[Larred]

A friend of mine is curious, and since he know's I'm pretty "well connected" on the web he asked me about his new generator. His question is, should he keep the tank empty, in anticipation of filling it up in an emergency, or keep it full of gas with a "stabilizer" added?

I was told by the place that I bought my lawn equipment from to just add the stabilizer (for winterization) and I'd be fine. He's not so sure and I'm not willing to press my opinion...

So, thoughts?

[big kumara]

Stabilizer and fire it up at regular intervals. The big generator at work turns itself on and runs for 30 minutes once a week (thursdays at 1.05 pm). We start up the small back-up back-up generators once a month for about 20 minutes. A generator that sits idle for long periods of time is an unhappy machine.

[A.T.Hagan]

Stabilizer and run it once a month UNDER LOAD.

.....Alan.

[Hamilton Felix]

Gotta go with Big K and ATH. I have some inexpensive gasoline generators for the rentals. I try to run them regularly. And I have learned the hard way to always SHUT THE FUEL OFF when storing them.

I try to remember to put some stabilizer in the gas, if I think they'll be sitting for a few months in summer. But the best insurance is to run 'em regularly, to be sure they'll work when really needed.

The emergency diesels (and a little propane unit) we have for our generating plants are run and warmed up regularly. It's a constant source of frustration to me that I can put the Gorge Dam service onto our 80kw diesel, but I have no way to fully load the machine. The 440kw diesel at the Gorge Powerhouse is designed to be run paralleled with the system, so I test it at full load.

Winter is here. Be ready.

[Larred]

Thanks for the info guys, I will pass it along...

Hey HF, I are you a power house operator? I have a good friend who's retired from running Dworshack in Orofino ID... (Just thinking if you've been there long enough you might know him, he's been retired for 5-6 years (can't remember exactly)...

[Hamilton Felix]

Yes, to being a Hydroelectric Operator. No to knowing your friend. But who knows? Maybe we'll meet. After 30 years with Seattle City Light, I'm looking. Time to take my retirement and go work at another utility. I called Albeni Falls control room this afternoon, but no answer. I hear they may need a man. Northern Idaho is nice, even if I am a Washington native. :D

[Larred]

Hey HF, I sent you a PM...