GENERATORS???

Thanks for all the information in this post. I've learned a lot about gas and ethanol. In some places you can buy non-ethanol gas, but we don't have that option. 

So, ethanol reduces engine power on top of all the other damage to engines it can do if left untreated. In the case of any engine that is used sporadically it can kill them before you know it due to its hydroscopic nature...it draws water out of the fuel as well as from the ambient air around it(unless you take appropriate preventive steps). The more water in the air around it, the more it absorbs. High humidity means more water being absorbed into your fuel, sitting on the bottom of your tank.

For generators and other intermittent use motors you need to get as little of it in your small engines and tanks as possible, always treat your fuel to prevent the ethanol from separating from your gasoline and absorbing water with a good quality fuel stabilizer.

Empty your carb (turn off your petcock/fuel shut off or run it out of fuel) when the generator is finished being used to further prevent gum/varnish deposits, keep your tank either completely full or empty for extended periods of time to further safeguard your fuel system and extend the life of your motor as less moist air comes in contact with your fuel.

These are the best ways to get the most bang for your hard earned buck over the long term.

Sta-bil, Seafoam, Phaseguard...all very good stabilizers and did I mention do the same for your boats, mowers, chainsaws, whipper-snippers, blowers, wood chippers and infrequently used cars trucks?
Further examples of where to do the same thing and save yourself money, time and frustration.

Fuel can go bad/skunky in only a couple of months and heat can make it break down even more quickly then that as well.

Bad ethanol, bad. Now go back to your cornfield until you make something better of yourself!

:-)

Andy

Originally posted by Masternav   Your point is valid, but your math is off significantly.  Ethanol produces 70% of the energy of gas, so if gasoline has 10% ethanol content, then it will produce 3% less energy than pure gasoline, not 10% less as you stated.

Hmm, I think there is another thing to consider in regards to noise and inverter generators. This is the amount a generator has to power (rev) up to be able to provide the needed power. My 2000 watt Champion would have to go to max speed whenever a heavier load was demanded. This makes quite a bit more noise to achieve the same result as compared to when I use my 3300 (surge) watt Firman.

The Firmman is larger and heavier but barely comes over its idle speed when I load it up. They are both very quiet but the larger genny is quieter when under load as it doesn't have to work as hard... so for my uses, it is much quieter which is good for me and even better, considerate of anyone around us.

My Firman is so capable I use it in power outages at our home...I plug in the sump pump (a very active device where I live, all year 'round), 10 cubic feet freezer, full size fridge and freezer simultaneously and the genny quietly purrs away with the little burps of extra noise when the loads cycle on and off. (Just make sure to replace the spark plug before using it with a good quality one! Throw away the stock plug as it is/was junk...mine was cracked from factory)

Just another note keeping in mind I have a truck with a cap, so more room to store it when travelling and I don't mind having my gas cans in the back as well. Many different considerations need to be taken into account to make the right choice and everyone is different in their needs.

If you can figure out a way to get here in NJ, I'll sell you my lightly used and well maintained 2400 Watt Yamaha EF2400iSHC for less than $1000.00. I'll even thrown in the Yamaha cover. I'm getting old and it's a little too heavy for me. Just not using it much anymore.