Generator Running till dry?

[jedi]

So I've read on INGO that one should run your generator at least once a month for 10 to 15 mins to ensure that it is working and cause generators like to be run.

So my question is should the generator be run and say at the 15 minute mark, cut the fuel line (ie. turn off the fuel line value) so the generator continues until it runs dry will most likely sputter a few times before the motor spots.

Is this OK to do on the motor.
Or should one just turn it off and leave whatever gas may still be in the system. Note that gas is untreated fuel (no stabilizer) as I tend to add just a little bit so the generator runs for 10 to 15 mins.

Thanks

 

[CTC B4Z]

while running, shut petcock, than drain bowl on carb... should be a drain screw

 

[xfrostybeersx]

Jedi, it's fine to do that. Running the Gas out like that is best so all of the fuel is out of the Carb and it Doesn't "Gum Up". After it stops on it's own Pull the cord a few more times to ensure ALL of the Fuel is out. It's the Way I was taught when I worked at a Deere Dealership in High School

 

[jedi]

Geny has no cord. Its an auto start type with push button. So just re-start it that way.
Remeber boys and girl jedi is pc nerd not motor head

 

[HavokCycle]

running something out of fuel is only bad on electric fuel pumps.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I've been running generators as part of my power mix for over two decades now and I frequently run them dry. Never hurt one yet.

 

[Wild Deuce]

Seafoam

... also, I wouldn't start it under load ... just to be nice.

 

[actaeon277]

Should minimize starting or stopping under load. Bad for electrical equip.

Running outta fuel no problem.

I use stabil in mine. Don't keep too much in at a time.
2 gas cans. Rotate use. Use the gas in lawnmower and snowblower, keeps gas fresh.

I'm an instrument guy, so I have installed ...
Hour meter
Volt meter
Ampmeter
Freq meter

 

[MikeDVB]

I wouldn't stress that push-starter more than you have to as they're a common point of failure. That being said, it *should* have a reserve pull-cord on it somewhere. Starts can (and will) fail and you do still need to be able to fire it up.

 

[Dave Doehrman]

I keep my generator filled with Stabil treated gasoline and change out the gas every Fall. I drain the unit and dump the gas in my vehicle tank and burn it up with normal driving.

I start my unit every 3 months and let it run for 10-15 minutes. I put a load on the unit to make sure the electrical output is working and then I close the petcock and let it run until the unit dies. Mine is a manual start, but all I have to do is turn on the gas, pull out the choke and it usually starts on the first pull.

I have 6-7 five gallon gas cans that get filled up every Fall. I watch gas prices and fill them all when prices are lowest. I always add Stabil and use up the gas throughout the year in my mowers, blowers, chipper and tillers. The thing to remember is that in a major power outage or SHTF situation, local supplies of gas may be unavailable. A larger generator like mine can go through 6 gallons of gas in 8 hours of constant run. It could take 3-4 days to get power restored after a major storm.

 

[tackdriver47371]

We always do this with any of our small engines that offer up shutoff.

 

[churchmouse]

You will not really hurt it but it is OK and probably better to leave the carb wet or full of fuel. Just add some stabilizer and run it on a regular schedule.
I have stored everything from bikes, boats, cars, genny's and so on. If I can keep the bowls wet they seem to like it a lot more than being ran dry. If you shut the fuel off and the bowl evaporates dry it will leave enough crap behind as to plug up the jets. Not always but why run the risk. Stabilize and leave it wet.

 

[MikeDVB]

You will not really hurt it but it is OK and probably better to leave the carb wet or full of fuel. Just add some stabilizer and run it on a regular schedule.

Best to drain it if you can if it's going to be stored for 6+ months.

If you're going to fire it up every 3 months, I wouldn't bother.

On my motorcycle I always drained the carbs before storing it for the winter in addition to filling the tank with fuel and adding sta-bil.

Filling the tank helps prevent rust from forming on the inside of the tank, sta-bil keeps the gas fresh, and draining the float bowls helps make sure that they don't get gummed up and is a good idea regardless of whether you use sta-bil or not.

 

[jedi]

FYI thanks all for your comments.
I run the generator every 30 days.

 

[shibumiseeker]

FYI thanks all for your comments.
I run the generator every 30 days.

Then don't do a damn thing to it except keep it topped off with fresh fuel. It's not going to go bad at that rate.

 

[BKExpress]

I run mine for about 15 mins every 2 to 3 months. I keep stabilizer in it and have not had a single problem and have been doing this for 8 years or so with the same generator. It always starts right up. I also plug something into each socket just to draw a little electricity.

 

[churchmouse]

Best to drain it if you can if it's going to be stored for 6+ months.

If you're going to fire it up every 3 months, I wouldn't bother.

On my motorcycle I always drained the carbs before storing it for the winter in addition to filling the tank with fuel and adding sta-bil.

Filling the tank helps prevent rust from forming on the inside of the tank, sta-bil keeps the gas fresh, and draining the float bowls helps make sure that they don't get gummed up and is a good idea regardless of whether you use sta-bil or not.

I always had gravity fed bikes not positive shut off valves that required a vacuum signal to allow fuel to pass so I left them wet. I also rode when possible even in the winter (hang over ride on new years day etc.) so I guess the ritual is different for everyone based on usage.
Even my race cars were started at least monthly in the winter to keep everything wet and they did well for the attention.

True if you are doing a 6 month deal. The specifics are much different.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Then don't do a damn thing to it except keep it topped off with fresh fuel. It's not going to go bad at that rate.

Yep, what he said. Run it dry for extended storage only.

 

[MikeDVB]

I always had gravity fed bikes not positive shut off valves that required a vacuum signal to allow fuel to pass so I left them wet. I also rode when possible even in the winter (hang over ride on new years day etc.) so I guess the ritual is different for everyone based on usage.
Even my race cars were started at least monthly in the winter to keep everything wet and they did well for the attention.

True if you are doing a 6 month deal. The specifics are much different.

Mine have always had a petcock, so I just left it running and turned the petcock off. Once it died, I'd open the bowl drains and get what little bit was left.

Even if you don't have the vacuum line, you *should* still be able to turn off the petcock and shut off fuel, but I'm obviously not familiar with what you had.

So long as it worked for you, that's great . I'm just not a fan of pulling the carbs out to clean them more than necessary... When tuning the bike on the dyno I had the carbs out a dozen times adjusting jets and needles and such... That was enough for a while.

 

[Thegeek]

Stabilize the fuel and leave it full. Bottom of the paint can doesn't gum up because it doesn't dry out. Why would you want to dry out and varnish up the float, float needle or fuel passages. Keep it wet.