It would seem a banal question - how to start a gas generator? The answer to it lies on the surface, but in fact, not everything is so transparent. Pitfalls can also be encountered in this simple procedure. For example, running gasoline generator in winter in frost or after a long downtime, conservation. Each operation has its own nuances.
Standard launch
The correct procedure for starting a gasoline generator is as follows:
- before starting it is necessary to make sure that all consumers of electricity are disconnected from the sockets of the panel;
- the engine fuel valve must be moved to the ON position;
- if the engine is cold, the automatic choke will be closed. To switch to manual throttle control, turn the corresponding lever to the CLOSED position;
- directly start the engine. Lightly pull the starter handle towards you until you feel resistance, then tighten it sharply. Do not release the starter handle immediately after starting, you should calmly return it to its original position.
- if throttle valve switched to manual control, it should be returned to the OPEN position as the engine warms up.
Running a generator in winter
The main difference between starting a gas generator in winter time are climatic conditions, which dictate certain rules. In order to start a gasoline engine without problems in a frosty season, a certain set of recommendations should be followed:
- Be sure to check the oil level before starting. When operating in the winter season, the quality of engine oil should be given Special attention;
- the same conditions apply to gasoline. Unleaded fuel is preferred as it is more suitable for low temperatures;
- it must be started at zero load.
Starting the generator after conservation
Actually, this operation is carried out, like a normal launch, only the preparatory stage deserves special attention:
- before starting, it is necessary to fill in engine oil and install a new oil filter recommended by the manufacturer;
- install a charged battery;
- refuel the generator.
Instant start of the generator in winter is more relevant than ever. This period of the year, associated with snowstorms, strong winds and ice, can leave people without electricity for hours or even days. It is impossible to control the weather, but homeowners and business owners who know how to run a gasoline generator in winter will be ready for an emergency. Portable power equipment will not only provide them with light, but also make it possible to use household equipment - cell phones, laptops, well pumps, heating system filters, etc.
Check before launch
Even in the off-season, the owner can periodically check the technical condition of his home power plant in order to make sure that all its components are in good condition and working. AT winter period times when the operation of the generator is especially important, a number of checks are also carried out before starting the engine. They include the following steps:
- Checking the oil level
For power plants, it is better to buy high-quality oil from trusted manufacturers, which guarantees the protection of internal equipment components from premature wear and failure. When choosing the type of oil, it is also worth focusing on average temperature indicators the area in which the mobile power plant will be operated. - Fuel control
Fuel for the engine of the power plant must also meet high quality standards. To store it, it is better to use a strong reliable container made of plastic or metal. - Examining the power plant for defects and damage that may have occurred during storage or transport
A visual inspection of the power plant and its components is mandatory before start-up. If the start of the equipment in the winter season is carried out for the first time, the owner of a portable power plant needs to allocate time to study the instruction manual for the equipment that comes with it.
Competent operation of the generator in winter promises owners many advantages. However, in order to understand how to use the equipment to generate electricity correctly, you need to take into account the recommendations from the manufacturer. They usually involve the following actions to safely and efficiently start the engine in winter:
- disconnecting from the generator all equipment that receives power from it;
- checking that the power plant is subject to "zero load";
- turning on the ignition;
- switching the air damper to the "Closed" position;
- engine start.
Possible problems and solutions
Low temperatures lead to starting problems for any engines, including power units of portable power stations. Even careful observance of the rules for operating the generator cannot guarantee that during winter use, the start of power equipment will be carried out without problems.
An obstacle to its operation may be the formation of condensate in the fuel system. This phenomenon is often observed when the engine cools down and is considered one of the common causes of failure. There are several ways to eliminate and prevent its occurrence:
- refusal to use low-quality gasoline;
- full production of gasoline before stopping the engine;
- warming up the gas tap without the use of open fire in order to drain the condensate;
- storage of the power plant in a warm room or placement in a building with a positive temperature, at least two hours before use on the street.
A flooded candle can also be a source of headache for the owner of a portable power plant. But this problem can be eliminated on its own without the involvement of specialists. The filled candle must be removed from the generator and thoroughly cleaned of carbon deposits and residues of adhering oil. Then the candle is cleaned with sandpaper and calcined. If all actions are carried out correctly, there will be no problems with starting - with a warm candle, the engine will start quickly.
Preventive measures: the specifics of competent storage and maintenance of the generator in winter
Problems with the start of the power plant can be avoided if properly organized winter storage generator. The boxed power plant is stored in a heated room or an all-weather container. Before conservation, it is recommended to carry out scheduled maintenance, which involves draining fuel from the tank and carburetor, cleaning filters and checking candles, replacing used oil. The last point is mandatory, since the used lubricant mixtures become denser over time and clog the crankcase, which leads to problems with starting in the future.
Using the protective cover
A smart investment for generator owners would be to purchase an all-weather housing. Performing the function of mechanical protection and preventing dirt and dust from entering the housing, this item serves as a barrier against negative environment. It provides the ability to use the generator in any weather conditions. Snow, rain and sub-zero air temperature will not interfere with the instant start of the engine and the problem of electricity generation in the winter season will be solved.
The figures below show the control panel and the main organs of a four-stroke gasoline generator that you have to deal with during its operation and maintenance.
Gas generator device: 1 - fuel level sensor, 2 - fuel tank, 3 - fuse, 4 - 12V power button, 5 - 12V socket, 6 - voltmeter, 7 - 220V socket, 8 - control light, 9 - ground terminal, 10 - engine switch, 11 - cover / dipstick for filling and oil control, 12 - oil drain plug.
Gas generator device: 13 - frame, 14 - fuel tank cap, 15 - manual starter handle, 16 - fuel valve, 17 - air filter, 18 - protective screen muffler.
The first 20 hours (the figure may be different) of the operation of the gas generator are the time during which the parts run in to each other. Therefore, for this period it is impossible to connect the load, the power of which exceeds 50% of the rated power of the unit.
If you plan to run the gas generator always at an altitude of more than 1500 meters above sea level, you should check with the dealer before purchasing the possibility of properly upgrading the carburetor. In high altitude areas, the fuel-air mixture of a standard carburetor will be very rich. Performance will decrease and fuel consumption will increase. To avoid this, it is necessary to install a smaller diameter main fuel jet in the carburetor and make the appropriate adjustment of the engine. Even with a modified carburetor, engine power will be reduced by approximately 3.5% for every 300m climb. The effect of altitude on engine power will be greater if carburetor modification is not carried out. Running the engine at altitudes below that of a modified carburetor can result in reduced power, overheating, and serious engine damage.
Checking the oil level. Checking the oil level in the crankcase is carried out before each start, since high-quality engine lubrication is extremely important condition correct operation gas generator.
Checking the oil level in the crankcase is carried out with the engine not running. The generator is installed on a flat horizontal surface. If the generator was running before, after stopping, wait for about 5 minutes.
The oil level is checked using a dipstick inserted into the oil filler neck. Before removing it, you need to clean the area around it - in order to prevent contamination from entering the crankcase. The dipstick is removed and wiped with a clean cloth. It is installed (without wrapping) in the oil filler neck until it stops and is removed again. The oil mark should be between the notch on the dipstick and its end. The figure below shows the process of measuring the oil level.
If there is not enough oil in the crankcase, you need to add it to the lower edge of the neck opening and install the dipstick in place, wrapping it tightly.
Refueling. Refueling must be done in a well-ventilated area. Do not smoke or use open fire while working. You need to work carefully, avoiding spills. If possible, avoid inhalation of vapors and prevent skin contact with fuel.
Gasoline generators usually use A92 gasoline (not lower). But in any case, you need to use the brand of gasoline that is indicated in the generator operating instructions. Do not use leaded or lightly leaded gasoline.
The fuel consumption of a gasoline generator depends on its power and can range from less than 1 l / h (at a power of 2 kW or less) to 2 (at a power of 5 kW) or more l / h.
If the engine is four-stroke, clean gasoline is used for refueling without mixing it with oil. In two-stroke engines, a mixture of gasoline and engine oil (for two-stroke engines) is used as fuel in the ratio specified in the instructions.
As for the adjustment of the carburetor of the gas generator and the engine speed controller, they are usually carried out at the factory. The generator output voltage and frequency depend on the engine speed. Tampering with carburetor settings will generally void the warranty.
If gasoline is already filled in the tank, you need to check its level - according to the fuel gauge or visually. The maximum level should not be higher than the fuel filter shoulder (see figure below).
If there is no fuel in the tank at all or it is not enough, you need to add gasoline to the shoulder of the fuel filter - about 20-25 mm below the upper edge of the filler neck. To avoid leakage of fuel due to thermal expansion, do not fill the tank to the top of the neck. After refueling, reinstall and screw the fuel tank cap tightly.
It is not necessary to make large (for a year) stocks of gasoline, half a year after production, gumming reactions appear in gasoline. After this period, the use of gasoline threatens with excess soot and smoke.
The rate of chemical changes during storage of gasoline depends on temperature, contact of non-ferrous metals with gasoline, the degree of filling of containers, the amount of transfusion, etc. The storage temperature has the greatest accelerating effect. An increase in the temperature of gasoline during storage is accompanied by an acceleration of oxidation and gum formation. With an increase in storage temperature by 10°, the resin formation rate increases by 2.4-2.8 times. All the most commonly used metals, being in contact with gasoline, accelerate its oxidation and the formation of resinous substances. On the other hand, the walls of metal canisters are impermeable to oxygen, unlike the walls plastic cans. Copper and its alloys have the greatest accelerating effect. The decrease in the quality of gasoline is facilitated by repeated transfusions of gasoline from container to container. When transfused, gasoline is saturated with atmospheric oxygen, the intensity of oxidative processes in it increases, and resin formation accelerates. The process of oxidation and resinification is significantly accelerated in the presence of resinous substances previously deposited in the tank or residues of resinous gasoline from previous storage. When gasoline turns reddish, this is a sure sign that the tar content exceeds the allowable limit. When the container is not tightly closed, evaporation of low-boiling components occurs. The evaporation of light hydrocarbons leads to an increase in the density of gasolines and a deterioration in their starting qualities. In gasolines obtained on the basis of products of direct distillation and thermal cracking, low-boiling fractions have the highest antiknock properties, therefore, when they are lost, the octane numbers of such gasolines decrease somewhat.
Engine starting. Starting the gas generator can be carried out using a manual or electric starter. There are generator models equipped with both types of start.
Starting the generator with a manual starter is carried out as follows.
- Disconnect electricity consumers from the generator, set the voltage switch (fuse) to the "off" position.
- The fuel valve opens.
- The choke knob is set to the "closed" position. This action is performed on a cold engine and is not performed if the engine was previously running and remains warm.
- The ignition is turned on (engine switch is turned to the "on" position).
- The starter handle is pulled out until resistance appears, released to the lower position and jerks sharply, or immediately jerks sharply without releasing to the lower position. At the same time, the cord is not pulled out completely and is not released sharply from the top position in order to avoid breakage of the starter.
- After warming up (1-3 minutes) of a running engine, the air damper is set to the "open" position. Better gradually, as it warms up.
Starting with an electric starter can vary greatly depending on the degree of automation of the process. In the very simple version, when starting with an electric starter, the same actions are first performed as with a manual start (the tap opens, the air damper closes on a cold engine, the ignition is turned on).
The engine switch is set to the electric start position. After starting the engine, return the switch to its original position. On some models of gas generators, this happens automatically.
If the engine does not start immediately, then the time the switch is in the "electric starter" position should not exceed 5 seconds. Restart should be done no earlier than after 10 seconds. If three attempts to start the engine fail, you should look for a malfunction due to which the engine does not start. The battery may need to be charged.
After starting the engine, open the choke.
It is forbidden to operate the generator without connecting the load for more than 3-30 minutes (for different gas generators, the figure is very different). The minimum load on the gasoline generator is about 10-20% of the nominal power of the generator. The fact is that if you do not load the gas generator, then the fuel may not burn completely. In 70% of such cases, plaque is deposited in the combustion chamber and on the spark plugs. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically do preventive maintenance - run the unit for an hour, connecting consumers to it with a total energy consumption equal to the rated power of the generator. This helps to get rid of deposits and associated soot, as well as maintain engine life.
Load switching order. A certain order must be followed. The first to connect consumers with the largest starting currents. Then connect the devices in descending order of the latest. Finally, power consumers with a starting current factor of 1, such as electric heaters, are connected.
Engine stop. The operation is performed in the following sequence.
- Power consumers are turned off.
- The voltage switch (fuse) is turned off.
- If the generator has been running under heavy load, let the generator run for a few minutes (1-3 minutes) without load.
- The ignition is turned off.
- The fuel valve closes.
At emergency stop generator must immediately turn off the ignition.
Maintenance
To maintain the equipment in good condition, it is necessary to carry out regular maintenance of the gas generator - in strict accordance with the operating instructions for a particular model. The main maintenance work is reduced to ensuring the normal operation of the engine. The generator itself does not require special Maintenance. It only requires regular removal of dust from its body in order to avoid disruption of cooling and replacement of brushes (if any).Typical types of maintenance work and their approximate intervals are shown in the table below.
Sample Maintenance Schedule for Gasoline Generators*
| Types of jobs | Every use | Every 3 months or after 50 hours. | Every 6 months or after 100 hours. | Every year or every 300 hours. | |
| Oil | Verify | + | |||
| +** | |||||
| Verify | + | ||||
| + | |||||
| + | |||||
| Clear | + | ||||
| Clear | + | ||||
| Verify | + | ||||
| + | |||||
* - The table contains indicative data, the exact ones should be found in the instruction manual for a particular gas generator. For example, often an oil change is required after 6 months or 100 hours rather than 50.
** - the first oil change is carried out after 20-25 hours. Sometimes the instructions require the first oil change after 8 hours, then the second change after 25 hours.
Except specified works, you need to perform others related to disassembling the engine, but they are performed at service centers.
This chart only applies to normal conditions operation of the generator. If the engine is operated in extreme conditions(long increased loads, high temperatures, high humidity and dustiness), the intervals between maintenance should be shortened.
For gasoline generators, it is necessary to use only high-quality oils for gasoline engines. If we are talking about a four-stroke engine, then SAE 10W30 can be used as a universal oil for operation at all temperatures (if the generator starts very rarely). At the same time, it should be borne in mind that at temperatures above 4 ° C, multi-temperature oils are consumed to a greater extent than conventional oils, and can cause accelerated engine wear. When using them, check the oil level more often than usual.
The optimal choice of oils for different temperatures can be made, guided by the following information. The most recommended oils depending on the operating temperature:
- above 4 °С - SAE 30;
- from -18 °С to +4 °С - SAE 10W-30, 5W-30;
- below 4 °С - synthetic oils SAE 5W-20, 5W-30.
When using SAE 30 oil at temperatures below 4°C, starting may be difficult due to lack of lubrication and use of this oil at low temperatures can lead to premature engine wear.
Do not allow long-term contact of the skin of the hands with oil (machine oil is carcinogenic). Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
The oil must be changed on a warm (1-3 minutes) engine, this ensures a quick and complete drain of mining. To replace it, unscrew the plug with the oil level indicator (dipstick) (1), unscrew the drain plug (2) and drain the oil into a suitable container. After that, tighten the drain plug and fill in fresh oil through the dipstick hole (1) to the required level.
Air filter maintenance. The air filter cleans the air that enters the carburetor where it mixes with the fuel. During the operation of the gas generator, the filter gradually becomes dirty and ceases to perform its functions. A clogged air filter reduces quality fuel mixture, disrupts the operation of the engine and leads to its accelerated wear.
To prevent this from happening, the air filter must be serviced regularly. This is done in the following way.
- Remove the filter housing cover.
- Remove and inspect the filter for dirt and damage.
- Replace damaged paper and foam filters with new ones. A dirty paper filter element must also be replaced. The contaminated foam rubber filter is washed with soapy water, squeezed thoroughly, and dried. Cleaning the foam filter element with gasoline is not recommended due to the fire hazard of the latter.
- The foam filter is moistened with clean engine or special oil, squeezed out and inserted into place. Avoid skin contact with oil.
- Close the filter housing cover.
Fuel filter cleaning. Before entering the combustion chamber, the fuel passes through several filters. One of them is located in the fuel cock. It needs to be washed from time to time. For this you need:
- close the fuel cock;
- unscrew the sump nut and remove the sealing ring and strainer;
- wash the sump, filter and sealing ring in gasoline;
- install the parts in place and tighten the sump nut;
- open the fuel cock and check for fuel leaks.
Fuel cock with filter: 1 - fuel cock, 2 - sediment filter, 3 - mesh, 4 - sealing ring, 5 - sediment bowl.
Spark Plug Service. For gas generators, only those candles that are provided by the manufacturer should be used. Information about this is contained in the instruction manuals for the equipment. Spark plug maintenance is performed only on a cold engine. The work is performed in the following sequence:
- The cap of the candle is removed and cleaned if necessary.
- Using a spark plug wrench, the spark plug is unscrewed.
- The integrity of its insulator is visually checked. If cracks are found, the spark plug must be replaced.
- A special probe measures the gap between the electrodes, which should be normal 0.7-0.8 mm. If the actual values deviate from the required ones, the spark plug gap is adjusted by bending or bending the upper electrode, or the spark plug is replaced.
- If necessary, carbon deposits are removed with a fine sandpaper or needle file.
- The candle is installed in place manually to avoid thread distortion.
- It is wrapped with a force NOT MORE THAN 25-30 Nm. After hand-tightening a new spark plug, it should be tightened 1/2 turn with a wrench to compress the washer. If a used spark plug is installed, it should only be tightened 1/8-1/4 turn after hand-tightening.
- A cap is put on.
Preparing the gas generator for long-term storage (preservation)
When placing a gasoline generator for storage (more than 3 months), it is necessary to perform a number of the following works carried out after the engine has completely cooled down.- Completely drain the gasoline from the tank, drain, through the drain screw, the carburetor. With the drain screw loose, remove the cap from the spark plug and pull the starter cord 3-4 times to drain the gasoline from the fuel pump. Clean fuel filters and reinstall.
- Change engine oil.
- Remove the spark plug and pour one tablespoon of engine oil into the cylinder. Turn the motor shaft several times so that the oil covers the rubbing surfaces. If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the engine may smoke slightly during start-up. This is fine.
- Wrap the spark plug in place and turn the shaft with the starter handle until resistance appears. At this point, the piston is at its highest point on the compression stroke, the intake and exhaust valves are closed, which prevents internal corrosion of the engine.
- Store the generator in a clean and dry place for long-term storage.
As mentioned above, gasoline oxidizes and deteriorates during storage. Old fuel is the cause of poor starting, it contains tarry substances that contaminate the fuel system and can cause engine failure. The length of time fuel can be stored in the fuel tank and carburetor without causing functional problems can vary depending on factors such as temperature, air humidity, how full the fuel tank is. Air in a partially filled fuel tank contributes to fuel deterioration. High temperatures and moist air accelerate the aging of gasoline. The problem of fuel deterioration can occur within 2-3 months or less, therefore it is recommended that during long periods of stoppage in operation, drain the fuel from the tank and carburetor and always use fresh fuel for operation.
Possible malfunctions of the gas generator and methods for their elimination
| Possible reason | Elimination method |
| Engine won't start | |
| Poor quality fuel | Change fuel |
| Fuel not getting to carburetor | Check if the fuel valve is open or not. |
| No spark at spark plug | Check and replace spark plug or magneto |
| Empty fuel tank | Fill up the fuel tank |
| Engine stops | |
| Air filter clogged | |
| Low oil level | Check and add oil |
| Clogged oil filter | Replace |
| Clogged fuel filter | Clean fuel filter |
| Clogged hole in the fuel tank cap | Clean or replace cap |
| The engine does not develop power | |
| Air filter clogged | Clean or replace filter |
| Wear of piston rings | Replace rings |
| Engine smokes, exhaust fumes blue color | |
| Increased wear between valve stem and guide sleeve | Replace worn parts |
| Increased piston and cylinder wear | Replace worn parts |
| Increased piston ring wear | Replace rings |
| Enhanced level oil in crankcase | Check and adjust oil level |
| Engine smokes, black exhaust fumes | |
| Engine overload | Reduce Selection electrical power |
| Fuel supply too high | Adjust fuel pump |
| Air filter clogged | Clean or replace filter |
| The engine gets very hot | |
| Cylinder fins are dirty | Clean cylinder fins |
| Unstable engine operation | |
| Malfunction of the regulator of turns | Find and eliminate the cause |
| Increased oil consumption | |
| Increased clearance between valve stem and guide sleeve | Replace worn parts |
| Wear of piston rings | Replace rings |
| Cylinder wear | Replace cylinder |
Safety
A generator is a device that generates electricity, which under certain conditions can be dangerous. When the engine is running, parts of the exhaust system heat up to a high temperature. Therefore, the operation of the gas generator must be subject to certain rules of electrical and fire safety.Must not be present in working area strangers and animals.
Avoid using the generator in areas with high humidity, on the open space during snow or rain. When working with the machine, hands and clothing must be dry.
Do not use the generator near flammable materials, flammable and explosive gases and liquids. The generator must be located at least 1 meter from other equipment and walls. Avoid touching the engine or exhaust pipe while the generator is running. This is fraught with serious burns.
Do not smoke near the generator, and do not allow open flames or sparks near it.
Care must be taken with the power wires, do not touch parts of the generator that are energized. Damaged wires must be insulated or replaced immediately.
Before repairing and servicing the gas generator, it is recommended to disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting of the engine.
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Off-grid generators are often indispensable, and full list their possible applications will be very long - from providing electricity for a weekend beach party to permanent work at a private building. A wide range of work performed has given rise to a large number of types of autonomous generators, differing both in design and in characteristics. What they have in common is the principle of operation - an internal combustion engine of one type or another rotates the shaft of an electric generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
- A domestic generator is usually a portable gasoline-powered unit, not intended for continuous operation, with a power of several kVA.
- Professional generators have increased power and uninterrupted operation time, and for greater fuel efficiency and increased resource, engines are usually installed on them. At the same time, if household electric generators generate a current of 220 V, then professional generators are overwhelmingly designed for 380 V output voltage. Large dimensions and weight force either to place powerful generators on a wheeled chassis, or make them stationary.
So, in this classification, we have already found a number of constructive differences. Let's consider them in order.
As you know, a gasoline engine can work like. At the same time, low efficiency and a limited resource make two-stroke engines not the most the best choice to drive an electric generator, although they are simpler in design, which means they are cheaper and lighter.
A four-stroke engine, although it harder and more expensive consumes much less fuel and able to do much more. Therefore, generators up to 10 kVA are usually equipped with engines of this type.
Gasoline engines of electric generators are mainly single-cylinder units with forced air cooling, the preparation of a combustible mixture is carried out using a carburetor. To start them, either a rope starter is used, or an electric start is additionally included in the design (then, in addition to the battery, such generators also have a 12 V output: the battery is charged from this circuit and consumers designed for low-voltage power can also be connected to it). The most common motors with a cast-iron sleeve and an overhead valve gas distribution mechanism are, as a rule, GX motors and their copies.
Domestic gasoline generator engines not intended for long-term continuous operation. Exceeding the operating time specified in the operating instructions (usually no more than 5-7 hours) will reduce the life of the motor.However, even the most advanced gasoline engines have a limited resource: with proper care, they will work 3-4 thousand hours. Is it a lot or a little? With occasional use on the road, for example, to connect a power tool, this is a fairly large resource, but constantly powering a private house from a gas generator means to sort out its engine every year.
Much have more resources power units, in addition, they are more profitable during long-term operation due to greater efficiency. For this reason, all powerful generating sets, both portable and stationary, use diesel engines.
For such units, a number of disadvantages of diesel engines compared to gasoline ones (high cost, greater weight and noise) are not fundamental, there is a certain inconvenience only when starting diesel engines in cold weather.
During operation, please note that long work idling without load is harmful to them: completeness of fuel combustion is disturbed, which leads to increased soot formation, which clogs the exhaust, and dilution of engine oil by diesel fuel seeping through the piston rings. Therefore, the list of routine maintenance for diesel power plants necessarily includes their periodic output to full capacity.In addition, there are generators that work. Structurally, they are no different from gasoline, except for the power system: instead of a carburetor, they are equipped with a gas pressure regulator and a calibrated nozzle that supplies gas to the intake manifold. At the same time, such generators can use not only a cylinder with liquefied gas as a fuel source, but also a gas network - in this case, fuel costs become minimal. The disadvantage of such generators is low mobility ( gas bottle larger and heavier than a gas tank, which, moreover, can be refueled on the spot), as well as an increased fire hazard, especially with illiterate operation. However, as a backup power source in a house connected to a gas main, this is a good option: there is no need to take care of maintaining the level and quality of fuel in the gas tank, and the engine life when running on gas is higher than when running on gasoline.
Let's talk right away. We are not interested in hybrid generators due to the fact that hybrid generators use both gasoline and liquefied gas as fuel, they are so similar in nature and calorific value that there are no problems, except for an incorrectly selected reduction gear and a small evaporation area in the cylinder, from -for which frosting occurs, will not occur. On the other hand, these generators are very difficult to automate, and then starting and stopping lies on the shoulders of the owner, who will change the type of fuel and start the generator manually.
In this case, we are talking about generators in automatic mode, which must be started without human intervention, and, therefore, other requirements for starting, maximum operating time and special means, which should help to carry out the launch in the winter.
So, in the winter, 3 main reasons affect the launch:
- good battery,
- good oil,
- quality fuel.
Of course, all these requirements can be ideal, but subject to the use of a low-quality engine or improper maintenance, they will not help. In one of the articles I talked about some of the nuances of engines (How to choose a reliable engine?), But now this is not about that.
What happens at startup?
Suppose we have a perfectly tuned, charged generator with a good, powerful charged battery. The temperature in winter "floats", it can be from -1 to -38 and the oil, once frozen, retains this temperature and excess viscosity for a very long time. So what, you ask, is it:
a) did not freeze and did not shackle everything inside,
b) the contact area of the engine parts is small and the engine should spin, despite the fact that the oil now resembles more candied honey than a liquid.
And you will be right, but try pulling the manual starter and you will feel some serious resistance. It comes from one small piece called a decompressor - here it is, located on a large gear.
A small mechanism designed to make it easier to start the engine from a manual starter plays a cruel joke in winter and harms starting more than it helps. On the one hand, it is supposed to facilitate starting due to the fact that the exhaust valve is ajar, but in practice it either blocks the opening of the exhaust valve or prevents the decompressor from working.
Despite the fact that the engine rotates and there is a spark, it does not start, because there is no initial ignition in the cylinder - the poor mixture that gets there just as quietly flies out.
In the case of an open decompressor, the engine simply does not pick up speed, because the starter power is insufficient, it is designed for use in an engine with a decompressor, a battery is selected for the same condition, which is overwhelmingly gel, 9 a / h, and when this gel solidifies, it is unlikely will be able to provide more than 5-7 launch attempts.
This is where proposals begin to equip the battery and engine with heating, etc. etc., but no one, mind you, NOBODY will give a guarantee of starting in the winter and at the same time will not remind you that good heating costs like a whole generator, and it will also constantly consume electricity, since these parts need 200-300 Watts per hour, otherwise it will only be calming without any effect.
As a result, the conclusion suggests itself one: if you do not use a branded engine, the materials of which are selected with high quality, the battery is suitable for the task, fill in old or low-quality gasoline, operate an unadjusted or universal gas system, then in sub-zero temperatures you will encounter problems when starting.
As another reminder, I list engine manufacturers that can be described as proprietary: Honda, B&S, Kohler, Robin-Subaru, Mitsubishi, Generac. Here, in principle, is the entire list of engines that are on the market in Russia, the rest are more or less “labels”, that is, engines assembled in China with a sticker of some kind of “manufacturer”. I wrote about this in more detail in the article (see link).
But there is also a way out, as I have already described, structurally, the power plants on the market are not designed to work in cold climates. The Russian market is too small for China to develop generators for us. But, given the experience of 14 years of work and production, we have assembled power plants for cold climates, which are specifically designed to start in deep minus, and there is no magic. We just took ANOTHER engine and completed it taking into account the launch experience and the conditions of Russia.
1. Power plant engine GG6-SV DOES NOT HAVE A DECOMPRESSOR. It was removed. Along with this, there was a need for a more powerful starter, and, look, the GG6-SV starter is almost 4 times more powerful than similar stations (!). The first photo shows the starter GG-6SV and nearby the starter of any other station with a power of 5 to 7 kW. On the second - the same thing - for clarity, mounted on the engine.