Oil Change for the Generator

One of our most important chores, since it keeps us running.

[@jimtetro3769]

Eva, As a fellow ID off-grider I would suggest you purchase 2 funnels: one large for your wqste oil container and a smaller one with a narrow, long funnel to be used to re-refill the generator. Would be a mininal cost but would make oil handling eaiser, and cleaner. Wish you well.

[@windyhomestead]

@@jimtetro3769 Not sure why I hadn’t thought of that, but thank you! Awesome tip. I sure appreciate the help, thanks again. Take care.

[@danteerskine7678]

I did a 30 min oil change for first break in, then proceeded with the second 5 hrs oil change, repeated this process until the generator reached 30 working hours. Notice that every time I did that, I strictly used mineral Diesel engine oil and drained the oil while it was still hot. But now that my generator is cleared of these metallic debris, i either fully drain the oil while the generator is off or I use a manual pump. In one way or another, my generator is already cleaned from the inside. My Total generator which is a Chinese brand recommend changing the oil with monograde engine oil or multigrade 10w40, 15w40 every 100 hrs but due to the lack of oil filter, I reduced that interval to only 15 hours, that means more oil change as the oil turns dark very quickly.

[@windyhomestead]

@@danteerskine7678 awesome!

[@bubbaredneck75]

yep...harbor freight gennys say that every 40 hrs u change the oil. when i was full time on it that ended up every 5 days. if u position the ratchet where its gunna loosen on the down stroke u should b able to just hit the end of it w yer palm and it should give. many a busted knuckles pulling up on it like that.

[@windyhomestead]

@@bubbaredneck75 Great advice on the ratchet! Thanks again friend.

[@gottagift]

My wife asks "How does she keep the thing from coming off of the thing?"

[@windyhomestead]

@@gottagift I love your wife. Lol. Just need the right size thing and then the thing stays on 😂