I know nothing about generators

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by Big bob

That one has a half load 10 hour run time. And lights can flicker with the l load. Don't fill hot you have enough problems.

I would go ahead and change the oil it takes just over a quart.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

The schedule has been as stated below and going forward too. Assuming I get power back Tuesday.

2:00 PM Saturday - about midnight I noticed it went off.
8:30 AM Sunday - 6:00PM off for a little over an hour
7:00 PM Sunday - most likely run until 4:30 AM
I'll start it at 6:00AM tomorrow and it will run until 8:45AM and off for two hours
Start at 10:45 or 11:00 AM Monday and run until 8:00PM. 30 min rest to check and add oil.
Probably shut off around 5:30AM. Fill and start at 6:15AM

Will this ^^^ be risky?

If you bought an 8kW generator that is not 100% duty cycle capable, I'd be surprised. Especially at the loads you have mentioned. How big is tank? My 6.5kW portable ran 11 hours at reasonable home loads. I would never shut it down to check oil if it did not need gas.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

If you bought an 8kW generator that is not 100% duty cycle capable, I'd be surprised. Especially at the loads you have mentioned. How big is tank? My 6.5kW portable ran 11 hours at reasonable home loads. I would never shut it down to check oil if it did not need gas.

I'm not shutting it down. Those are estimated "out of gas" times.

Are you saying I'm pushing the limits?
I don't understand the "I'd be surprised" part.

The "Googler" says 6-18 hours max, then cool down/rest for a portable.

[markids77]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

All Honda powered generators I have seen include a low oil shutoff sensor. Even the Robin in my generator will supposedly see a low oil level and stop before it self destructs. Doesn't always work... ask me how I learned.....

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by markids77

All Honda powered generators I have seen include a low oil shutoff sensor. Even the Robin in my generator will supposedly see a low oil level and stop before it self destructs. Doesn't always work... ask me how I learned.....

If the cutoff works, can it still be damaged? If it's damaged, would I know right away.

It's running fine, but it did shutdown, ironically after my post. I put oil in it and fired back up.

[markids77]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

If the cutoff works, can it still be damaged? If it's damaged, would I know right away.

It's running fine, but it did shutdown, ironically after my post. I put oil in it and fired back up.

It is a Honda and they are excellent engineers and builders.... That said, you might not know for awhile yet if it hurt itself. Spinning parts that lose lubrication get hot, turn blue and eventually fail due to increased friction. It's a crap shoot, but it still runs so there's that.....?
EDIT: Start checking oil at each refueling... note if consumption increases; if yes you are Phucked, if no you dodged a bullet.

[LisaJohn]

Hope the generator holds up until power is restored. My guys hooked up with the welder so I could use the blowdryer and dry my hair when our power was out for a week.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by markids77

It is a Honda and they are excellent engineers and builders.... That said, you might not know for awhile yet if it hurt itself. Spinning parts that lose lubrication get hot, turn blue and eventually fail due to increased friction. It's a crap shoot, but it still runs so there's that.....?
EDIT: Start checking oil at each refueling... note if consumption increases; if yes you are Phucked, if no you dodged a bullet.

So this morning we hours, I looked up the capacity. It said 1.1 quart. I got a funnel and stated filling. Poured in the entire quart. Removed the funnel and it spit out a LOT of oil. I basically did an oil change. Pour in new oil, clean up old oil. It was only at the low limit which is a HUGE relief. The low level protection did its job. I checked it at the last fill up and it is full. Tomorrow I'll change the oil.

[Big bob]

Over filling it will kill it as well.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Aerovette

The "Googler" says 6-18 hours max, then cool down/rest for a portable.

Why would something be able to run for 12 hours, and then need a rest? They have overtemp and underoil protection at that size. They should be 100% duty cycle. Never had a portable that needed a "rest". Ran a 6.5kW nonstop for 5 or 6 days after a hurricane. Just add gas and check the oil. Only added oil one day in 6. You're not stressing it at all if it is reasonably sound. I'm surprised because I never had an air cooled generator that needed any down time.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Big bob

Over filling it will kill it as well.

With oil? Not possible. Full is when it reaches the lip of the dipstick hole. It will just spill out anything extra. Ask me how I know.

[Aerovette]

I got power back around 7:30 tonight.

Went to get generator gas and something for dinner. Came back and disconnected the generator and turned on the main breaker. AC has been running ever since and has not gotten to temperature yet. It was 89 upstairs and 82 downstairs. Now it's 76 up and 75 down.

[Aerovette]

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