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jeffw_00 · 07-30-2018, 12:21 PM

I have a generator for the rare (once every year or two) power outage. So I periodically run my generator. I used to run my EB2200 3-4x/year and that was sufficient, but the dealer says I need to run my new EU7000 every 30 days - true? How often do you run yours? Thanks!

Mollysdad · 07-30-2018, 01:52 PM

First, knowing I might not be conscientious, I'd find ethanol free gas.
Around me, Wa-Wa has it.
Then I'd be sure to add Sta-bil.
If you go a few months without starting (I have) it still fires right up.

jeffw_00 · 07-30-2018, 06:59 PM

The sales guy at my dealer pushed the ethanol-free gas (~$25/gal). My approach had been to use Marine Sta-Bil when I buy my (regular) gas, keep the tank topped off, and don't keep gas more than a year.

I asked two different tech support guys at Honda on different days, as well as another sales guy at my dealer, which approach was better. The other sales guy said my approach was "fine". The Honda techs specifically said thet recommend my approach, and they do not recommend ethanol-free gas. They didn't say it would hurt, but they don't recommend it.

Just sayin'

/j

I'm leaning toward starting it up every 90 days, but wondering how that works for others

jeffw_00 · 08-02-2018, 05:15 PM

anyone?

Thanks!

Wayne&Sam · 08-02-2018, 06:01 PM

I have a 5000 and run it every couple of months. Mostly to keep the starter battery charged. I use Stabil too

jeffw_00 · 08-04-2018, 07:14 AM

Actually - lead-acid batteries generally hold their charge a really long time. I keep debating whether to go every 3 months (like I used to) or up it to 2 because the new Honda needs it more often than the old one (?)

/j

Wayne&Sam · 08-04-2018, 07:28 AM

The batteries do, but I do not. If I don’t try to do it that often, it will go too long....

uncle_bob · 08-04-2018, 07:39 AM

Hi

The weak link is the fuel in the system. Run it dry / drain it / blow it out (maybe). It'll store a long time if it's completely dry when it goes into storage .... ( yes, put new oil in it when it comes out after a long time sitting ...).

Bob

jeffw_00 · 08-04-2018, 01:25 PM

Actually - since the EU7000 is fuel injected - there's no gas shutoff and no need to shut it off and then run it dry (as per Honda)

Mollysdad · 08-04-2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffw_00

The sales guy at my dealer pushed the ethanol-free gas (~$25/gal).

Yikes!
The Wa-Wa near me has a E free pump and it's expensive at $3.09 last time I checked. (but 89 octane since it's not diluted with corn squeezins'.)

jeffw_00 · 08-04-2018, 03:01 PM

Yeah - apparently it's cheap in southern climates where it has more utility, and hard to find in the northeast

Adventure.AS · 08-04-2018, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Yikes!
The Wa-Wa near me has a E free pump and it's expensive at $3.09 last time I checked. (but 89 octane since it's not diluted with corn squeezins'.)

You may be surprised to learn that ethanol has a very high octane rating (114) and is not used to dilute the octane of gasoline, but to improve it.

r carl · 08-04-2018, 05:15 PM

I choose not to support the corn cartel.

RandyNH · 08-05-2018, 06:24 AM

MAYBE once a year, so far, if I need it.

Okay, I converted it to propane, I've wrecked too many things with bad gas...

Mollysdad · 08-05-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

You may be surprised to learn that ethanol has a very high octane rating (114) and is not used to dilute the octane of gasoline, but to improve it.

Yes, I'd be bowled over if ethanol treated gas had more energy than regular gas.
It's no secret that a given vehicle will get worse fuel mileage on ethanol, and have less power.
Ethanol is all about the $$$$ and not about efficiency.

Adventure.AS · 08-05-2018, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Yes, I'd be bowled over if ethanol treated gas had more energy than regular gas.
It's no secret that a given vehicle will get worse fuel mileage on ethanol, and have less power.
Ethanol is all about the $$$$ and not about efficiency.

You are confusing energy in the fuel with octane. "Octane ratings are measures of fuel stability. These ratings are based on the pressure at which a fuel will spontaneously combust (auto-ignite) in a testing engine."

The energy in the fuel is a different thing and does not correlate to octane rating. "A gallon of E10 has 96.7 percent of the energy in one gallon of gasoline, according to the DOE's Alternative Fuels Data Center."

uncle_bob · 08-06-2018, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

You are confusing energy in the fuel with octane. "Octane ratings are measures of fuel stability. These ratings are based on the pressure at which a fuel will spontaneously combust (auto-ignite) in a testing engine."

The energy in the fuel is a different thing and does not correlate to octane rating. "A gallon of E10 has 96.7 percent of the energy in one gallon of gasoline, according to the DOE's Alternative Fuels Data Center."

Hi

.... and a gallon of E85 is even worse in terms of energy density at 76%. Remember that when you are tempted

to fill your tank with the lowest price fuel at the pump .... If full up regular gas is at $2.50 a gallon, E86 needs to be below $1.87 a gallon

Bob