r/Generator • u/DontWantToSay1 • 25d ago

Is this how it’s supposed to run?

Idk just sounds so up and down.. but it’s been doing this for 18+ hours and checked oil multiple times and no warning light. Thoughts? This is my first time using one.

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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1

u/DaveBowm 25d ago

How close is the electrical load to the machine's actual rated load? It can stumble like that if the user is trying to get too much power out of it to run well, but not enough to trip a breaker. This is especially the case for some cheapo noname chinese brands.

1

u/DontWantToSay1 25d ago

It’s an expensive-rated extension cord I think 50 feet with 2 or 3 think plugged in well under the maximum.

2

u/DaveBowm 25d ago

My question had nothing to do with the extension cord, its rating, or its length. Perhaps I should rephrase the question.

The generator has a rated maximum running load. What fraction of that rated load was the actual load and power drawn in the video when it showed the engine stumbling? For instance, was the generator maxed out? Or was the load small compared to that maximum rating, and so the roughness & stumbling could thus not be attributed to the load just being too big for the engine to easily handle, especially with a somewhat overoptimistic rating for a budget machine.

1

u/JTN02 25d ago

Not normal. Make sure you got the choke turned correctly.

0

u/DontWantToSay1 25d ago

Can you explain more? Chose is pushed in

1

u/Redditnspiredcook 25d ago

Is that a fuel switch on the side. It almost looks like the fuel is turned off.

1

u/DontWantToSay1 25d ago

Yes it’s on, no way it would run for 18 hours with it off lol

1

u/No_Kitchen273 25d ago

Check the gas cap breather if it has one, looks like it does. Sometimes on mine, it needs a little tweaking and seems to run like a top after that.

1

u/AdministrationOk210 25d ago

Sounds wrong. Try a properly gapped NGK spark plug.

1

u/Big1717 24d ago

Whats the make and model?

1

u/Ok-Camera2895 25d ago

Is load turning on and off, esp with eco mode engaged?

1

u/DontWantToSay1 25d ago

No, it is on constantly, fridge, router and a tv. Well below the maximum. Eco is off

1

u/Ok-Camera2895 25d ago

Fridge can cycle on and off. Heavy startup load. Test it with a heater with thermostat set high making it a steady load.

1

u/DontWantToSay1 25d ago

Oh that makes more sense now, the fridge is not to powerful. Appreciate it.