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Posted: 6/9/2013 11:47:17 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GLHX2112]
[#1]
Originally Posted By grayparatrooper:
Local hf having a tent sale this weekend. I picked up a blue one that's new it was the floor model but out of the box for $20  . I've only got 5 days to try it out though cuz there is no warranty after that but for $20 I can prolly fix it. What's the diff with the blue vs red? I need to find some of the oil/gas mixture fuel too. I also got a 10 gallon air compressor for $30 not a bad day overall.Here's a link to the manual in case they did not provide one. GAS/OIL ratio is in there somewhere. Few pages back somebody lists differences between Red and Blue versions, main thing was octane that can be used. http://images.harborfreight.com/manuals/66000-66999/66619.pdf |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 6/25/2013 7:34:44 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GTTacoma]
[#2]
Originally Posted By hawk1:
Originally Posted By GTTacoma:
Dumb question - Can I feed the 115 power outlet on this generator into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch? You forgot the little smilie at the end of your post... 
You were joking, right?...  FYI - I just did this!  The 115V power outlet on this generator now plugs into the 240v/30 amp plug-in on my transfer switch. A short two-hour-long power outage motivated me to figure it out...
My transfer switch receptacle is a l14-30P. There are 4 prongs - 2 are 120V hot, 1 neutral, and 1 ground. I really just want to be able to run one circuit through my transfer switch (One centralized room upstairs with computer/good visibility outside, etc.. ), so I found out I just needed to figure out which leg of the l14-30R fed that particular breaker. So - The hot, neutral, and ground of the 5-15P go to one hot, neutral and ground of the l14-30R, and one hot prong is just left un-wired. Not sure why that was so hard for me to figure out! 
I tested it out last night and was able to run my ceiling fan w/cfl bulbs, computer&monitor, modems, etc with no problems. I could have probably even had my TV on.. but didn't want to push it. NO MORE EXTENSION CORDS!!!! 
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Posted: 6/26/2013 10:51:42 PM EDT
[#3]
You can put a jumper inside the l14-30p to connect the 2 hots together. This will provide power to both sides of your transfer panel so you can feed any load on the panel. Just make sure that you mark the plug to show that the 2 hots are wired together.
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Posted: 6/28/2013 10:04:27 AM EDT
[#4]
Bad news: Power went out while I was trying to print reports and iron my shirt so I could head out the door and visit clients. My neighborhood was hit pretty hard by storms over the past few days. My other generator is on loan to my neighbor who hasn't had power since Monday. Brought out the little HF generator to power my laser printer so I could print reports, and to iron my shirt. As soon as I put everything back in the garage, the fucking power comes back on.
Good news. The little generator didn't bat an eye at an iron that said 1100W on the label. I knew it was a stretch and I was ready to yank the cord at any time, but it worked fine. At least for 3 minutes... I wouldn't recommend anybody do this for any length of time. |
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Posted: 6/28/2013 11:00:55 AM EDT
[Last Edit: dbrowne1]
[#5]
Originally Posted By secamp32:
You can put a jumper inside the l14-30p to connect the 2 hots together. This will provide power to both sides of your transfer panel so you can feed any load on the panel. Just make sure that you mark the plug to show that the 2 hots are wired together. The two 120 hot prongs have to be phased opposite to actually run any 240 loads though, right? So this would only allow you to run 120 loads on both sides of your panel, correct? This can be done and wired properly for 240 loads if your generator head and wiring is setup up to produce two opposite phases of 120 power, but not in the manner you're suggesting. |
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Posted: 7/1/2013 8:30:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: EXPY37]
[#6]
Yes, I think he meant 120 v loads, not 240 vac loads as they [w/ a few negligible exceptions] would not draw any current in that config.
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Posted: 7/24/2013 12:24:46 PM EDT
[#7]
Is this a design lifted from a reputable outfit; or did the Chicoms pull this win off on their own?
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TX, USA
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Posted: 7/27/2013 12:34:38 AM EDT
[#8]
Just thought I should do another update on my little HF genny. I just took another 3 day trip to the coast to do some camping fishing and took the little genny again. Genny started right up and ran like a champ again! Now for full disclosure... I do use both stabil and seafoam in my gas/oil mix and also use really good quality mercury marine oil. Still, I have had such great service from my little genny. Nothing else to report other than yet another successful outing with the little sub $100 genny!
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NY, USA
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Posted: 7/29/2013 7:16:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: NYMini]
[#9]
Check this YouTube video:
harbor freight genny sound Is this typical sounding as far as these go? Theres a slight rattling coming from that unit. Normal? Want to make sure I don't get a bad one. |
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Posted: 7/29/2013 7:22:08 PM EDT
[#10]
thats about right. mine are quiet enough to have a normal conversation next to without having to yell.
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Posted: 7/29/2013 8:15:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: EXPY37]
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NYMini:
Check this YouTube video: harbor freight genny sound Is this typical sounding as far as these go? Theres a slight rattling coming from that unit. Normal? Want to make sure I don't get a bad one. I've noticed the Honda EU2000i's making a similar noise. Well maintained, ignition knock, det in muffler, IDK, but will try to look more carefully in a couple days. |
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TN, USA
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Posted: 7/29/2013 9:53:11 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NYMini: Check this YouTube video: harbor freight genny sound Is this typical sounding as far as these go? Theres a slight rattling coming from that unit. Normal? Want to make sure I don't get a bad one. |
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Posted: 7/30/2013 7:36:05 AM EDT
[#13]
low octane gas can do that as well.
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NY, USA
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Posted: 7/30/2013 6:19:28 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Popov:
I got one that sounded like that. Some sort of knocking sound and a bunch of rattling. I took it back. Neither of the two I have now make that noise. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Popov:
Originally Posted By NYMini:
Check this YouTube video: harbor freight genny sound Is this typical sounding as far as these go? Theres a slight rattling coming from that unit. Normal? Want to make sure I don't get a bad one. Getting a knock/rattle. I'll try a tank of higher octane before I return it. |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/4/2013 12:01:45 AM EDT
[#15]
my first one had that rattle noise. I took it back same day and they swapped it for the one I've used for years now with no complaints. I've powered stuff like mini fridge, shop fan, tv, 500 watt shop lights, etc and no problems whatsoever. My genny is so frugal on gas consumption too. One gas can can keep it running all weekend I use the midgrade gas and am very careful to use nothing but mercury marine oil and stabil plus seafoam in every tankfull.
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Posted: 8/5/2013 10:11:47 AM EDT
[#16]
I havent played with mine yet. Are the pre mixed fuels any good?
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Posted: 8/5/2013 12:52:47 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By grayparatrooper:
I havent played with mine yet. Are the pre mixed fuels any good? Premixed fuels? |
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Posted: 8/5/2013 2:41:44 PM EDT
[#18]
Put some 91 [I think] octane in the Honda yesterday and the spark knock seemed to diminish.
The gas was the next highest grade than we usually buy. Seems Honda mentions an octane rating but haven't looked it up. Here it is... "pump octane rating of 86 or higher. SAE 10W – 30 oil is recommended" No snake oil is recommended for the Hondas either. 
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Posted: 8/5/2013 2:53:32 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By rsqhobbs: Premixed fuels? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By rsqhobbs: Originally Posted By grayparatrooper: I havent played with mine yet. Are the pre mixed fuels any good? Premixed fuels? Stuff like TruFuel that you can buy at big-box stores. I'm sure it's great, but at $6 a quart it's simply not viable for anything more than a weed trimmer on a postage-stamp lot. |
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Posted: 8/5/2013 8:27:58 PM EDT
[#20]
I wanna see a tri-fuel conversion for this little puppy!
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Posted: 8/5/2013 9:11:38 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By mr_camera_man:
Stuff like TruFuel that you can buy at big-box stores. I'm sure it's great, but at $6 a quart it's simply not viable for anything more than a weed trimmer on a postage-stamp lot. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By mr_camera_man:
Originally Posted By rsqhobbs:
Originally Posted By grayparatrooper:
I havent played with mine yet. Are the pre mixed fuels any good? Premixed fuels? Stuff like TruFuel that you can buy at big-box stores. I'm sure it's great, but at $6 a quart it's simply not viable for anything more than a weed trimmer on a postage-stamp lot. Thanks for the info. I had no idea this stuff even existed. $6.00 a qt. you say? I'll just mix my own. |
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Posted: 8/5/2013 11:42:12 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NYMini: Getting a knock/rattle. I'll try a tank of higher octane before I return it. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NYMini: Originally Posted By Popov: Originally Posted By NYMini: Check this YouTube video: harbor freight genny sound Is this typical sounding as far as these go? Theres a slight rattling coming from that unit. Normal? Want to make sure I don't get a bad one. Getting a knock/rattle. I'll try a tank of higher octane before I return it. I forgot about doing that video. |
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Posted: 8/6/2013 8:33:15 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By grayparatrooper:
I havent played with mine yet. Are the pre mixed fuels any good? I ran a quart of 50:1 premix from Lowes through mine recently, just to exercise it a bit. Ran fine, no different than the 93 octane E10 pump gas and 2 cycle oil I've used before. |
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Posted: 8/14/2013 9:02:24 PM EDT
[#24]
Iphone charger- camping - $ 99 gene - got it.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/17/2013 10:10:16 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Blackoperations]
[#25]
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Posted: 8/18/2013 10:23:33 AM EDT
[#26]
We had a power outage yesterday for a couple of hours so I cranked mine up to run my 52" Vizio, sat reciever, and sound amp. Everything came on but the little gen started surging so I shut it down.
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/18/2013 12:27:16 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By grayparatrooper:
I havent played with mine yet. Are the pre mixed fuels any good? I just finished 14+ hours on mine and ran 87* at 40:1 ratio using ChinaMarts SuperTech Marine (TC-W3) oil the entire time and I got no smoke at all. The NGK spark plug was pretty clean and oil free. The air filter was spotless. The pancake fuel filter that I added to mine, worked perfectly and I pretty much ran it dry, so nothing's left to gum up the carb. Everything ran smoothly, but mine makes a noise that sounds similar to a BB in a paint can rolling around. Not really a knock, but kind of. I can't tell if it's an engine, or inverter noise. It's consistent and not getting worse, so I just chalk it up to 'that's what it sounds like'. I'm not going to break it in any longer, figuring that 14 hrs is sufficient for my needs. I have 2 gal. of 90* ethanol free gas that I added Stabil to and which I'll save for this hurricane season. I just need to figure out if I'm going to stick with 40:1, or go the recommended 50:1, since there was no smoking. Chris |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 8/18/2013 1:39:15 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By fd4887:
We had a power outage yesterday for a couple of hours so I cranked mine up to run my 52" Vizio, sat reciever, and sound amp. Everything came on but the little gen started surging so I shut it down. Time to clean the carb. Will it smooth out with the choke on partial? |
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OR, USA
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Posted: 8/18/2013 5:57:56 PM EDT
[#29]
Run higher octane fuel... has been discussed in this thread an has remedied my similar problems....
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/19/2013 7:20:22 PM EDT
[#30]
89 octane will solve your problem
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/19/2013 8:09:25 PM EDT
[#31]
I've used 89 octane midgrade in mine from day one and no problems whatsoever. One of the best low cost gear purchases I've ever made. I have a champion 4k watt 4-stroke genny but have to say 90% of the time if I need power for something... my little genny is just too easy to carry and too easy to use to bother with the big bulky one. Oh and the fact my little genny can run for many hours on a gallon of gas is certainly not a bad deal either
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IA, USA
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Posted: 8/22/2013 3:51:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ssm1602]
[#32]
I have 2 of these gens that I got from ebay. Neither one runs at this point. Any suggestions for either of them? I have put a new spark plug in both of them and pulled the carbs of both of them and cleaned them. They will sputter alittle when you try to start them, but that is it. I haven't dug in to much deeper into either of them yet.
Thanks all. |
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Posted: 8/23/2013 12:13:09 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dbrowne1]
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ssm1602:
I have 2 of these gens that I got from ebay. Neither one runs at this point. Any suggestions for either of them? I have put a new spark plug in both of them and pulled the carbs of both of them and cleaned them. They will sputter alittle when you try to start them, but that is it. I haven't dug in to much deeper into either of them yet. Thanks all. Hard to say based on that very general description. I bought mine on Ebay as well for $75 and it had a badly leaking fuel tank (which I replaced and was reimbursed for by the seller), but otherwise it works perfectly. My advice to others reading is to just buy it new from HF when it's on sale and/or with a coupon. You're saving little money by buying a used one on Ebay and buying a lot of potential headache. If you get a dud from HF, they'll let you return it or exchange it without a problem. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/23/2013 12:32:56 PM EDT
[#34]
I agree. Going to, or buying it online from HF is probably a good idea and worth the few extra bucks one would save buying used, or off of Ebay. Consider it a hassle free 90 day insurance policy, for $20.
Chris |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/24/2013 12:33:31 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Blackoperations]
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ssm1602:
I have 2 of these gens that I got from ebay. Neither one runs at this point. Any suggestions for either of them? I have put a new spark plug in both of them and pulled the carbs of both of them and cleaned them. They will sputter alittle when you try to start them, but that is it. I haven't dug in to much deeper into either of them yet. Thanks all. Need specifics. 1. Did you mixup the oil/gas ratio correctly? 2. Have you checked the air inlet and choke lever? How about a squirt of starting fluid, that crap will wake up any stubborn two stroke motor! 3. Put in some clean 89 octane gas, and hit it with some starting fluid....bet it runs. It has to be a dead simple problem, I have beat the piss out of both of my 800watt genies and they come back begging for more abuse...just have to show them some love sometimes. |
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Posted: 8/25/2013 6:12:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GLHX2112]
[#36]
Just fired my generator up for the first time this year. Started on first pull.
I can't find my paperwork, but, I'm pretty sure I have not run it since July of last year, after completing the break in period. Not bad! |
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Posted: 8/25/2013 6:22:54 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By GLHX2112:
Just fired my generator up for the first time this year. Started on first pull.
I can't find my paperwork, but, I'm pretty sure I have not run it since July of last year, after completing the break in period. Not bad! Started on the first pull, that's what happens when you don't contaminate your engines with Stabil and other fuel additives that are mostly mineral spirits! Good work! |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 1:39:47 AM EDT
[#38]
Local hf at sidewalk sale again 2 new in box ones for $32 and one big one out of the box a 3200watt one for like 150. I was hoping to get them at 75 off again like earlier this year but they dropped the price earlier than they did before so by the time I got back it was all gone
 . Might should have bought them anyway but I still haven't played with the $20 one from last time.
I did score a 10" compound miter saw, palm sander, cordless jigsaw and a reciprocating saw for $48 .
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 2:44:57 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By EXPY37:
Started on the first pull, that's what happens when you don't contaminate your engines with Stabil and other fuel additives that are mostly mineral spirits! Good work! Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By EXPY37:
Originally Posted By GLHX2112:
Just fired my generator up for the first time this year. Started on first pull.
I can't find my paperwork, but, I'm pretty sure I have not run it since July of last year, after completing the break in period. Not bad! Started on the first pull, that's what happens when you don't contaminate your engines with Stabil and other fuel additives that are mostly mineral spirits! Good work! Stabil is roughly 95% naptha, which is kind of like gasoline and used to make gasoline. I added a little to my 2 gallons of 90* ethanol free gas and I'm not too worried. Chris |
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 5:12:20 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 1LTfptg:
I wouldn't hook up a $700 computer to a $79 generator if i were you. not if you want to keep your computers hard drive. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 1LTfptg:
Originally Posted By Blackoperations:
Originally Posted By easy610:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/easy610/thisthread.jpg Awaiting any additional insight....thanks for the post. I'm a generator idiot. What could you run with this, household items as example....? not much at the same time, however, a chest freezer/fridge (depending on size). Lights, TV computers, fans...the list goes on. I wouldn't hook up a $700 computer to a $79 generator if i were you. not if you want to keep your computers hard drive. You're already rolling the dice if you don't have your computer on a UPS, even on public utilities. Running that through a UPS to your PC shouldn't be a big deal. |
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IA, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 8:25:55 AM EDT
[#41]
The fuel used is 92 octane mixed at a 32:1 ratio as I don't know what kind of break in these have had. I have pulled the air filter and cleaned it. Given the shot of starting fluid on the first pull and same results. I have worked on and revived enough 2 stroke small engines to know where to look at with them. The way it is acting is almost like it is starved for fuel. The only thing I haven't checked is the reeds for the intake. I just figured that I could get a little insight from some of you who have these and may have experienced some problems with them.
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Posted: 8/26/2013 8:30:51 AM EDT
[Last Edit: EXPY37]
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ChrisGarrett:
Stabil is roughly 95% naptha, which is kind of like gasoline and used to make gasoline. I added a little to my 2 gallons of 90* ethanol free gas and I'm not too worried. Chris Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ChrisGarrett:
Originally Posted By EXPY37:
Originally Posted By GLHX2112:
Just fired my generator up for the first time this year. Started on first pull.
I can't find my paperwork, but, I'm pretty sure I have not run it since July of last year, after completing the break in period. Not bad! Started on the first pull, that's what happens when you don't contaminate your engines with Stabil and other fuel additives that are mostly mineral spirits! Good work! Stabil is roughly 95% naptha, which is kind of like gasoline and used to make gasoline. I added a little to my 2 gallons of 90* ethanol free gas and I'm not too worried. Chris Naptha is Coleman fuel....
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Posted: 8/26/2013 11:13:53 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MCSquared:
You're already rolling the dice if you don't have your computer on a UPS, even on public utilities. Running that through a UPS to your PC shouldn't be a big deal. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MCSquared:
Originally Posted By 1LTfptg:
Originally Posted By Blackoperations:
Originally Posted By easy610:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/easy610/thisthread.jpg Awaiting any additional insight....thanks for the post. I'm a generator idiot. What could you run with this, household items as example....? not much at the same time, however, a chest freezer/fridge (depending on size). Lights, TV computers, fans...the list goes on. I wouldn't hook up a $700 computer to a $79 generator if i were you. not if you want to keep your computers hard drive. You're already rolling the dice if you don't have your computer on a UPS, even on public utilities. Running that through a UPS to your PC shouldn't be a big deal. a ups doesn't condition power. spikes and unclean power issues will still get through to the devices. the ups only switched to battery when ac line voltage drops below it's threshold. a ups won't do much for crap AC input. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 2:02:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ChrisGarrett]
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By EXPY37:
Naptha is Coleman fuel.... And McDonalds 'secret sauce' is 95% mayonaise, but it's that final 5% that takes a product from pedestrian to the sublime. I have a gallon of Coleman white gas/naptha here, still sealed and I wonder if it's any good? Probably close to two years old, by now. Maybe I should have added some Stabil to it...badda boom! Chris |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 6:04:19 PM EDT
[#45]
My neighbor gave me a can of Coleman fuel and the price sticker was still on it.
$ 1.27 Probably a little more than two years old.
Sealed can and the fuel was still good. My lanterns didn't complain. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 8/26/2013 9:45:09 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By thezman:
My neighbor gave me a can of Coleman fuel and the price sticker was still on it. $ 1.27 Probably a little more than two years old.
Sealed can and the fuel was still good. My lanterns didn't complain. Thanks for your input, as I paid $9.99 per gallon from BassRapeShops and I wasn't sure if the stuff went bad. It's an emergency 'thing' so I haven't opened it up to run it in my Coleman single burner stove, or dual fuel lantern. Chris |
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Posted: 8/26/2013 11:24:23 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ChrisGarrett:
I have a gallon of Coleman white gas/naptha here, still sealed and I wonder if it's any good? Probably close to two years old, by now. Maybe I should have added some Stabil to it...badda boom! Chris I'm still burning my Dad's Coleman fuel that's 10 times that old in opened containers. Don't waste the Stabil, it's not needed. |
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Posted: 8/26/2013 11:57:25 PM EDT
[#48]
Coleman fuel in seal containers will last longer than any of us.
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Posted: 8/27/2013 2:22:00 AM EDT
[#49]
I run mine at 32:1 - 40:1 to lean up the mixture a bit since I live above 7000ft.
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Posted: 8/27/2013 12:23:16 PM EDT
[Last Edit: GLHX2112]
[#50]
Not sure if it mattered or not, but, I stored my little genny inside my home (not in my basement) for the past year. I have an un-heated detached garage that gets chilly/damp/nasty during winter months, so I figured better safe than sorry.
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