professor95 wrote: And, what happens to the conventional oil in the mix when temperatures rise beyond their normal flash point? My take is the addition of synthetic to a conventional oil will do little to change the point of breakdown for the conventional part.
Please understand I don't want to turn the generator forum into an oil forum. I just want to get a good feel as to what really is a better lubricant for the small air cooled engines used to power these gensets.
The issue is not the Flash Point where the oil vapors will support combustion but the tendency of an oil to "Coke" or form carbon that can require a chisel to remove.
Regular oil gives up the ghost in the mid 300deg. range, Semi-Synthetics hold out into the High 300- Low 400 Degree range and a full synthetic and provide good lube characteristics in the mid 400 to almost 500 degree range. These are temps that no portable generator will survive even if the oil was totally indestructible.
Synthetic is the BEST, Semi- is BETTER, and regular oil is GOOD.
The key isn't what type of oil that is used, it is CHANGING it in your Genset fairly frequently. There is a little more than ONE-HALF a Quart of oil that has to do all that work. Don't be cheap, change, change, change. I Do so once a trip or every month if I use it regularly. If it is only on Standby, it get's changed every 6 mo's with 30-60 minutes of "exercise" after the change.
Oil is Cheap when it comes to reliability, even the more expensive Synthetic.
Oldfordman wrote: The issue is not the Flash Point where the oil vapors will support combustion but the tendency of an oil to "Coke" or form carbon that can require a chisel to remove. (SNIP)
Well, Mike, you certainly have impressed me with your background and knowledge about oil. I still cannot figure out what West Coast company made purple oil other than Royal Purple. All the purple oil I remember was 2-cycle.
I totally agree on oil changes for the little 200cc genny engines. There is a low volume and no filtration. It gets dirty fast!
Thanks for the info.
Professor Randy T. Agee & Nancy Agee
Mechanicsville, VA
2009 Cedar Creek 34SATS - 3 SO - Fireplace!
1999 GMC 3500 4x4 dually.
ol Bombero-JC wrote: The Electrical Champs in this case are rental Aggreko units, one
per trailer (the link shows a flat-bed with two).
Interesting.........
Unfortunately, Virginia does not allow double trailer towing. Additionally, the size and weight of the trailer would possibly exceed my max towing capacity.
But, if one wanted to put a real Champ, like the 7,500 Watt model, on a small 4x4 foot Harbour Freight or Northern Tool trailer and build a box around it, they might have something both quite and very portable.
BTW, today is the day China shuts down all major air pollution sources including factories, cars, trucks, etc. to get the air clean for the Olympics. Shutdown could create shortages of some imported goods (generators?).
Also, I have noted that the local Sunday newspaper no longer has the 4 page color flyer from Pep Boys. It has been absent for several months. Of course, one of the lead items in the flyers were the WEN Power Pro Gensets. Perhaps the cost was too high for Pep Boys to continue?
I stopped in our local TSC store yesterday. I was surprised to see (or not see?) any gensets at all in stock. Don't know if they sold out or just were not there.
Looks like we picked a good time to come home from the NC coast. WX report looks like our beach camping place is getting socked with high wind and heavy rain. We also hit what appeared to be a "gas war" in Kinston, NC. Regular unleaded was $3.73 a gallon at several stations. Every where else was over the $4 mark - some as high as $4.19. Unfortunately, there were long lines and no room for a 60 foot long rig to pull in. Had to pay $3.95 further down the road at a Love's Truckstop.
But, if one wanted to put a real Champ, like the 7,500 Watt model, on a small 4x4 foot Harbour Freight or Northern Tool trailer and build a box around it, they might have something both quite and very portable.
Great idea, but Prof, all hat and no cattle.
From Texas,
Floyd
Guess when I get my arm out of this sling the 3 1/2" walled box needs to be completed. Just waiting for your Hardie product project to be tested with some dbA reports. Perhaps before I move forward you will give us a heads up.
professor95 wrote: Also, I have noted that the local Sunday newspaper no longer has the 4 page color flyer from Pep Boys. It has been absent for several months. Of course, one of the lead items in the flyers were the WEN Power Pro Gensets. Perhaps the cost was too high for Pep Boys to continue?
They’re still selling the WEN Power Pro 3500 for $299.98 in my area. You can check your local Pep Boys ad online. Just go to their website and click the link for In-Store Specials. Then just put in your zip code and you can then browse your local ad.
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