Posted: 4/11/2013 9:03:31 PM EDT
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if a brand new generator sits, boxed, in a warehouse for a few years would anything "go bad"?
I read some time ago about some part losing magnetic properties, or something to that effect, so thought I'd ask here. 
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I don't see how anything would loose its magnetic properties. However, sitting is good for nothing, especially engines. I would be more concerned about seals drying out, valves getting stuck and overall rust type issues. ETA: Engines that are boxed from the factory should be fogged and oiled, intended for storage for a few years. I say "should", just because you never know. |
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I think you are speaking of re-flashing.
I keep my generators ready to go. That means firing them up at least once every 6 months and putting a load on them. |
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Quoted: How do you know it's not doa? This. I bought a McCulloch in 2007. Brand new and in the box it sat for 5 years before I decided one day to fire it up. It wouldn't start. The low oil shut off sensor was bad. Unplug the sensor and it cranked right up. Fire it up and make there is nothing wrong and then maintain from there. |
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Quoted:
I think you are speaking of re-flashing. I keep my generators ready to go. That means firing them up at least once every 6 months and putting a load on them. Some (i.e., better) generators have pretty powerful permanent magnets and will never, realistically speaking, need to be field flashed. Others, like the little 2 cycle Harbor Freight 800w unit, can lose their residual magnetism and require a quick flash. It's a pretty simple process that can be done a number of ways. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
How do you know it's not doa? This. I bought a McCulloch in 2007. Brand new and in the box it sat for 5 years before I decided one day to fire it up. It wouldn't start. The low oil shut off sensor was bad. Unplug the sensor and it cranked right up. Fire it up and make there is nothing wrong and then maintain from there. Yep. Buying a new generator and then not giving it a good break-in is a really risky proposition. "Infant mortality" is a genuine, well-documented problem with most new mechanical and electrical devices - If it fails, there's a VERY strong chance it will fail either right out of the box, or shortly thereafter. You want it to fail (1.) while it's still under warranty (or better yet, soon enough to allow an immediate exchange), and (2.) while the dealer is still around to honor the warranty/exchange policy. "Lost magnetism" is a problem that can occur at any time in the generator's lifespan - And most portable, non-inverter generators are susceptible to it. Fortunately, it's easy to fix. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
How do you know it's not doa? This. I bought a McCulloch in 2007. Brand new and in the box it sat for 5 years before I decided one day to fire it up. It wouldn't start. The low oil shut off sensor was bad. Unplug the sensor and it cranked right up. Fire it up and make there is nothing wrong and then maintain from there. Yep. Buying a new generator and then not giving it a good break-in is a really risky proposition. "Infant mortality" is a genuine, well-documented problem with most new mechanical and electrical devices - If it fails, there's a VERY strong chance it will fail either right out of the box, or shortly thereafter. You want it to fail (1.) while it's still under warranty (or better yet, soon enough to allow an immediate exchange), and (2.) while the dealer is still around to honor the warranty/exchange policy. "Lost magnetism" is a problem that can occur at any time in the generator's lifespan - And most portable, non-inverter generators are susceptible to it. Fortunately, it's easy to fix. Step 1 from the link... "Plug the electric drill into the generator receptacle. (Cordless drills do not work)" Why not, ah, no cord... Just put them into their charger and plug it in. |
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Thanks! All good points to take into consideration.
So, to summarize: 1. Start up and do break in to ensure generaor is not DOA and actaully works. For the lazy inclined this now begins the routine scheduled maintenance requirements. While it may be an option to buy then leave in the box a new generator, to avoid the "burden" of routine maintenance, when you need it is not the best time to find out it's defective. 2. Lost magnetism - easy fix. |