Electric Power Outage

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 11:19 am

Good idea on the gas valve....maybe i'll start doing that. I do use the stabilizer and I run it about once a month long enough for the engine to get hot. I really like the Vanguard twin on it.

Its electric start, so I also put a battery tender on it in summer and I rotate the tender between the tractor and the genny in the winter a week at a time.

I was thinking yesterday when it was running that it is due for a oil and gas filter change out.

DENNIS BAUER · Post by **DENNIS BAUER** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 11:29 am

I've actually gotten really good about this kind of stuff. I switched to 91 octane non-ethanol and I treat everything that is going to sit. I also, if available shut the fuel off and run it dry. On the down side I didn't get these gensets when they were running so I'm not on the rebuild carb game to get everything up and running.

Big thing I've found is not using ethanol in the small motors. Not nearly the amount of issues.

corey · Post by **corey** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 11:51 am

I have 7000 watt gas generator we have lost powered for a week and half few years ago.

ottobody · Post by **ottobody** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 12:46 pm

Have a 15 kw generator that I had install 12 years ago after a hurricane left us without power for a month. It has an automatic transfer switch that starts the generator 2 minutes after the power goes out and shuts the generator off when the power comes back on. The generator runs on propane and I have 2- 150 gallon propane tanks to keep it supplied.

rberq · Post by **rberq** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 1:34 pm

DENNIS BAUER wrote:I switched to 91 octane non-ethanol and I treat everything that is going to sit.

The fuel stabilizer has made a big difference for me when the mowers have to sit. In fact, now I just put it in the gas can before filling the can.

Where do you get non-ethanol gas?

rberq · Post by **rberq** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 1:38 pm

ottobody wrote:Have a 15 kw generator that ... runs on propane and I have 2- 150 gallon propane tanks to keep it supplied.

How long will it run on those 300 gallons of propane?

ottobody · Post by **ottobody** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 2:01 pm

We ran for three weeks straight a few years ago when the power lines and transformers were damaged from high winds and used about 30% of the propane which is about 85-90 gallons. I would say 10- 12 weeks on 300 gallons depending on load.

DENNIS BAUER · Post by **DENNIS BAUER** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 2:28 pm

rberq wrote:
DENNIS BAUER wrote:I switched to 91 octane non-ethanol and I treat everything that is going to sit.
The fuel stabilizer has made a big difference for me when the mowers have to sit. In fact, now I just put it in the gas can before filling the can.

Where do you get non-ethanol gas?

A lot of the local gas stations offer it, I've never seen it in the local 7-11 or big name places but the small joints have it. It's getting more popular. There are 2 places in town that sell it out of the 3

rberq · Post by **rberq** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 6:37 pm

DENNIS BAUER wrote:
rberq wrote: Where do you get non-ethanol gas?
A lot of the local gas stations offer it, I've never seen it in the local 7-11 or big name places but the small joints have it. It's getting more popular. There are 2 places in town that sell it out of the 3

Hmmmm, I have never seen it in any station here, big or small.

Post by **Lightning** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 6:56 pm

It's out there, I've seen it on a couple pumps around here too.

It's getting more and more popular.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Wed. Feb. 17, 2016 8:14 pm

We were out of power too up here in Cuba for a few hours. as soon as I got home it was out, unplugged the stoves. went out and snowblowed for 1.5 hours, ours and some neighbors. power was back on when I came in and fired up the stoves.

I have a small UPS on the LL stove, only lasts 10-15 mins right now, small battery, would to update it to a larger battery bank. I do have a 3500watt generator if I need it.

davidmcbeth3 · Post by **davidmcbeth3** » Thu. Feb. 18, 2016 2:34 pm

rberq wrote:

Hmmmm, I have never seen it in any station here, big or small.[/quote]

Try local small engine or lawnmower repair shops .. most carry it .. for an insane amt.

grumpy · Post by **grumpy** » Thu. Feb. 18, 2016 2:40 pm

Where do you get non-ethanol gas?

http://www.buyrealgas.com/

http://pure-gas.org/

rubicondave33 · Post by **rubicondave33** » Thu. Feb. 18, 2016 5:59 pm

Our power used to go out frequently, so I found a nice 10kW portable generator to use with a manual transfer switch. Once I installed the switch and the cable plus ends, I have used it twice for the house. Funny how that all worked out.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Thu. Feb. 18, 2016 8:14 pm

Lightning wrote:It's out there, I've seen it on a couple pumps around here too. It's getting more and more popular.

This small engine fuel topic comes up here often.
It is not hard to buy ethanol free gas almost at every station around if you only buy high test and get it only in the winter.

Buy your small engine fuel (91 octane) in the winter time and then keep it sealed tight in it's container for use clear through to next winter when you can replenish your supply again. The idea of making sure to keep it good and sealed tight is that winter blends like to boil off octane when the fuel warms up.

Even though after some octane does boil off it is still without the dreaded ethanol. May as well use ole style stabilizer for just in case.

Ethanol content in all lower grades of gasoline at the pumps is at it's max from May 01 through September 15. When small engines are in max use.

Ever read the RVP gas sticker required by law on every pump?