Honda Generator User Tips

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

Hiya Saharaman

Are you totally positive after 3 weeks its stale,does that go for my Honda 4 stroke Lawn Mower Too...


Cheers Mate

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

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..

Sorry Saharaman another quick question,whats the best way to get the stale fuel out of the Honda Gen,What do you do ???


Cheers

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

**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..

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Hey John,
I was circumspect as baby. Hurt so bad I couldn't walk for about 2 years! lol

Steve

That's norty............................

;-)))

Yeah but!..........