A gas generator is an ideal solution for use as a backup or emergency source of electricity, as well as for the possibility of carrying out repair work or powering devices at sites remote from the centralized power supply. It uses an internal combustion engine (carburetor) with spark ignition and external mixture formation. Part of the energy released during fuel combustion is converted into heat, and the other part is used to generate electricity by the generator.
Selecting fuel for the generator
The fuel for a gasoline generator, as is clear from its name, is gasoline, and only high-octane grades. Its specific composition and the possibility of using various additives or mixtures are determined only by the manufacturer of the engine used in the mini-power plant.
There are general fuel requirements that must be followed when operating a generator.
- for four-stroke engines, use pure motor gasoline without oil;
- It is best to use unleaded gasoline, since the use of leaded gasoline shortens the life of the engine;
- for engines with valves located on top (OHV type), the octane number must be at least 85;
- for units with side valves, the octane number should not be less than 77;
- Try to fill the tank with fresh gasoline, the shelf life of which does not exceed a month.
Oil selection
To service gasoline generators, you need to use only high-quality oils that meet the manufacturer's requirements. They must be at least SG class; an excellent option is to use oils that correspond to the SL class according to the API classification. As a universal oil that can be used under any temperature conditions, a product marked SAE 10W30 is recommended.
But these are general recommendations, and you can choose a different type depending on the operating conditions of the mini-power plant. The main criterion for choosing an oil with appropriate viscosity characteristics is the ambient temperature during generator operation. Remember that for normal operation of the power unit, it is necessary to maintain the oil level not lower than the appropriate mark and top it up regularly. In addition, it is necessary to replace both the oil and the oil filter in accordance with the maintenance schedule.
Remember that the service life of a gasoline generator directly depends on the quality of the fuel and oil used!
Generator engines are less demanding on fuel and lubricants than automobile engines, therefore it is possible to use special generator oil or automobile oil in them equally effectively. For the generator, semi-synthetic oil is sufficient - the optimal choice in terms of cost and characteristics. Next, we’ll take a closer look at what kind of oil to fill into the generator.
Classification of oils
Classification for two-stroke engines:
- JASO F – developed in Japan. For safe and comfortable operation of the generator, low-smoke JASO FC class oil is used. FD marking is suitable for heavy loads.
- ISO is a European system, based on JASO, but is demanding on engine cleanliness. ISO-L-EGD class corresponds to JASO FD.
For four-stroke engines:
- API is a standard established by the American Petroleum Institute that determines the level, performance properties and purpose of the oil. Using this system, you can select a lubricant that will match the age and type of engine. The rating system consists of a pair of letters - an index for gasoline (S) and diesel (C) engines. The second letter of the index shows the relevance of the product; the closer it is to the beginning of the alphabet, the lower the class and the older engines it is intended for. For example, SG is suitable for engines produced in 1993, SN for the most modern ones.
- SAE - classifies the viscosity and fluidity of the oil, that is, determines the seasonality of the product. The standard itself does not show the viscosity of the oil, but the temperature range in which it will perform its functions. Selected within the range permitted by the manufacturer based on the temperature at which the motor is used.
What kind of oil to pour into a gasoline four-stroke generator - according to API, no lower than SL and 10W30-10W40 according to SAE - a universal option, suitable for almost any conditions; for winter, viscosities of 5W-30 and 5W-40 are often used, but the most popular class remains 10W-40 . The marking contains 4T symbols. For diesel generators, it is not recommended to use universal oils suitable for diesel and gasoline engines. Optimal are high-quality lubricants marked CD, CE, CF-4, special oil for diesel generator engines and other diesel engines.
In two-stroke engines there is no crankcase for filling oil; the oil-gasoline mixture is poured directly into the carburetor; there are a number of specific requirements for the lubricant: it must dissolve in gasoline and burn as much as possible. Oil for a generator with a two-stroke engine has a 2T standard. This is a completely different standard than TC-W3 - oil for water-cooled engines (boat engines, jet skis, etc.), these oils cannot replace each other.
Each manufacturer makes its own recommendations on which oil to use in the generator, based on its characteristics. It's simple - follow the viscosity and API recommendations when choosing and stick to them. The choice of lubricant depends on the type of engine installed (two-stroke and four-stroke) and the fuel it consumes - gasoline or diesel.
It is not necessary to use special oil for the generator; regular car oil is suitable. Car engines are equipped with a water cooling system, generators are equipped with an air cooling system, but this does not prevent the oil from performing its function, since its boiling point is higher than the limit at which the generator operates.
You can sequentially fill in mineral, semi-synthetic or synthetic, but do not mix them, but carry out a complete replacement to avoid mixing additives. The best choice is semi-synthetic oils; they have an affordable price and a sufficient set of performance characteristics. There is no point in filling in synthetics, since the generator operates at a constant speed of about 3000 per minute for gasoline and diesel engines less than 12 kW and 1500 rpm for large diesel engines, that is, it does not accelerate to 4-6 thousand revolutions, as in a car, so the properties Semi-synthetics are quite sufficient, and their price is lower.
Many major engine manufacturers recommend using their own oils for generators. Honda has these, but the manufacturer himself says that you can fill in any other oil that is suitable for the class. The manufacturer FUBAG also has its own oils; semi-synthetic EXTRA SAE 10W-30 and mineral PRACTICA SAE 30 are recommended for the generator. You can find them in the company store https://store.fubag.ru/catalog/motornoe-maslo/.
The manufacturer Huter does not require the use of special oil; it allows you to fill in any composition of suitable viscosity and follow the recommendations of the oil manufacturer. For two-stroke engines, use special oils designed for this purpose: Esso 2T Special, Mobil Super 2T and domestically produced ones - MGD-14M, M-12TP.
How often to change the oil
Changing the oil in the generator has a certain interval, depending on the type of engine; the manufacturer often indicates it in the instructions. If you don’t have a technical passport, you can use general recommendations:
- The first replacement during the running-in period should be carried out after 5 hours. New parts rub against each other, the oil absorbs all metallized parts and quickly becomes unusable, so it is important to change it earlier.
- The second replacement should be carried out on average after 20-25 hours, despite the load with which the generator was operating.
- Third change after 50 hours. Subsequent replacements can be carried out after 50 or 100 hours, depending on the type of motor installed.
Rating of the best oils for 4T generators
What oil to fill in a gasoline or diesel generator with a 4T engine, list of recommended brands:
- LUKOIL Lux 10 W-40. Semi-synthetic domestic oil with a wide range of applications, suitable for both automobile engines and generators with gasoline and diesel engines, API class SL/CF. Resistant to high temperatures, good cleaning properties.
- Ravenol TSi 10 W-40. Universal semi-synthetic with high fluidity. Diesel generator oil, API CF class. Motor vehicle oil, can be used in generators.
- Bizol Rasenmaherol S.G. SAE 30. Special oil for four-stroke engines of gasoline generators, lawn mowers, motor cultivators, power plants and other equipment. Can only be used in summer. Suitable for diesel and gasoline engines. Can be mixed with similar oils.
- JB GERMAN OILL Farmer Super SAE 30 . API SG/CF class. Specially designed for garden equipment and generators. Mineral oil can only be used in warm seasons.
- Mannol 4-Takt AGRO SAE 30. API SG class. Special oil for 4-stroke generator. Suitable for air and liquid cooled equipment. The manufacturer claims that it is compatible with any type of fuel, but the API class for diesel is not indicated, so I do not recommend using it. For summer use only.
- LIQUI MOLY Rasenmaher — Oil SAE 30. Special oil for gasoline engines of lawn mowers, generators and other air- and liquid-cooled equipment. Used only at positive temperatures. API class SJ, oil for gasoline generators. Can be mixed with other oils of similar viscosity.
- Castrol Magnatec 10 W -40 . Semi-synthetic automotive oil for a wide range of applications. API SL/CF class. Can be used in gasoline and diesel engines in summer and winter. Provides high protection of parts against wear.
- Forte SAE 10W-40 . API SM/CF class. Universal semi-synthetic oil for any season. Can be used in gasoline and diesel engines. This is the oil recommended for use by the Honda manufacturer.
- Werk SAE 10 W -40 . Semi-synthetic oil for gasoline generator engines. API class SG/SJ. It is of high quality, not used in cars. Suitable for any season.
- Mostela 10 W -40. Used for air and water cooled equipment. API SL/CF class. Designed for generators and other equipment, can be used in any season.
Rating of the best oils for 2T generators
What oil to pour into a generator with a 2T engine, list of popular lubricants:
- Ravenol Vollsynthetisches Zweitakoel VSZ . Fully synthetic oil based on esters and polyisobutane. Suitable for 2T engines with air and water cooling, mixed or separate lubrication system, air and water cooling. Class according to API TD, ISO L-EGD. Guarantees cleanliness of working parts and low emissions of gases into the atmosphere.
- LUKOIL MOTO 2T . Mineral motor oil, suitable for use in generators and other equipment. Complies with the requirements of API TS, JASO FB, ISO E-GB. Low ash, reduces the amount of soot on parts and smoke.
- ROLF Garden 2 T . Can be used in engines with separate and mixed lubrication systems, injection and carburetor engines, with an air or water cooling system. Complies with JASO FD/ISO-L-EGD, API TC. The oil is semi-synthetic and low-ash, environmentally friendly, can be used in difficult conditions.
- Esso 2 T Special . Oil for air-cooled engines, with and without separate lubrication. Class according to API TC, JACO FC. Provides good lubrication and cleanliness of internal parts.
- MGD-14M. Surprisingly good oil from a domestic manufacturer. Suitable for equipment with a working volume of up to 200 cm3. Shows low smoke, economy and good lubrication.
Motor oil is an important component of any engine. Regardless of its design, this product is simply vital because it performs two key functions, lubrication and cooling. It prevents excessive friction between metal parts and the formation of metal shavings. As a result, moving parts do not jam and work properly. The lubricant is also involved in cooling the pistons - with its help, the heat generated during their movement is removed. But not all of them are the same, each of them is suitable only for a specific task, more precisely the engine and operating conditions, so it matters what kind of oil should be poured in - it will behave differently in different conditions.
The issue of choosing oil is discussed in the video below, we recommend watching it
To know exactly which oil is best to use for a gasoline generator, you need to understand what it is. In its original form it is raw oil. She has good lubricating properties and is sufficiently viscous to adhere to lubricated parts. These properties were discovered at the end of the last century and patented in the USA. The world's first brand was called " Valvoline" But a product made from conventional oil, although it performs its function, is not clean enough for modern technology - sulfur and paraffin create pollution and fumes, which negatively affects engine performance. Therefore, an alternative has become synthetic oil suitable for gasoline generators, which is produced by distilling oil and parsing it down to the main components from which the base substance is made.
Various additives are added to it, thanks to which its performance characteristics increase.Another opinion on the topic of choosing oil
Classification of oils
In total, several classifications of motor oils have been created for. Each of them characterizes properties to one degree or another and distributes them into appropriate groups. Among them, there are two main groups of classifications: API, which indicates substances based on their total performance properties, and SAE, viscosity classification. Both of them characterize motor oil for a gasoline engine.
API system designed in such a way that with its help it is possible to select products that match the service life and type of a particular engine. For gasoline engine oil, the mark S is assigned, the second letter characterizes the quality level. So the lowest level is SG, which is suitable for older engines manufactured before 1993. SH is for engines manufactured in 1996, SJ is 2001, and SL is for more modern ones. In general, this classification presents substances with marks that begin with the first letter of the English alphabet. The further the classification letter is from the beginning, the higher the quality of the oil. At the moment, the highest quality product is marked with the SN mark.
The SKAT company, having its own service centers, knows about all the diseases of generators. The cause of most breakdowns is the wrong choice of engine oil.. Therefore, before using the equipment, let's figure out what kind of oil is needed for the normal operation of a gasoline generator.
Gasoline engines are divided into two-stroke and four-stroke
Two-stroke engines do not have a separate oil sump: An oil-gasoline mixture is poured into the carburetor. Therefore, special requirements are imposed on oil for two-stroke engines: in addition to lubricating properties, it must be dissolved in gasoline, and also burn as completely as possible.
There are no problems with choice here: p pay for special oil for two-stroke air-cooled engines - standard 2T. Do not confuse it with oil marked TC-W3 - it is for water-cooled engines (outboard motors, jet skis).
Let's move on to four-stroke engines. There is much more choice here.
Exist two main classifications of motor oils:
by viscosity (SAE)
based on a set of performance properties (API).
SAE informs about the ambient temperature in which the oil will work best, lubricating all components. This standard divides motor oils into six winter types (OW, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, and 25W) and five summer types (20, 30, 40 and 50). A double number means all-season oil (5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-50, etc.).
The most universal oil according to SAE for the warm season is 10W30. Therefore, when you see SL 10W30 on the label, you can take it. When operating a generator in the cold season, pay attention to the SJ or SL markings - these are the most modern and high-quality oils for gasoline engines.
Based on the totality of performance properties (API), we again focus on the SJ or SL marks.
What else you need to know about oil in gasoline generators
Fully change the oil after the first 20 hours of operation(“break-in”) of the new generator. Then do this according to the manufacturer's recommendations, usually every 50 (if the oil is mineral) or 100 (if the oil is synthetic) hours of operation. It is better to change the oil when the engine is warm.
Check the oil level before every start, if necessary, top up to the mark on the dipstick.
After starting the engine, allow it to warm up and disperse the oil through the system for 3-5 minutes at idle.
Check the oil level every 5-6 hours (or daily).
Fully change oil once a season, even if the generator is rarely used.
So, Don't neglect choosing the right engine oil for your generator. Insufficient lubrication causes the generator to break down. Choose oil according to the season and constantly monitor its level. These simple rules will extend the life of the generator.
There are a huge number of manufacturers of lubricants of various types on the market, and the question arises of what oil to pour into the gas generator. It depends largely on the environment in which the unit operates and what budget you are counting on.
Synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral
We will not go into the process of making oils, I just want to say one thing: synthetic quality is the best among all oils in terms of stability and its properties, semi-synthetic oil is a little worse and mineral oils are in the very niche. In principle, you can fill the engine of a gasoline generator with any of them, it all depends on the amount you are willing to spend. Synthetic oils are the most expensive, semi-synthetics will be a little cheaper and the most budget-friendly is mineral water.
How to choose oil viscosity
The viscosity of oils for gas generators depends on the temperature at which you will use the generator. If this is a street and it’s summer or a warm room, then it will be enough 5W40 or 10W40- it's thicker. If the gas generator will be used in an unheated room or outdoors at temperatures below 5 degrees, fill 5W30 or 10W30 it's thinner.
Advertising, marketing ploy
Sales people have long come up with many stories about how special oil is needed for gas generators. I’ve heard stories more than once that a machine engine won’t work; it’s water-cooled, while gasoline generators are air-cooled, etc. This is all nonsense, the boiling point of oils starts at 300 degrees and not a single generator operates at such temperatures. You can safely pour good automobile oils.
