Generator noob... ?

C

chrissreef

Hi, what should I look for in a generator? brands, hookups, wattage info/tips would be great. I see some used 2500w for $175 but I don't know what questions to ask the seller.

I don't need to run the whole reef... but main pumps and heaters would be nice on the 280g+

Thanks!! =)
 
@chrissreef wrote:
Hi said:
Hi Chrissreef,
The main thing to look for would be about the same as looking for a lawnmower.
Check the oil level.
Check the Plugs
Check the air filter
Does it start easily?
How does it sound? Need a new muffler?
Does it look like its been taken care of? Stored outside or inside?
Does the guy selling it know how to use it...ask him "how do I.....?"

the other thing to check is the output. Its best to take a Volt Meter with you to check out voltage output at the outlet. It should be 120v +/- 10%. If its outside of the 10% range then I would stay away from it.

Also check for voltage between the ground prong on the outlet and the engine. One lead in the ground prong hole and the other on the engine.. should not be more than a couple of volts. Check it on the frame too.

Also take a hair dryer or 2 or 3 or some other small appliance (that you KNOW works) with you and plug it in...does it bog down the engine when you turn in on? It shouldnt bog it down.

If its perfect, 2500w/ 120v = 20.8 amps availability at the output. Figure worse case 3 or 4% loss for ext chords, splitters etc and this should give you a decent figure for amperage availability at the appliance usage point.

I hope this helps,
Dave
Click to expand...
 
Something I would want to know about a used generator would be how many hours was it actually used, and how often was it fired up. I have one in my garage that hasn't been used in 4 or 5 months, so a few days ago, I pulled it out of the garage and turned it on for 20 minutes. You don't want the gasoline to gum up the fuel lines and carburator.

I'd bought one used, and it was only used once. I used it two more times after that, but didn't turn it on monthly as recommended. That is what apparently fouled the lines, and the next time I needed it, not only could I not start it, but I broke off the fuel line from the gas tank trying to resolve the problem.

I had to buy a brand new one, but I was very glad I did. We didn't have power for 17 hours straight - and there's a thread about it here with the massive flooding Frank photographed that day.

http://www.dfwmas.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=30889&highlight=flooding

The next day, I took the broken one to Home Depot and asked them to just fix it. My plan was to get it back in good working order, and sell it here on the board to someone to help recoup some of the expense of the brand new one. However, Home Depot instead offered me a full refund of the old one, and applied it as a store credit to the brand new one. I ended up paying $160 for that replacement.

Something else that was recommended to me was to add fuel stabilizer to the gasoline, which I've done. You might ask the seller if they did the same, as the lack of it could affect how the generator works in the long run.
 
Hey Marc, (and everyone else).

Good point on the hours of usage......also,

In case you havent tried or dont know about this...

One thing that will help tremendously in preventing gum up of the carb and fuel lines when the generator is used for a while is Stabil. Its miraculous stuff.

It's a gasoline additive that prevents the gasoline compounds from seperating and the carbs gumming up. Available at any auto parts store.
Add it to the gas, crank up the generator, motorcycle, lawnmower or whatever and let the souped up gas get completely into the fuel system.

I put it in my lawnmower every fall and never had a prob since I learned about it.

Also another ingenius additive is Seafoam. In most cases, some seafoam into old gas does wonders for cleaning out fuel lines and carb jets. I use it mostly as a maintenance item...as the saying goes....a ounce of prevention...

Dave



Dave
 
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