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Another generator thread

Started by garana, Jan 25, 2008, 11:02 AM

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garana

All this generator talk makes me wonder. I don't think my generator is running correctly.

I

austinado16

I would sure take it in while it's under warranty.  I can't imagine a Honda generator not running quiet and perfectly smooth.  Probably just carburetor settings for fuel mixture that need to be dialed in.

wavery

A few  things to check before you take it in:

1. Make sure that the choke is closed.
2. Make sure that the fuel cap is switched to
   "On" so that it is venting.

When the "Echo-throttle switch" (on the front panel of the generator) is turned to "ON", the motor should idle slow and quiet until there is a load placed on it. Try turning that switch to "ON" and plug in a lamp with a 100w bulb. The engine should accelerate slightly and run at a smooth steady speed until you turn the light off.

Then try plugging in something with a heavier load, like a small electric heater. The engine should accelerate to near full speed, then run at speed steadily.

As long as the load doesn't change, the engine should run at a constant RPM.

garana

Well I tried all of those before. At high choke it won't even run. I know it's not an altitude issue as I am at 700' sea level. It looks like my unit was not set properly from the factory. It's functional but not running as well as it should be. I

garana

Well I found out why my eu2000 ran so poorly. There was water in the gas tank!

 :mad:

I store my generator with fuel in my garage. I live in So-Calif in a dry climate. I run the generator every few weeks. I use fresh fuel. I've only had this for only about 5 months. So how do I get water in the fuel system? I have not had this problem with other gasoline powered equipment I own.

Recumbentman

Well that was a simple fix. glad it was nothing major. I know in my life there has been more then one time that I have gotten bad gas from a dealer,
it happens.  ;)

wavery

Quote from: garanaWell I found out why my eu2000 ran so poorly. There was water in the gas tank!

 :mad:

I store my generator with fuel in my garage. I live in So-Calif in a dry climate. I run the generator every few weeks. I use fresh fuel. I've only had this for only about 5 months. So how do I get water in the fuel system? I have not had this problem with other gasoline powered equipment I own.
Sorry but that doesn't sound right to me. Water in the gas will cause a "NO RUN" condition. It's not that it will run poorly....it won't run at all. Just a few drops of water and your done, it won't run.

Now.......old gas may cause that condition. It's never a good idea to store your small gas engines with fuel in the carb. It's best to run the engine until it runs out of gas, then set the choke and try to start it again. That way you are sure that there is no gas in the carb. Any gas left in the carb for more than 1 or 2 months will start turning to varnish. The engine won't run very good on varnish. At some point, it won't start at all (usually over 4 months).

garana

"It's never a good idea to store your small gas engines with fuel in the carb. It's best to run the engine until it runs out of gas, then set the choke and try to start it again. That way you are sure that there is no gas in the carb."

Good idea.

The mechanic stated there was visable signs of water in the fuel system. The generator did run. I checked my fuel can for water but found none. I'm at a loss for this.

I guess I'll empty the tank after each run.

I'm also going to change the service station I go to for gas!

wavery

Quote from: garana"It's never a good idea to store your small gas engines with fuel in the carb. It's best to run the engine until it runs out of gas, then set the choke and try to start it again. That way you are sure that there is no gas in the carb."

Good idea.

The mechanic stated there was visable signs of water in the fuel system. The generator did run. I checked my fuel can for water but found none. I'm at a loss for this.

I guess I'll empty the tank after each run.
I can't imagine what "visable signs of water in the fuel system" means unless he may be referring to some rust spots in the tank or rust in the fuel filter. That could (and most likely did) happen during production. You should not be held responsible for that, I hope that he didn't make you pay for that bit of wisdom. If there is any "visable signs of water in the fuel system" I would think that Honda should pay to have your fuel filter changed, at the very least.

Trust me, if there was ANY water in the carb, the engine would not run. Water doesn't burn and it doesn't mix with gas. If you put 1 drop of water in a glass that is filled with gas, you will see that drop of water sitting in a ball at the bottom of the glass. That is exactly what happens in your carburetor. If that ball of water gets sucked up in the jet, the engine will instantly shut down. It won't run rough or start & stop, it won't run period. Fuel and water do not mix....absolutely impossible.

When I camp, I only put a small amount of fuel in my Honda EU2000 at a time, unless I am going to run it for several hours non-stop. Like if it's hot out and I run the AC. That way, I don't have to worry about taking it home and leave it run in the garage for hours just to burn the gas out of it.

That engine will run for 15hrs @ 1/4 load and up to 24 hours on no load, on a tank of gas. If you are just going to run it for 4 hours to charge your batteries, you only need about 1 qt of gas in the engine. If you put in 2qts (1/2 tank) you will find yourself leaving the thing running in your driveway for 6 hours to burn the other qt. unless you hook up a small electric heater to up the load.

robpoe

Interesting to read the replies .. let me inject something else.

I have a 5000W Coleman Powermate (I think) Pro or something of the like.  It's had the same 5 gallons of gas in it for WELL over a year (probably inching up on 2 years)!  However, I am a firm believer in Stabil (a fuel stabilizer) and also of not opening the tank any more than necessary.

I *do* close the fuel valve and let the generator "run out" of gas in the carb, then I set the choke all the way and pull it about 5-10 more times to make sure it's all out.  

Before I start it, I open the lid, take a quick whiff, and if it smells like "gas" should .. then I open the valve and 2 pulls later it's running.

Now, with the Classic Wing Club, the consensus is that you should leave the gas IN the carbs, because with stabilizer in it, more will evaporate less quickly (think volume of gas to air).  Little bits will evap more quickly leaving deposits and the like..

YMMV of course!

aw738

IMO using a stabilizing product is better than draining. An empty fuel tank is more apt to rust than a full one. Air space in a tank will allow the tank to sweat. Also carb parts will dry out. The reason an engine won't run with water in the fuel tank is because the water won't go through the fuel filter. Mix a little Isopropyl alcohol and the water will mix with the gas and travel through the filter burn in the combustion chamber and be a memory. At least in my area all the gasoline is mixed with 10% ethanol so I don't know if adding alcohol is even necessary. Also my boss a former gas station manager told me that all station gas tanks are required to have a monitoring system for water. If they still use a wooden stick to measure the fuel level they add an indicator chemical that is put on the stick shows if they have water in the fuel. If it is found it is dealt with at that point.

wavery

Quote from: robpoeInteresting to read the replies .. let me inject something else.

I have a 5000W Coleman Powermate (I think) Pro or something of the like.  It's had the same 5 gallons of gas in it for WELL over a year (probably inching up on 2 years)!  However, I am a firm believer in Stabil (a fuel stabilizer) and also of not opening the tank any more than necessary.

I *do* close the fuel valve and let the generator "run out" of gas in the carb, then I set the choke all the way and pull it about 5-10 more times to make sure it's all out.  

Before I start it, I open the lid, take a quick whiff, and if it smells like "gas" should .. then I open the valve and 2 pulls later it's running.

Now, with the Classic Wing Club, the consensus is that you should leave the gas IN the carbs, because with stabilizer in it, more will evaporate less quickly (think volume of gas to air).  Little bits will evap more quickly leaving deposits and the like..

YMMV of course!
This is correct. It's the smaller volumes of gas that will get you (like the carb bowl). Larger volumes of gas (like a full fuel tank) will take far longer to evaporate to the point that it will turn to varnish (often years).

However, not a lot of home generators are equipped with fuel shut-off valves in the fuel line. Now that you mention it, I may just try installing a fuel shut-off on my Honda EU2000i. I'll keep you posted, if I get to it :p . Everything in that service panel is pretty tight. I'm not sure that there is room for a shut-off valve.

Condensation in the fuel tank could be an issue in some areas (not in the SW US). However, if you are concerned about it, remove the fuel cap and put a rag over the opening when storing (to keep dust & insects out). That will stabilize the inside temp with the outside temp. It is the temperature difference that causes the condensation.

Water can stop the fuel in some small engine fuel filters that are mounted in a horizontal plain. However, in most cases, the fuel filter is very small and mounted vertically, allowing the water to pass straight through. It is the larger, horizontal mounted filters that may gather enough water to not allow the lighter fuel to pass on a gravity fed system. That is because the filter may accumulate enough water, over time, so that the fuel will accumulate on top of the water and be allowed to pass.

garana

I know water can pass through some gas filters. I don

wavery

Quote from: garanaI know water can pass through some gas filters. I don