Every September I break out my little genset, clean the plug and gap it, check the oil, top off the gas (alcohol free only, otherwise "maintenance" becomes a PITA), and any other maintenance it needs done. Then I start it and let it run for about 20 minutes or so (it's running right now).

If you haven't done yours, it's a relatively nice day to do so, and then you don't have to worry about it starting when you need it.

That is all, carry on.

Smart

I just got one that uses propane or gas. If I do use gas it will only be the ethanol-free stuff. (Stabil is a good way to destroy small engines)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sportsman-7 ... /204789149
https://www.pure-gas.org/
The generator listed is normally $1000, but I got it on sale for $650, but at $710 not bad.
Propane is not as efficient but you never have to worry about it going "bad".

Ha! Funny you mention that! We have 60 mph gusts on Flathead Lake today. 3-6 ft swells. This photo is the calm end of the lake.

Had mine fired up at 5am this morning, first time since the big move. Haven't lost power yet though the days not over! She is standing by should we need it.

I hear you are in for a big storm this weekend Brian, time to hunker down?

Video of the calm side of the lake today.

Thank you for the reminder! I definitely need to do that, especially after seeing what happened when Imelda came through.

Good reminder. I took mine out and fired it up after seeing this thread.

I'm surprised people don't fire up the jenny more often.... I run mine at least every other month, if not each month. I figure its good to move the oil around.... and since it gets used so infrequently, I feel good about the money I spent on it to hear it run once awhile. Makes me happy when it starts up on the first pull when I remember the 3 key things - open gas valve, turn on switch, CHOKE..... forget one and it can be a challenge.

For what its worth.... I saw a vid that said Seafoam is superior to Stabil for treating gas. I don't use anything myself - never had a problem in 15+ years with any of my engines.

It's that time of year boys & girls.

Just checked mine (we need it for a function this afternoon), and it wouldn't start. Huh? That's not like this genset. Went to take the spark plug out, and it wasn't even finger tight in the hole, I could spin it out. Must have vibrated loose last time we used it.

Anyway, took the plug out, cleaned and gapped it, put it back in (with a bit of extra force), and started on the first pull, as it should. Let it run for 20 minutes or so, and chained it into the bed of the truck with the tailgate locked. If someone wants it, they can still get it, but they're going to have to work for it in full view of my neighbors and my front windows.

Are your gensets ready for the change in the weather?

Done!

We finally got our home wired with a 2nd fuse box and bought a propane / gas generator, 12,000 watts. I have one 100 lb tank of prop and plan to buy another tank before the election.

We are in prepper mode right now, canning, drying fruit, buying all sorts of backup supplies to bump up our SHTF supplies to 6 months for 2 people (from 3 months)

Funny timing. We had the Xformer fuse on our service pole pop on Friday. PSE was out and had it replaced in an hour and 20 minutes! That's pretty impressive, I think.

Was down in Oly yesterday at my Dad's old place. My brother lives there now. We drug out the generator. Had to degunk the carb and fuel lines, courtesy plug change, got it humming and ready for the winter power outages. Tested the back up septic DCV septic system pumps too, so he should be good to go.

I wish I had one of those little red honda generators...


Oh wait! I do!

Thank you Sporkboy, Dan360, and Traut!!!


And I have it running fine, now. New carb. Thing runs perfect!



Guess I'll be subscribing to the annual check. Maybe even make it bi-annual.

Also buying non-ethanol gas for it. New source for that, locally.

Thanks for the reminder. Done and mine works although had to do it manually as the electric start battery was low. Also found a cracked gas can, stupid plastic came apart at the seem on the handle. Explains why I kept smelling gas well after it should have aired out and evaporated off in my storage space.