Transporting your generator

[highdesertranger]

yeah that will work, then run it until the carburetor runs out of gas. highdesertranger

 

[Happy Camper]

yeah that will work,  then run it until the carburetor runs out of gas.  highdesertranger

Just make a few stickers that say something along the lines of "porta potty", "add compost here" and "only dump at approved sites". Also add a website sticker to a known portable toilet maker. Even a crackhead doesn't want to steal someones poop...

 

[VanGirl]

Yes, Bob. My Honda 2000i I leave the vent on the gas cap open while running, open while I let it cool down after turning the generator off, then I close the vent on the gas cap, cover the generator to hide it with a black garbage bag, and put the generator away on a level surface in the window well of my minivan on the passenger side on the floor. The gas cap is on tight. I wedge the seat to lock it in between the dash and the seat, so it is not moving.

I have carried my Honda 1000i for 275k miles with the vent closed and placed near the sliding door well. I have never had a problem.

VanGirl

 

[Happy Camper]

Just make a few stickers that say something along the lines of "porta potty", "add compost here" and "only dump at approved sites". Also add a website sticker to a known portable toilet maker. Even a crackhead doesn't want to steal someones poop...

I meant to say to add these to your outside boxes if you need to have one. Not to your van in general lol

 

[highdesertranger]

ha ha ha happy camper. I figured that's what you meant. have you ever been to Happy Camp, CA. seems like a must for someone with your handle. oops I meant screen name. highdesertranger

 

[Happy Camper]

ha ha ha happy camper.  I figured that's what you meant.  have you ever been to Happy Camp, CA.  seems like a must for someone with your handle.  oops I meant screen name.  highdesertranger

I've never even heard of it  :blush: . I do need to get out and do some looking around now that I picked up a van a couple months ago for work.

 

[GrantRobertson]

It's a chemical stabilizer that keeps the gas from breaking down and gumming up your engine, especially the carb or injectors.

They guarantee gas will be good for a year if properly treated. All gas has always broken down over time, but the ethanol in today's gas makes it much worse because it readily absorbs moisture. Stabil prevents both.

Bob

I worked at Love's this spring. Not a day went by without someone complaining that the lawn mower or strong trimmer they bought last year wouldn't start this spring. Every time it was because they hadn't used Stabil.

 

[GrantRobertson]

recyclables. Crap no one would bother stealing.

I wouldn't label it "Recyclables" people do steal recyclable aluminum.

 

[GrantRobertson]

Bolt the generator to the back rack using tamper-proof bolts (or pin the bolts in place with a center punch). Then hack the bottom out of a crappy old cooler you got at thrift store and bungy-cord that down over the cooler, then put those stickers about the cooler containing composting manure. That aughta do it.

 

[Belinda2]

VanGirl,
I think LeeRevell is right on about the ethanol.

 

[darude]

Do the yamahas have problems with leaking out odors??

 

[WheelEstate USA]

My friend said he never smelled a thing from his in the last 2 years.
That's all I know, except they are pretty quiet, as generators go.

 

[ZoNiE]

ummm... I used to run my outboard out of gas for decades. The 2 stroke oil helped keep things lubricated in the carbs.

I don't do it for my Generator (Honda EV4010). The newer materials in the carbs and the alcohol in the fuel cause them to dry out and fail. It is recommended to run the genny every few weeks.

The ONE time I went 2 months without running my generator, I had to rebuild the carb.

Sta-bil is your friend.

 

[darude]

My friend said he never smelled a thing from his in the last 2 years.
That's all I know, except they are pretty quiet, as generators go.

iv'e been eyeing down the Yamaha is2400 I belive that it is. since it has a higher wattage and amp output than the Honda EU2000 after the surge

 

[Morgan]

If you store a small generator (ie Honda 2000) in a large sealed plastic bag - once the engine is properly coooled) wouldn't that do the trick to keep the fumes from going into the passenger compartment?

 

[Malamute]

I transport mine on a hitch mounted carrier rack in a wood box with side vent. Been OK for a couple years of summer use.

Any newer small engine shouldnt be hurt by ethanol fuel, older stuff made before it was common, no telling. I choose to avoid ethanol fuel when possible, I also just fill up my gen and 1 gal cans wherever I am when I need fuel also. Ive left my gen from oct to april twice with zero prep, it took about 8 pulls to start, but thereafter was a 1 pull start the rest of the season.

Ive used a 30 gal drum of fuel that was left without sta-bil up to 6 years (pre-ethanol), it smelled a bit funky but ran when mixed with good fuel 1/3 old-2/3 fresh. Ive left my stihl chainsaw up to a couple-3 years or so, it took longer to start but ran fine after it did. Ive fueled it from the same can I used before storing it and it was also fine. I believe the 2 stroke oil helps in that regard. Ive never done any prep on it nor ever been in the card since it was new in the mid 1990s. I think the whole "OMG fuel goes bad if you turn your back on it" thing is vastly overplayed.

Oh, my suburban has sat for 4 years, i charge it and start it a couple times a year (maybe), it still starts and runs on the same fuel that was in it when I parked it when the transmission died.

 

[bullfrog]

Even Harbor Freight requires an ethanol treatment additive be used if running gasoline containing ethanol.