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| Member |
We have a number of smaller generators that use gas. Each will run a refrigerator and also a small room A/C, both of which we used after Helene. I can store about 15 gallons of non-ethanol gas in different cans but we always bring the boat home during named storms. It has 66 gallons of usable gas in it. Everything we own that burns gas that doesn’t roll on tires gets non-ethanol gas with Sta-Bil in it. That combination has never let us down. Never had an issue with any of the generators or chainsaws or lawn mowers cranking or running. | ||
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| No More Mr. Nice Guy |
What do you do in terms of rotating the stored supply? Do you use it in your vehicles (or boat) periodically and refresh the storage? Also, is the octane common across your usages? | |||
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| Member |
I keep 20-25 gallons of 87 regular on hand. Treat it and label each container. Rotate into our vehicles at the 12-month mark and replenish. Keep 3-4 gallons in the generator at all times and run/load it every 3 months. (I replace this fuel annually as well if not used) Like p113565, I have had good luck with Sta-Bil as a treatment solution. | |||
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| Member |
If I can, I get 89 octane, it is readily available. I use enough monthly in the boat and lawn mower/weed whacker/blower to keep it fresh. I run the gen sets with loads monthly and top off w fresh stabilized gas.This message has been edited. Last edited by: p113565, | |||
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| No More Mr. Nice Guy |
Both of the cars require 91 octane, the motorcycle requires mid-grade. Gens all seem to be low octane. So I'm still mulling over how much gas to store and what octane to get. I presume that a gen would run ok on premium if not quite as fuel efficient. Perhaps that is the experiment to run? We've never had power out here for more than a couple of hours, and that was due to replacing major lines. Other than that, only once or twice each year the power goes down for a minute or two. Thus I don't expect to need a generator unless an exceptional event happens. Thus any gas I store will be burned in one of the vehicles periodically. | |||
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| Savor the limelight |
The delta between 87 and 93 at my local Sam’s Club and BJs is $.60 per gallon. Our supercharged PWCs require 91, while the chainsaws and other two-stroke equipment requires 89. Other than my wallet, there’s no issue running premium these. What we don’t use during hurricane season gets used fairly quickly in whatever vehicle that needs gas. I don’t bother with stabilizer in the generators and other small engine equipment. Drain the tanks and run the carbs dry. Works every time including one generator that hadn’t been run in 18 years. | |||
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Member |
I store up to 30 gallons of 90 octane ethanol free rec fuel. I also add Sta-bil to mine as well and have never had a problem. I use it in every engine I own minus the SUV, truck, and motorcycle. I refuse to put ethanol fuel in anything with a small engine. Between the boat and the tractor I go through a lot....mostly the boat. We put 90 hours on our pontoon last summer. I always try to keep a decent amount on hand at all times for the generator. It seems like the last 3-4 years have brought a noticeable uptick in the frequency and strength of high winds and destructive storms.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Browndrake, Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 | |||
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| If you see me running try to keep up  |
I believe Pri-G did better for long term fuel storage: https://priproducts.com/wp-con...2015-PRI-G-Flyer.pdf | |||
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| Saluki |
Somewhere I was convinced to store 100LL Avgas. Does it truly have excellent storage properties? I’ve used it in my classic car before storage and keep it on hand for generators and snow blower. ----------The weather is here I wish you were beautiful---------- | |||
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A Grateful American |
My autistic and lifelong involvement of Planes, Trains, Automobiles (including all manner of drag racing and murdercycles...) Non-ethanol. Period, mic drop, full stop. In anything that was not specifically designed or retro-fitted to run on corn squeezins. And second, is the weasel piss that is called "gasoline" (non-ethanol) being nothing like what we swallered when siphoning out of anyone else what bought that we "borrowed" from their v-hickle to ourn's. The fuel of yesterday compared to today is nothing similar. So, tuck that in the back fore reference and comparison of all things in todays experience. And, finally, "octane". Understand that the higher the octane, the lower the energy (btu) for the same amount, in any engine. Octane "slows" the combustion, and less energy produced by that combustion, but if that octane prevents detonation, then the realized energy might provide more "useful energy" and power put to the pavement. Contrasted to lost energy to the pavement due to detonation when using a lower octane fuel. While the "loss" from using higher octane is only a percent or three, the cost ads up for no real benefit. The only time it might be prudent, is in an engine that could suffer from detonation and having added insurance (at a lower, spread-out cost) vs repairs should you experience damaging detonation. If you do not have any risk of detonation, you are gaining nothing, and paying for the lack of any benefit. Too many people think higher octane means a whole lotta power. If you want 75 to 500 HP increase. Flip that air cleaner lid over. That's "documented"... Keep fuel fresh, stale and long term left alone fuel becomes toxic to the fuel system. "Varnished" gas will often cause valves (stems/guides) to stick, and in an interference fit engine, your gonna bend and break things. It also will ruin carbs, pump diaphragms and clog passages, making the cleaning and usefulness of components unlikely. Corn Fuel, (engine whiskey), will destroy the same things in an engine as in a humming bean. You liver, the engine's filter, your stomach and guts, the engines tank and hoses, your heart and lungs, the engines carb and passages. Alcohol will absorb moisture. (an odd fact, some people poor water in ethanol fuel to bond to and separate the alcohol from the fuel, then decant the water/alcohol and leave the fuel ethanol free). If you store equipment with ethanol fuel in humid enviornment, the fuel will degrade and the effects are very real and detrimental to that equipment, and can destroy it within one season of setting dormant. Factor the cost and benefit of using the best and correct fuel, and proper storage of equipment and the best "pre-flight" of equipment each season, over trying to buy cheaper fuel, or cut corners to same a dime or an hour. Know your equipment, and your capability. Treat your stuff right and it will work for you. Just like yer dog. "the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד | |||
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| If you see me running try to keep up |
Ahh, the old flip the air lid over for 500hp trick. Now I am convinced you know what you are talking about. It may not have given much of a HP increase, but on my 74 Buick Apollo with the 350 it sure sounded better and made me feel better… | |||
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Member |
Run your generator on non-ethanol gas. See monkey's post above. _________________________________________________________________________ “A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.” -- Mark Twain, 1902 | |||
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Shall Not Be Infringed |
Literally THE first 'NHRacecraft Performance' mod ever, performed on my '70 Bonneville. That mod transformed that car into a beast...Damn that Q-jet equipped 455 could scream! 'Sha-Woop'!  ____________________________________________________________ If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !! Trump 47....Making America Great Again! "May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20 Live Free or Die! | |||
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goodheart |
I have four Latvian NATO jerry cans, from Atlantic (IIRC). And a nozzle. They are virgin. Should I spray them all red? Two and two, keep greens for water? _________________________ “Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. –Daniel Webster (1782-1852)" | |||
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| Member |
Keep all 4 for fuel. Plenty of other types of containers to store water. If anything, by a second nozzle and back-up ring kit.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Graniteguy, | |||
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Member |
Try a propane conversion kit . Propane never goes bad and runs longer. Mine will run for 23 hours on a 20 lb tank. https://motorsnorkel.com/ _______________ NRA Life Member | |||
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