Honda Generator User Tips
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 16:10
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Recently purchased the Honda 2.0 generator for use on a caravan holiday. With all you knowledgeable people out there could someone give me any tips on it's use.
Thanks
Rossy
Reply By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 16:21
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 16:21
Yep
Dont leave the fuel in it unused for extended periods of time,it goes of !
Cheers
AnswerID:
356357
Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:02
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:02
Thats correct - if possible make sure the unleaded is not more than 3 weeks old. Once it goes stale it can damage small engines. I was warned of this by a Honda small engine mechanic when I brought my new Honda brush cutter. If its in a sealed drum it will last longer but once in an open can or drum it has a life of only 3 weeks.
Cheers,
GPM
FollowupID:
624477
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:37
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:37
Hiya Saharaman
Are you totally positive after 3 weeks its stale,does that go for my Honda 4 stroke Lawn Mower Too...
Cheers Mate
FollowupID:
624490
Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:48
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:48
Well Warfer I dont claim to be an expert on this topic but that is what the Honda small engine mechanic told me so I guess it would include lawn mowers as
well. It may last longer in a sealed drum but once in a mower fuel tank he definately said 3 weeks. As stated elsewhere in this post stale fuel is one of the biggest killers of small engines.
For the sake of a small amount of fuel its better to waste a bit and put fresh stuff in I reckon.
Cheers
GPM
FollowupID:
624494
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 22:02
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 22:02
Thanks for the quick response...I knew it went stale but i was more on the lines of 1-2 months,thats why i was surprised, the equipment is too $$$$$$ for the sake of throwing out small amounts of fuel as you stated...
Thanks a lot..
FollowupID:
624498
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 22:44
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 22:44
Sorry Saharaman another quick question,whats the best way to get the stale fuel out of the Honda Gen,What do you do ???
Cheers
FollowupID:
624511
Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Friday, Mar 27, 2009 at 07:57
Friday, Mar 27, 2009 at 07:57
Its no problem.
Mine is a large 6KVA Honda powered generator I use around my hobby
farm when I need power too far away from 240v source. It is in a type of frame with fuel tank on top - so I just pull off the little rubber hose that comes from the fuel tank to where it goes into the carburetta and hold a tin under it. Ive never bothered about getting every last drop out but get most out and and fill with fresh fuel if Im going to use it for a few hours.
With my Honda push mower and ride on being in Queensland I use them weekly with top up fuel anyway so its always fresh. Even in winter time I would still use the mowers for cutting a few weeds etc at least once every 3 weeks or so.
Cheers
GPM
FollowupID:
624550
Follow Up By: Member - Warfer (VIC) - Friday, Mar 27, 2009 at 10:17
Friday, Mar 27, 2009 at 10:17
**so I just pull off the little rubber hose that comes from the fuel tank to where it goes into the carburetta and hold a tin under it.***
"Bingo" thanks for that,Just hav to find it now on both units,never been mechanically minded really just been interested in Building...
Thanks once again..
FollowupID:
624583
Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 00:10
Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 00:10
The aging problem may be with E10, after 2 or 3 weeks sitting still the ethanol will seperate for the fuel, which may let the engine start on pure ethanol.
FollowupID:
625675
Follow Up By: Lenticular - Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 00:06
Sunday, Apr 05, 2009 at 00:06
Sorry for the late follow-up- I am amazed that someone can claim that petrol "goes off" after 3 weeks. I have a 20 litre container of petrol that I use in my (Honda) mower. I have a small lawn, don't really keep on top of it, essentially don't mow over winter and find that I need to refill the "mower can" about every 1.5 to 2 years or so. Just put the last of the can in the Honda today,and it started first time (as it always does) and mowed perfectly. I'm a chemical engineer and work in oil refining (over 23 years continuous service in technical and operations departments in 2 Refineries). Petrol does have "unsaturated" compounds which polymerise to form gums if subjected to high temperatures and contact with copper compounds which catalyse the reaction. Antioxidants are added to reduce this. Although petrol does have a shelf life, it is likely to be more like many months rather than weeks. Plenty of cars would be in big trouble if the petrol went off after 3 weeks.
Shaker- I am interested in your claim that E10 separates out after 2-3 weeks. Have you actually seen this happen ? If it does, then that is a serious problem for everyone who uses E10 (myself included). My knowledge of the compounds involved says that this should be impossible, but I'm happy to hear evidence to the contrary.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Fred G NSW - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 17:11
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 17:11
Best tip I can give you is don't use it after sunset if camping next to me.
AnswerID:
356363
Reply By: Member - Paul M (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 17:32
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 17:32
If not used give it a run every month for 10 minutes with a load on (I use a small electric heater on low with a fan.)
Fresh fuel, filter clean and regular oil changes will lengthen life.
Screw down the fuel tank breather and put the cut-off switch to ON after shutdown. :)
AnswerID:
356368
Reply By: Member - AJB (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 17:43
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 17:43
Fit an hour meter to it.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Joondalupgerry - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:21
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:21
Re assess your power needs, go solar and a bit of restraint and leave the Honda at
home.
AnswerID:
356400
Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:36
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:36
Hi Rossy - after 30 years camping without one, I have finally gone over to the dark side too.
The dealers advise to use standard unleaded, and not premium/vortex/etc.
My 5hp outboard states the same - never use premium unleaded.
Anyone know why small motors should only run standard?
(Perhaps they are not designed for the extra punch the higher octane provides.)
Also - a number of dealers state the most common repair is for stale fuel. Any fuel over 3 months old do not use.
regards....................Keith
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: ross - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:52
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:52
Generally you increase the octane level as you increase the compression ratio.
They run just fine on unleaded so I dont know why you would use anything else
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Reply By: Member - Smiley Bill - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:47
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 19:47
Hi Rossy,
Don't run it at night with other people nearby (you can't run them certain
places like N.S.W. national parks i believe), don't run it inside anywhere and keep it downwind of people, if it is not fitted with a R.C.D. (safety switch) use a lead with one fitted or portable R.C.D. for safety, Keep it clean and serviced and you'll get years out of it.
SB
AnswerID:
356409
Follow Up By: Member - John F (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 20:41
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 20:41
Regarding the RCD, does the generator need to be earthed for the RCD to be effective? I would have thought if using an earthed (ie 3 pin appliance with the earth pin connected) then you would need to earth the genny (as per the instructions in the manual), but not sure about the RCD.
Maybe a qualified person could enlighten us on this important question??
Thanks,
John.
FollowupID:
624464
Follow Up By: Member - Smiley Bill - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009 at 23:52
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009 at 23:52
Hi
John F,
If the generator is a recent unit, it should work with an R.C.D. because the internal windings form a star (earth) point.
If it is an older unit it probably wont be suitable for R.C.D. operation.
These days the Australian Standard for generators and Energy Safe Victoria are moving away from earthing generators with an earth stake and promoting R.C.D's as they operate much more quickly and are safer.
An older generator unit may be able to be converted to R.C.D. use by a qualified technician.
SB.
FollowupID:
625672
Reply By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 20:19
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 20:19
Make sure ya run it with a decent load (at least 75% of rated output) on a regular basis...
(during the day, and/or away from Fred G, of course;-)))
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"Member My Profile Send Message |
AnswerID:
356419
Reply By: Member - John F (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 20:31
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 20:31
Rossy,
Just bought one too. The dealer (Parsons, Gosford, NSW) said to run for 5 hours, not on eco, to run in, then change the oil.
They also sold me some
John Deere fuel stabiliser.
The manual gives detailed instructions for storing for a length of time(does not say for how long) - drain fuel from tank, carby and fuel pump and put a tablespoon of fresh engine oil into the cylinder after changing the oil. Leave engine at TDC.
Also agree with comment re hour meter. Dealer had a Sendec for $100, a bit rich, I thought, after some Googling research.
I agree with other comments re use in campgrounds - I will be most circumspect in that regard.
regards,
John.
AnswerID:
356427
Follow Up By: Member - Phantom (WA) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:32
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:32
Hey
John,
I was circumspect as baby. Hurt so bad I couldn't walk for about 2 years! lol
Steve
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Reply By: Member - T N (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:31
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:31
Take the muffler off, and
camp next to "a golden rivetter",
P.S turn off eco throttle after dark.
Enjoy!
AnswerID:
356451
Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:39
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 21:39
That's norty............................
;-)))
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"Member My Profile Send Message |
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - T N (Qld) - Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 23:07
Thursday, Mar 26, 2009 at 23:07
Yeah but!..........
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Mar 27, 2009 at 10:59
Friday, Mar 27, 2009 at 10:59
Take a spare spark plug with you...I got caught out the last time
AnswerID:
356551
Reply By: Bluespot - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009 at 21:54
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2009 at 21:54
I would include a can of CRC Contact Cleaner (the flamible one) in your spares list. approx $23-00 a can
We found that this product will clean out the very fine air/fuel holes in the carby if they get any blockages due dirty fuel etc.
We were in the middle of a 4 week trip and our honda started to run rough and surged a lot. Cleaned the jets in the carby with the CRC product and the engine ran smoothly again.
AnswerID:
357565