Operation of the generator is a champion in winter conditions. Starting an electric generator in winter
To do this, it is recommended to carry out maintenance (MOT) of the generator: completely drain all remaining fuel from the gas tank and carburetor. Be sure to clean the filter and check the spark plugs. Change the oil, because used lubricant mixtures, solidifying in the crankcase, contaminate it, which may lead to starting difficulties in the future. After unscrewing the spark plug, a small volume of oil is injected into the combustion chamber. Also, about 150 ml of engine oil is poured into an empty gas tank and the electric generator is tilted in different sides, is distributed along the inner walls of the tank. Anti-corrosion protection can be applied to the outer casing. Pack the generator in a box and store it in a dry, preferably heated room or in special all-weather containers or enclosures. You should not store fuel for more than 30 days, because The octane number of gasoline decreases, the fuel loses the necessary properties.
Recommendations for storing electric generators may vary depending on different manufacturers. Preservation instructions can be read in the accompanying technical documents.
This is not the way to store an electric generator.!
Otherwise, there will be big problems with the launch!
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In the cold season, problems may arise when starting a gasoline generator, since the temperature is guaranteed stable operation unit is about -15 °C, so to facilitate winter operation there are several solutions:
First of all, this is the use of a special protective casing on the generator. It protects equipment from hypothermia, so the engine will start in such a container at any temperature. Another one of him a definite plus is to reduce noise levels.
Also pay attention that the generator does not have any malfunctions in the form of clogged air filter or a faulty spark plug. It is also not recommended to skimp on fuel quality; this can also cause your equipment to not want to operate at sub-zero temperatures.
The presence of a coolant heater in the design of the unit. This function is especially necessary in those latitudes where winters are especially severe and where the power plant has been idle for a long time (the lubricant and fuel have thickened).
The larger the capacity battery, the better, so for the winter, purchase a battery with a capacity of at least 20 Ah.
Sometimes a situation occurs when the battery weakens and the gasoline generator cannot be started. Aerosols are sold specifically for such cases to make starting easier. You just need to spray the mixture next to the air cleaner and wait 20 seconds, then start the engine. If this does not help, then there is only one way out - buy a more powerful battery.
How to start a gasoline generator in winter?
Before starting the equipment, you should check the oil level. At the same time, always choose a quality product, because otherwise the generator may not start or, even worse, become unusable ahead of time.
Next, we select fuel for winter use. It is best to use unleaded gasoline, as it is of higher quality and is more suitable for low temperatures. Never buy fuel diluted with water. In addition, when operating the generator, run out of gasoline completely until the engine stops on its own.
After this, run the generator at zero load (be sure to turn off the power to the tools that are supplied by it). Turn on the ignition and close the choke.
If the generator has a manual start type, then pull the starting cord towards you until resistance appears. After this, make a sharp jerk, the generator should start. If it doesn’t work the first time, then repeat the above steps. First, let the equipment warm up well and open the air damper.
If the generator is started using a starter, then before starting work, check that the terminals are securely fastened and that the polarity is correct.
Units with automatic system the starters turn on on their own, however, it is not recommended to immediately apply a load after switching on; the generator should warm up well at idle.
Unfortunately, there are cases when, even with high-quality fuel and good heating, the generator still does not start. What is the reason? Let's figure it out.
1. After the engine has cooled down, fuel system Condensation may form. This is why the unit stops restarting. You can solve the problem by trying to warm up the gas tap and thus get rid of frozen condensate. You can bring the generator into warm room and wait a couple of hours. The main thing is not to use it for warming up. open fire, it's dangerous.
2. The engine does not start due to a flooded spark plug. In this case, remove the spark plug and carefully clean it, remove any adhering oil and carbon deposits using sandpaper. Also, if you wish, you can warm it up, with warm candle the generator will start faster.
in "BUCKOUT" stores.
Let's agree right away. We are not interested in hybrid generators because hybrid generators use both gasoline and liquefied gas, in their nature and calorific value they are so similar that no problems will arise other than an incorrectly selected reduction gear and a small evaporation area in the cylinder, due to which freezing will occur. On the other hand, these generators are very difficult to automate, and then starting and stopping lies on the shoulders of the owner, who will change the type of fuel and start the generator manually.
IN in this case we will talk about generators in automatic mode, which must be started without human intervention, and, therefore, different requirements for starting, maximum operating time and special means, which should help launch in the winter.
So, in winter, the launch is affected by 3 main reasons:
- good battery
- good oil,
- quality fuel.
Of course, all these requirements may be ideal, but if a low-quality engine is used or improper maintenance is used, they will not help. In one of the articles I talked about some of the nuances of engines (How to choose a reliable engine?), but now we are not talking about that.
What happens at startup?
Let's assume that we have a perfectly tuned, charged generator with a good, powerful, charged battery. The temperature in winter “floats”, it can be from -1 to -38 and the oil, once frozen, retains this temperature and excess viscosity for a very long time. So what, you ask, is it:
a) did not freeze and did not freeze everything inside,
b) the contact area of the engine parts is small and the engine should crank, despite the fact that the oil now resembles candied honey rather than liquid.
And you'd be right, but try pulling the recoil starter and you'll feel some serious resistance. It comes from one small part called a decompressor - here it is, located on a large gear.
A small mechanism designed to make it easier to start the engine from a manual starter plays a cruel joke in winter and does more harm to starting than it helps. On the one hand, it should make starting easier due to the fact that the exhaust valve is slightly open, but in practice it either blocks the opening of the exhaust valve or prevents the decompressor from working.
Despite the fact that the engine rotates and there is a spark, it does not start, because there is no initial ignition in the cylinder - the lean mixture that gets in there just as calmly flies out.
In the case of an open decompressor, the engine simply does not pick up speed, because the starter power is insufficient, it is designed for use in an engine with a decompressor, the battery, which is overwhelmingly gel, 9 a/h, and when this gel hardens, is unlikely to will be able to provide more than 5-7 launch attempts.
This is where proposals to equip the battery and engine with heating, etc. begin. etc., but no one, mind you, NO ONE will give a guarantee of starting in winter and at the same time will not remind you that good heating costs as much as a whole generator, and it will also constantly consume electricity, since heating these parts requires 200-300 Watts per hour, otherwise it will only be calming without any effect.
As a result, one conclusion suggests itself: if you do not use a branded engine, the materials of which are selected with high quality, the battery is suitable for the task, fill in old or low-quality gasoline, operate an unadjusted or universal gas system, then in minus temperature you will encounter problems at startup.
As another reminder, I list the engine manufacturers that can be described as branded: Honda, B&S, Kohler, Robin-Subaru, Mitsubishi, Generac. This, in principle, is the entire list of engines that are present on the market in Russia, the rest are more or less “labels” - that is, engines assembled in China with a sticker from some “manufacturer”. I wrote about this in more detail in the article (see link).
But there is also a way out, as I have already described, the power plants on the market are not designed to operate in cold climates. The Russian market is too small for China to develop generators for us. But, taking into account the experience of 14 years of work and production, we have assembled power plants for cold climates, which are specially designed to start in deep minus, and there is no magic. We simply took ANOTHER engine and configured it taking into account launch experience and Russian conditions.
1. Engine of power station GG6-SV DOES NOT HAVE A DECOMPRESSOR. It was removed. Along with this, the need arose for a more powerful starter, and look, the GG6-SV starter is almost 4 times more powerful than similar stations (!). The first photo shows a GG-6SV starter and next to it a starter for any other station with a power of 5 to 7 kW. On the second - the same thing - installed on the engine for clarity.
Modern gasoline, diesel and gas generators are reliable devices that are equipped with several levels of protection.
The presence of special elements allows you to protect equipment and prevent its failure. However, even the most advanced and secure system is not able to work stably if it is not launched correctly. Only by understanding how to start a generator can you ensure efficient operation of the equipment in any conditions.
Proper startup and use of the device reduces to zero the possibility of breakdowns due to the human factor and guarantees the longevity of the generator.
Preparatory work
After unpacking the power plant, it must be carefully examined to ensure that there are no breakages or defects that could have occurred during transportation. Before starting the generator, you need to make sure that all components are connected to each other.
When purchasing a new generator, it comes with instructions from the manufacturer, which you need to read. Even if you are an experienced specialist who has already dealt with energy-generating devices, it is possible that this model distinguished by its special properties. The generator is a high-tech device, and almost every model on the market has its own nuances that you need to pay attention to during use.
Before starting the generator, it will be necessary to fill the device with suitable and high-quality oil. Considering the fact that the generator consumes a minimal amount of oil, it is best not to save money and buy proven brands, since it is the quality of the oil that matters main role in ensuring equipment durability. In the process of choosing oil, it is necessary to take into account the features temperature regime areas where the generator will be used.
Starting different types of generator
Starting petrol, diesel, gas generator must be carried out taking into account the characteristics of each individual species. Only strict adherence to the rules will allow correct launch and not damage the equipment.
Launch types
To turn on any unit, you need to take into account the features of the starting system. Featured on modern market generators are distinguished by the following engine starting systems:
A mechanical system that can very often be seen in gasoline and diesel power plants. In order to start such a generator, you need to pull the cord handle towards you until you feel resistance. There are times when the power unit refuses to start the first time. You just need to repeat the procedure until the generator starts working. If installed inverter generator, then you will need to perform slightly different manipulations. Before starting the generator, you should connect the power and only then pull the handle and open the air damper; 
Starting using an electric starter. Before starting the generator of this type, you must make sure that the terminal is securely fastened. You should also make sure that the battery is installed and ready to use. The fact is that not all manufacturers equip their units with built-in batteries, as a result of which they have to be purchased separately;
Automatic start. Distinctive feature units with a self-start function is that they turn on immediately after a power outage. Before switching the load, you need to let the unit idle so that in the future it can provide stable power generation.
Using a diesel generator in cold weather
Starting a diesel generator in the cold in winter is a complex process that requires strict adherence to the rules. Otherwise, the unit may be damaged. When trying to start the generator with low temperatures A number of problems may arise that can only be solved in a comprehensive manner.
The first way to solve this problem is to install a pre-heater on the cooling circuit power plant. This device is used to heat the liquid in the cooling system, which may freeze due to low temperatures.
The second option is more practical: it involves placing the diesel generator in a special container that protects the unit from excessive cold. If the device is in such a container, then starting it will not be difficult even in the most severe frosts. The distinctive advantage of such containers is that they not only protect from the cold, but also significantly reduce the level of noise produced. That is why starting a diesel generator in cold winter conditions is considered the best option.
Features of starting a gas generator
Before starting the generator gas type, it is extremely important to ensure that there is enough oil and also to disconnect the load.
After all the necessary manipulations have been completed, you should:
Turn on the tap that is responsible for the gas supply;
Turn on the power plant;
Close the air damper.
All other manipulations fully coincide with those that need to be done when working with other types of devices.
Features of engine running-in
If the power unit is being launched for the first time, it is necessary to run it in, which will have a positive effect on the durability of the device. The essence of the run-in is to turn on the equipment at 50% power and let it work for two hours. In this case, you should constantly monitor the oil level, thanks to which you will also be able to find out how much oil the generator actually consumes during its operation. Such equipment cannot stand idle. long time, as this negatively affects the time of its uninterrupted operation.
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Almost everyone who has a gasoline generator faces the same problem. In winter, as well early spring And late autumn, when the temperature drops below +5℃, it is not so easy to start it. At the same time, there are no difficulties with starting in the warm season. It is immediately clear that the problem occurs if the device is left in unheated room(garage, shed, etc.) or just outside when the air temperature is low enough. How is the startup problem solved in this case?
The simplest option (all gasoline generators with a manual starter react positively to such actions) is to bring the unit into a warm room, let it stand there and warm up. After this, it will easily start on the street. However, this procedure, despite its simplicity, has significant drawback- takes a lot of time. Some craftsmen suggest speeding up the procedure by heating the carburetor with a burner. But this is strictly prohibited, because winter operation of a gas generator must be extremely safe.
The second simple starting option is to inject an aerosol from a so-called “quick start” can into the carburetor. Such compositions are produced by different companies, the capacity may vary. Buy in advance, before the cold weather sets in, and you won’t have any problems starting the generator!
What else could be the reason for the inability to start?
The fact is that the operation of a gas generator in winter time does not eliminate startup problems that can happen at any time of the year.
The cause of instability of the generator may be a clogged air filter, which is either purged or changed. Now you know how to start a gas generator in winter. We hope you find our advice useful.