StaBil December 10, 2014, 12:26:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149860Dear Group,I own a 2013 FD with v10 engine. Just added StaBil to the gasoline and ran generator. What is the groups opinion on running the generator during the winter. Is it still necessary? If so do I just need to do it less often?Thanks for your opinions. This group has been a great resource. R S Brownson
Re: StaBil Reply #1 – December 10, 2014, 01:07:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149861"What is the groups opinion on running the generator during the winter. Is it still necessary? If so do I just need to do it less often?"It's best to follow the Owner's Manual and run the generator every month. Besides heating the engine's oil, to drive out moisture, it is just as important to get the generator's electrical windings hot too as moisture breaks down the insulation. For cold conditions, a one hour monthly run, under a full load, is recommended. Run a couple electrical heaters at the same time. In warm climates, shorter run times may be adequate to get the desire results. Under all conditions, monthly runs are recommended and will not cause harm.Generators, when exercised regularly, last longer and have fewer problems overall.Larry
Re: StaBil Reply #2 – December 10, 2014, 01:55:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149862Something I've done for years on snow blowers, garden equipment, sports cars, outboard engines, etc, is to mix Sta-Bil as-per directions, and to also add some Seafoam. The Seafoam will keep the little passages in the carb clean and help prevent starting and running problems. Granted the generator takes it's fuel from the main tank, so I always have some mixed in my fuel tank on the RV as well. Wal Mart has the best price I've found. It's really good for keeping fuel injectors clean in the RV engine. I'm sure there are other fuel additives that will do as good of a job, I've just had a long running history of using Seafoam, so it's the only cleaner additive I use.Don
Re: StaBil Reply #3 – December 10, 2014, 02:28:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149864I add Stabil to the gas tank before putting the LD into storage for the winter (indoors). I DO NOT run the engine or the generator all winter. She starts right up in the Spring and the first thing I do is change the oil.Todd
Re: StaBil Reply #4 – December 10, 2014, 09:56:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149868Just curious, Todd. Everything I read and all the advice one sees about RV gensets and all the manuals say you should "exercise" it during periods of non-use, especially in the winter. Why would you disregard such sound advice?Chris
Re: StaBil Reply #5 – December 11, 2014, 09:58:26 am Yahoo Message Number: 149874I checked in with this group last year and was advised not to start the engine during LT storage. The MH sits inside and the temperature is below freezing for 4 months (Minnesota). And from a practical point of view, I am a tax accountant and work 12 hours a day 7 days a week during tax season and don't have time to run over and do it. I do immediately service the unit in April and get the oil changed.Todd
Re: StaBil Reply #6 – December 11, 2014, 11:28:13 am Yahoo Message Number: 149875I have always been told to change the oil before the winter than after winter. You do not want the old oil laying the the engine along with its contaminates.GeorgeRetired plumber.
Re: StaBil Reply #7 – December 12, 2014, 03:51:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149889Dear Group, Thanks for all your StaBil opinions. I have one more thought to add to the mix. My neighbor is a retired Park Service mechanic. He uses StaBil on all his engines and does not run them through the winter. Another neighbor points out that our LD's usually sit longer than lawn mowers and likely do need to be run because of this. Thanks for your opinions. Robert(aka Sandy) Brownson
Re: StaBil Reply #8 – December 13, 2014, 12:29:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 149896Food for though. How many boats set in moth ball all winter. The biggest problem is the gas setting in the carb all winter and turning to sugar. But that is not a problem with the new EFI systems on the MH engines. But it is a problem with the on board gen. I'm once again thinking of putting a 3 way valve on the gen so that I can run the carb dry and at the same time use gas with Sta Bil to do so.
Re: StaBil Reply #9 – December 13, 2014, 10:34:28 am Yahoo Message Number: 149897The carb on my generator ('05) has a carb drain screw on the side of the bowl facing out so it's easy to get to. Loosening the screw drains the gas from the carb bowl. When it's time to start the generator again, holding the start switch in the "prime" position for a few seconds longer than normal fills the carb bowl for starting.bumper
Re: StaBil Reply #10 – December 13, 2014, 11:25:22 am Yahoo Message Number: 149898"The biggest problem is the gas setting in the carb all winter and turning to sugar"It doesn't turn to sugar. Gasoline in made from many various petroleum distillates and a small amount of additives. When gasoline sits for a period of time, the lighter distillates evaporate away, leaving behind a thicker and continuing to thicken residual oil. With enough time and fuel, the small passages in the carburetor will plug with this goo, requiring a good cleaning or replacement. StaBil just slows the process down.If you are putting the rig away for the winter, StaBil is the ticket. If you plan on starting or driving the rig occasionally during the winter, forget the StaBil and run the generator at the same time to power the electric heaters. This would be the best approach. We do this in the summer, running the roof A/C on the generator, while driving, to accumulate enough exercise runtime. Generators hate sitting, StaBil or not.. Run it monthly if you can.Larry
Re: StaBil Reply #11 – December 13, 2014, 01:46:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 149900I run the generator once a month for 1-2 hours with either A.C. on or my little electric heater on high setting. Never needed Stabil as I full time. Have more hours exercising it than actually using it. 595 hr.s on trusty Emerald 4000 plus.Bob
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Topic: StaBil (Read 8 times)
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