True North wrote:
Just stopped my Honda generator after a full hours run under load.
Appears that all is right with the world.
Thanks to everyone who commented and offered suggestions etc.
I'm ready now if we get that 4th NorEaster predicated for us.


The question is will it start in 6 hours.

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:19:16 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:59:36 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Mr. Luddite

- show quoted text -

"Don ... suggest you do another test for at least half an hour.*

Start it up and let it run with the Eco mode "on" *and with *no**
load on the generator.*

Reason?*

You've suspected that it was flooding. *Running it under a*
load may cause it to use all the gas the float and bowl can*
deliver ... so it didn't flood.*

Running it for at least a half hour ... maybe an hour to compare*
apple to apples *will not draw anywhere near as much gas. *If the*
float or something is screwing up it might flood again."*



Just came in. I ?an the Honda for an hour on Econo Mode with no load.
When I first switched over to Econo Mode it almost stumbled for a second but then ran flawlessly. Hopefully I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

Yup, lets just say there was something that needed "breaking in" ;-)
Since this thing is so cheap to run, you might as well run it a few
more times over the next couple of months to increase your confidence
factor. I still think running it dry and storing it that way is best
but if not, be sure you stabilize your gas. One of the things I like
about my old briggs is the gas tank comes right off with a quick
disconnect fuel line connector that shuts off the gas and 4 thumb
screws. When I am done, I can shut off the gas, run it dry and empty
the tank in my boat.

There is a youtube vid showing a guy who installed a petcock in the gas line of the little Honda.
Good idea. I wish Honda had done something like that. I suppose one could pour out the gas and then
let it run 'til dry. But starting it once a month or so is not that hard.

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:54:25 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/16/2018 4:31 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 13:40:59 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:51:26 -0700 (PDT), True North wrote:

Just stopped my Honda generator after a full hours run under load.
Appears that all is right with the world.
Thanks to everyone who commented and offered suggestions etc.
I'm ready now if we get that 4th NorEaster predicated for us.

Put on your calendar to crank that thing every few weeks. I have it in Outlook. Every four weeks I
get a reminder.

I hope that's not true because mine sat 10 years without running
before Irma, it started on the 2d pull and I don't plan on starting it
again until the next hurricane ... but it is running propane ;-)
Actually I do plan to crank it up for a project we are doing at the
boat ramp but I will be running on a 20# propane bottle.
I also have a few little things I want to do with it too, like extend
the oil drain port out far enough so I can drain the oil and not spill
it everywhere. I also want to put an hour meter on it. I may go ahead
and spin up 180 hours or so on it from wall power to be more correct
tho. Once I get everything right, we probably won't have another power
failure for another 10 years. I already put the loops in the inlet box
so I can quickly check the running amps with my clamp. I also set up a
variac to boost the voltage to the fridge in the house. It was a
little cranky about the 110 volts it was getting at the end of the
line. I still need to swap a couple of breakers around to get that off
the same phase as the one in the tiki bar.
I guess I have to get to work ;-)



I use an older version of this to measure voltage and current on the
devices I power with the generator. Also displays watts and kilowatt
hrs. BTW .. the Honda puts out 124.5 volts (no load) and 120 volts full
load. Not bad.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71KD5T1jaNL._SL1500_.jpg

I mentioned that someone just gave me a larger, contractor type
generator. Along with it she gave me a five gallon jug of gas that she
says is about 2 or 3 months old. Obviously she wouldn't have known to
add Sta-bil or anything to it.

Don't know what I am going to do with it. I thought about mixing it in
with the gas in my truck but I found out it's very difficult to fill
it from a jug due to the anti-siphon devices they put in trucks and cars
today. It really requires a nozzle to be inserted well into the fill
line otherwise it backs up and spills all over the place. Nothing is
simple anymore.


What make and model is the generator?

On 3/17/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:19:16 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:59:36 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Mr. Luddite

- show quoted text -

"Don ... suggest you do another test for at least half an hour.

Start it up and let it run with the Eco mode "on" Â*and with *no*
load on the generator.

Reason?

You've suspected that it was flooding. Â*Running it under a
load may cause it to use all the gas the float and bowl can
deliver ... so it didn't flood.

Running it for at least a half hour ... maybe an hour to compare
apple to apples Â*will not draw anywhere near as much gas. Â*If the
float or something is screwing up it might flood again."



Just came in. I ?an the Honda for an hour on Econo Mode with no load.
When I first switched over to Econo Mode it almost stumbled for a second but then ran flawlessly. Hopefully I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

Yup, lets just say there was something that needed "breaking in" ;-)
Since this thing is so cheap to run, you might as well run it a few
more times over the next couple of months to increase your confidence
factor. I still think running it dry and storing it that way is best
but if not, be sure you stabilize your gas. One of the things I like
about my old briggs is the gas tank comes right off with a quick
disconnect fuel line connector that shuts off the gas and 4 thumb
screws. When I am done, I can shut off the gas, run it dry and empty
the tank in my boat.

There is a youtube vid showing a guy who installed a petcock in the gas line of the little Honda.
Good idea. I wish Honda had done something like that. I suppose one could pour out the gas and then
let it run 'til dry. But starting it once a month or so is not that hard.



There *is* a way to drain the gas from the bowl, provided by Honda.

On 3/17/2018 7:27 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:54:25 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/16/2018 4:31 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 13:40:59 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:51:26 -0700 (PDT), True North wrote:

Just stopped my Honda generator after a full hours run under load.
Appears that all is right with the world.
Thanks to everyone who commented and offered suggestions etc.
I'm ready now if we get that 4th NorEaster predicated for us.

Put on your calendar to crank that thing every few weeks. I have it in Outlook. Every four weeks I
get a reminder.

I hope that's not true because mine sat 10 years without running
before Irma, it started on the 2d pull and I don't plan on starting it
again until the next hurricane ... but it is running propane ;-)
Actually I do plan to crank it up for a project we are doing at the
boat ramp but I will be running on a 20# propane bottle.
I also have a few little things I want to do with it too, like extend
the oil drain port out far enough so I can drain the oil and not spill
it everywhere. I also want to put an hour meter on it. I may go ahead
and spin up 180 hours or so on it from wall power to be more correct
tho. Once I get everything right, we probably won't have another power
failure for another 10 years. I already put the loops in the inlet box
so I can quickly check the running amps with my clamp. I also set up a
variac to boost the voltage to the fridge in the house. It was a
little cranky about the 110 volts it was getting at the end of the
line. I still need to swap a couple of breakers around to get that off
the same phase as the one in the tiki bar.
I guess I have to get to work ;-)



I use an older version of this to measure voltage and current on the
devices I power with the generator. Also displays watts and kilowatt
hrs. BTW .. the Honda puts out 124.5 volts (no load) and 120 volts full
load. Not bad.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71KD5T1jaNL._SL1500_.jpg

I mentioned that someone just gave me a larger, contractor type
generator. Along with it she gave me a five gallon jug of gas that she
says is about 2 or 3 months old. Obviously she wouldn't have known to
add Sta-bil or anything to it.

Don't know what I am going to do with it. I thought about mixing it in
with the gas in my truck but I found out it's very difficult to fill
it from a jug due to the anti-siphon devices they put in trucks and cars
today. It really requires a nozzle to be inserted well into the fill
line otherwise it backs up and spills all over the place. Nothing is
simple anymore.


What make and model is the generator?


Still in box but is this one. (even has electric start which is nice):

https://tinyurl.com/ydcbn25l

On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 07:42:13 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 7:27 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 16:54:25 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/16/2018 4:31 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 13:40:59 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:51:26 -0700 (PDT), True North wrote:

Just stopped my Honda generator after a full hours run under load.
Appears that all is right with the world.
Thanks to everyone who commented and offered suggestions etc.
I'm ready now if we get that 4th NorEaster predicated for us.

Put on your calendar to crank that thing every few weeks. I have it in Outlook. Every four weeks I
get a reminder.

I hope that's not true because mine sat 10 years without running
before Irma, it started on the 2d pull and I don't plan on starting it
again until the next hurricane ... but it is running propane ;-)
Actually I do plan to crank it up for a project we are doing at the
boat ramp but I will be running on a 20# propane bottle.
I also have a few little things I want to do with it too, like extend
the oil drain port out far enough so I can drain the oil and not spill
it everywhere. I also want to put an hour meter on it. I may go ahead
and spin up 180 hours or so on it from wall power to be more correct
tho. Once I get everything right, we probably won't have another power
failure for another 10 years. I already put the loops in the inlet box
so I can quickly check the running amps with my clamp. I also set up a
variac to boost the voltage to the fridge in the house. It was a
little cranky about the 110 volts it was getting at the end of the
line. I still need to swap a couple of breakers around to get that off
the same phase as the one in the tiki bar.
I guess I have to get to work ;-)



I use an older version of this to measure voltage and current on the
devices I power with the generator. Also displays watts and kilowatt
hrs. BTW .. the Honda puts out 124.5 volts (no load) and 120 volts full
load. Not bad.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71KD5T1jaNL._SL1500_.jpg

I mentioned that someone just gave me a larger, contractor type
generator. Along with it she gave me a five gallon jug of gas that she
says is about 2 or 3 months old. Obviously she wouldn't have known to
add Sta-bil or anything to it.

Don't know what I am going to do with it. I thought about mixing it in
with the gas in my truck but I found out it's very difficult to fill
it from a jug due to the anti-siphon devices they put in trucks and cars
today. It really requires a nozzle to be inserted well into the fill
line otherwise it backs up and spills all over the place. Nothing is
simple anymore.


What make and model is the generator?


Still in box but is this one. (even has electric start which is nice):

https://tinyurl.com/ydcbn25l

The thing gets good reviews. I'd put it on Craigslist for about $250.

On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 07:29:05 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:19:16 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:59:36 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Mr. Luddite

- show quoted text -

"Don ... suggest you do another test for at least half an hour.

Start it up and let it run with the Eco mode "on" *and with *no*
load on the generator.

Reason?

You've suspected that it was flooding. *Running it under a
load may cause it to use all the gas the float and bowl can
deliver ... so it didn't flood.

Running it for at least a half hour ... maybe an hour to compare
apple to apples *will not draw anywhere near as much gas. *If the
float or something is screwing up it might flood again."



Just came in. I ?an the Honda for an hour on Econo Mode with no load.
When I first switched over to Econo Mode it almost stumbled for a second but then ran flawlessly. Hopefully I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

Yup, lets just say there was something that needed "breaking in" ;-)
Since this thing is so cheap to run, you might as well run it a few
more times over the next couple of months to increase your confidence
factor. I still think running it dry and storing it that way is best
but if not, be sure you stabilize your gas. One of the things I like
about my old briggs is the gas tank comes right off with a quick
disconnect fuel line connector that shuts off the gas and 4 thumb
screws. When I am done, I can shut off the gas, run it dry and empty
the tank in my boat.

There is a youtube vid showing a guy who installed a petcock in the gas line of the little Honda.
Good idea. I wish Honda had done something like that. I suppose one could pour out the gas and then
let it run 'til dry. But starting it once a month or so is not that hard.



There *is* a way to drain the gas from the bowl, provided by Honda.

Yes, that's easy. But would more gas enter the bowl from the lines once that screw was closed up
again?

On 3/17/2018 9:35 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 07:29:05 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:19:16 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:59:36 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Mr. Luddite

- show quoted text -

"Don ... suggest you do another test for at least half an hour.

Start it up and let it run with the Eco mode "on" Â*and with *no*
load on the generator.

Reason?

You've suspected that it was flooding. Â*Running it under a
load may cause it to use all the gas the float and bowl can
deliver ... so it didn't flood.

Running it for at least a half hour ... maybe an hour to compare
apple to apples Â*will not draw anywhere near as much gas. Â*If the
float or something is screwing up it might flood again."



Just came in. I ?an the Honda for an hour on Econo Mode with no load.
When I first switched over to Econo Mode it almost stumbled for a second but then ran flawlessly. Hopefully I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

Yup, lets just say there was something that needed "breaking in" ;-)
Since this thing is so cheap to run, you might as well run it a few
more times over the next couple of months to increase your confidence
factor. I still think running it dry and storing it that way is best
but if not, be sure you stabilize your gas. One of the things I like
about my old briggs is the gas tank comes right off with a quick
disconnect fuel line connector that shuts off the gas and 4 thumb
screws. When I am done, I can shut off the gas, run it dry and empty
the tank in my boat.

There is a youtube vid showing a guy who installed a petcock in the gas line of the little Honda.
Good idea. I wish Honda had done something like that. I suppose one could pour out the gas and then
let it run 'til dry. But starting it once a month or so is not that hard.



There *is* a way to drain the gas from the bowl, provided by Honda.

Yes, that's easy. But would more gas enter the bowl from the lines once that screw was closed up
again?


Yes. One guy simply put a clamp on the line from the tank to the bowl.

On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 09:41:34 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 9:35 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 07:29:05 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:19:16 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:59:36 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Mr. Luddite

- show quoted text -

"Don ... suggest you do another test for at least half an hour.

Start it up and let it run with the Eco mode "on" *and with *no*
load on the generator.

Reason?

You've suspected that it was flooding. *Running it under a
load may cause it to use all the gas the float and bowl can
deliver ... so it didn't flood.

Running it for at least a half hour ... maybe an hour to compare
apple to apples *will not draw anywhere near as much gas. *If the
float or something is screwing up it might flood again."



Just came in. I ?an the Honda for an hour on Econo Mode with no load.
When I first switched over to Econo Mode it almost stumbled for a second but then ran flawlessly. Hopefully I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

Yup, lets just say there was something that needed "breaking in" ;-)
Since this thing is so cheap to run, you might as well run it a few
more times over the next couple of months to increase your confidence
factor. I still think running it dry and storing it that way is best
but if not, be sure you stabilize your gas. One of the things I like
about my old briggs is the gas tank comes right off with a quick
disconnect fuel line connector that shuts off the gas and 4 thumb
screws. When I am done, I can shut off the gas, run it dry and empty
the tank in my boat.

There is a youtube vid showing a guy who installed a petcock in the gas line of the little Honda.
Good idea. I wish Honda had done something like that. I suppose one could pour out the gas and then
let it run 'til dry. But starting it once a month or so is not that hard.



There *is* a way to drain the gas from the bowl, provided by Honda.

Yes, that's easy. But would more gas enter the bowl from the lines once that screw was closed up
again?


Yes. One guy simply put a clamp on the line from the tank to the bowl.


A baby vice grips might be worth throwing in the bottom.

On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 10:01:36 -0400, John H.
wrote:

On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 09:41:34 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 9:35 AM, John H. wrote:
On Sat, 17 Mar 2018 07:29:05 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" wrote:

On 3/17/2018 7:25 AM, John H. wrote:
On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 20:19:16 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:59:36 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote:

Mr. Luddite

- show quoted text -

"Don ... suggest you do another test for at least half an hour.

Start it up and let it run with the Eco mode "on" Â*and with *no*
load on the generator.

Reason?

You've suspected that it was flooding. Â*Running it under a
load may cause it to use all the gas the float and bowl can
deliver ... so it didn't flood.

Running it for at least a half hour ... maybe an hour to compare
apple to apples Â*will not draw anywhere near as much gas. Â*If the
float or something is screwing up it might flood again."



Just came in. I ?an the Honda for an hour on Econo Mode with no load.
When I first switched over to Econo Mode it almost stumbled for a second but then ran flawlessly. Hopefully I'm good to go. Thanks for the help.

Yup, lets just say there was something that needed "breaking in" ;-)
Since this thing is so cheap to run, you might as well run it a few
more times over the next couple of months to increase your confidence
factor. I still think running it dry and storing it that way is best
but if not, be sure you stabilize your gas. One of the things I like
about my old briggs is the gas tank comes right off with a quick
disconnect fuel line connector that shuts off the gas and 4 thumb
screws. When I am done, I can shut off the gas, run it dry and empty
the tank in my boat.

There is a youtube vid showing a guy who installed a petcock in the gas line of the little Honda.
Good idea. I wish Honda had done something like that. I suppose one could pour out the gas and then
let it run 'til dry. But starting it once a month or so is not that hard.



There *is* a way to drain the gas from the bowl, provided by Honda.

Yes, that's easy. But would more gas enter the bowl from the lines once that screw was closed up
again?


Yes. One guy simply put a clamp on the line from the tank to the bowl.


A baby vice grips might be worth throwing in the bottom.

They make a purpose built clamp just for doing this. I will look
around and see if I have a few. IBM gave us 2 in a kit for replacing
the radiators in water cooled machines. I used to have a bunch but I
am not sure where I would start to look ;-)
The problem with vice grips is the teeth on the jaws is tough on the
hose.
This thing was round with a thumb screw to tighten it up.
I think the perfect solution would be a 3 way valve with a stub of
hose that you could poke into a jug to drain the tank. If I was going
to install a valve, that is what I would look for.