads vary. how much load meaning watt draw. plugging a light in doesn't draw much therefore will not load the generator much. my manual instructs to do this for 5 hours and vary the load to set the piston rings. so, how do i put a load on it and vary the load for 5hrs. i suspect no one has an easy answer and that's why the don't mention it. the other stipulation during break is to not exceed 50% of running watts. i don't have papers on every appliance for running watts to calculate volts x amps = watts. the manufacturer give specific instructions on what do, but not how to do it. therefore, i can't take it as serious as you say because my guess is most generators are never broke in correctly because most don't know how to get it done and yet the machine lasts just fine.

[@thetechieprepper]

Hi Robbie! I apologize for the late reply... but life happens. The best way I've found to put a load on a generator is with space heaters, hair dryers, and other household appliances. You can buy a Kill a Watt to measure the appliances and see how many watts they actually pull. Cycle the appliances on and off when attached to the generator to vary the load. During break in, I use a load equal to 20% of the max wattage of the generator. So, for a 1k generator, that would be 200 Watts. For maintenance (every few months), I load it with 50% of the max wattage. Once a year, it is good to run the generator with an 80% load. If you have a big generator, it can be difficult to find loads to hit that 80%. I hook my ~10k watt generator into the generator port for my house. We then cook dinner using the stove, etc. I can only share with you my experience from working with fleets of generators and seeing them fail consistently from lack of use/ regular maintenance. If people choose not to break them in correctly or exercise them regularly, that is their choice...and I'm cool with it. To Each their own.

[@whatsup7342]

I use a leaf blower

[@peterking1134]

Why would I not run propane all the time instead of gasoline? Seems easier to handle and maintain. You can store lots of propane without degradation.

[@thetechieprepper]

Hi Peter! There are pros and Cons to each type of fuel. Propane burns cleaner but has a lower energy density. It does not produce as much energy as gasoline when it combusts. If you can burn propane all of the time, I have no doubt your generator will last longer. The drawback is that you will produce at least 10% less power than you would with gasoline if using the same duel fuel generator. As far as cost and availability during an emergency...it might be a toss up depending on your specific situation/area. I primarily use gas, but have three 20lb tanks to run my generator if I ever need it.

[@peterking1134]

In my situation, I would run with minimum consumption so loss of 10% power is acceptable. What concerns me more is that propane is harder to ignite making it possibly problematic to start. In that case I was thinking of using starting fluid to get the generator going. I would make it simpler to add the starting fluid. Your thoughts?

[@thetechieprepper]

@@peterking1134 If your load fits well under your generator capacity while running on propane, I say use it. As far as starting on propane, if it's dual fuel, it should be designed to create enough spark to start using either type of fuel. I would only use starting fluid as a last resort and very sparingly. It can wash the protective layer of oil of the cylinder wall/rings and cause sudden wear. If used excessively it also has the potential to break internals Rings/Head). All that being said, I've been in situations where I've had to use it...mostly on my beat up old cars I bought as a teenager!

[@McNea]

gas has ethanol now so its bad for carbs. Propane is actually a cleaner fuel (purity wise) and will make your generator last longer.

[@thetechieprepper]

@@McNea Very True about the propane. you can also buy ethanol free gasoline at a lot of chain gas stations these days... a bit of a premium, but in a pinch.

[@westcan81]

You really need to put the pipe down, buddy. Step #1 STOP smoking Meth! Step #2 STOP giving FALSE information to people! Step #3 Seek Professional Help! 🙄