Generators in the cold

[bak2MN]

Has anyone had issues with thier generators freezing up in the cold? Could you build a insulated box for it and would that help or would it hinder the way it runs? Thanks for any input.

[BucksnDucks]

Im sure you could build an insulated box for it, aslong as you cut a hole for the air intake and exhaust. I cant see why you would need to do that being its a gas combustion motor, it should warm from the heat off the engine. I guess the only problem I could see is if you let it sit out over nite in the sub-zero temps as of lately. Even then were still only talkn a very small motor that even most 5 yr. olds could pull over. Unless your thinkn of those huge noisy types of generators that contractors, then they might take alittle more of a Pop-Eye to pull em over.

[bak2MN]

The problem I have had with mine is when it runs for awhile (several hours) the air filter and carb area has frost and ice build up around it and wants to run rough. I have to bring it in and let it thaw out.

[Ryan_V]

my honda will shut down with the "low oil" alert when it's this cold. just have to start it a couple times to get the oil going. Then at night, I just bring it in the back door of the fish house so it stays warmer, bring it outside in the morning and she pops off after one pull and runs all day long.

[bopper4]

I was up north last weekend in 30 to 40 below and had no problem. I put mine in the box of my truck and crack my tunnel cover.

[bak2MN]

I had mine in the box but had the tailgate open.

[acesinthehole]

I was up at LOW in a sleeper this past weekend and our guy just had a 3 sided box made of 1/2 in plywood. We brought it it from midnight to Six and had no problems.

[Shack]

I have a 3500w Craftsman I used on Mille Lacs with my perm. house. I just set it in a small black Otter type sled (On ice it will melt ice and freeze in) and run light synthetic oil in the crankcase. I would let it run at night to run TV and fans. It would run out of gas at 3-4am and pull over fine enough to restart at 7 or 8am. This was in 20-30 below ) weather.

[minnbowhunter]

You did'nt say what brand you had but my Honda was a small plastic breather tube running out the bottom of the unit. Make sure the tube is clear of snow, I set mine on an old doormat outside. I have have it start fine and run perfect at -36 on Winnie. And remember to change your oil every 8 hrs.

[GBPackerNut]

I used Honda EU2000i and EU3000 generators in -30 weather before without any major issues, it wasnt on snow, or for an Ice shack.

Both generators were on a piece of plywood, just outside of the communications shed, as long as I kept fuel in them, no problems.

I run synthetic oil in the generators we use, and change every 48 to 96 hours of run time, depending on situation. Never had a EU fail on me yet, with literally thousands of hours across about 6 different generators.

The thing with them, is I broke each engine in with a specific routine before putting into service.

first 2 hours: 15min run at eco, 30 min off, repeat, change oil

hours 2-4: 2 hours straight, eco, change oil

hours 4-12: 8 hours straight, eco-off(full throttle) change oil

hours 12-20: 8 hours straight, eco-off(full throttle) change oil

hours 20+: any duration, any setting, change oil every 48 to 96 hours

One important note, is do NOT break a generator in with no load, if you need to plug a 500w halogen floodlight in and let it load the circuitry.

Also do NOT break a generator in with synthetic oil, use the conventional oil recommended by manufacturer. After 20 hours or so, it is safe to switch to synthetic.

During your first two oil changes you will notice alot of metallics in the dirty oil, dont worry, it's fine.

Also the "low oil alert" is a little more finicky with synthetic oil, and sometimes in the extreme cold you may need to warm the generator before starting if the oil alert gives you trouble. I have 1 out of 4 EU2000i's that is weird like that.

[bak2MN]

Shack, what weight of synthetic do you use?

[minnbowhunter]

packernut, good info, sounds like you have a lot more experience with Hondas than I do. You would think the syn. oil would give you less problems with the low oil alert. I change the oil every time I take the gen out, after having problems with the unit shutting down because the dirty oil was hanging up the float for the oil alert shut off.

[Shack]

Shack, what weight of synthetic do you use?

Most times Amsoil 5w-30. I have started to use the Amsoil 0w-40 with good results.

I have just changed oil and filter once a year Never had a low oil light issue either. Some times I have run that thing 72 hours straight. Great (low noise for size) generator.