Emergency Power/Storms/Prepping etc

[mattp]

Generator is direct from WEN, no shipping and no tax!

WEN GN400iM RV-Ready 4000-Watt Open Frame Inverter Generator

Generates clean power to safely operate sensitive electronics such as phones, tablets, TVs, and computers Parallel-ready panel allows you to connect any 2 WEN® inverter generators for increased wattage output 212cc 4-stroke engine produces 4,000 surge watts and 3,500 rated watts Lightweight body...

wenproducts.com

For oil, it wants 30W oil. Once break-in is finished I'm going to fill it with 15W-40

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Quit fooling around...Put some 80W-90 gear oil in that bad boy!...May be even better to put some blackstrap molasses in there, instead...Right, beer guy!...

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

Best I can do is bar and chain oil

 

[biggen]

Just add a Tri-Fuel kit. I added one to my cheap Champion generator and it was super easy

What does that do for the power output of the portable with a NG conversion kit? Reduce it by ~20%?

 

[biggen]

Best I can do is bar and chain oil

I want to see that bad boy running on maple syrup!

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

What does that do for the power output of the portable with a NG conversion kit? Reduce it by ~20%?

That's a good question honestly, I suppose so, but I've never tested it. Maybe I need to pull out my 8750w portable and see what kind of load I can get out of it on NG

I can tell you that it runs fantastic on NG, much better than on gasoline

 

[mattp]

That's a good question honestly, I suppose so, but I've never tested it. Maybe I need to pull out my 8750w portable and see what kind of load I can get out of it on NG

I can tell you that it runs fantastic on NG, much better than on gasoline

You absolutely take a performance hit with propane or natural gas.
I think 20% is a good rule of thumb.
If you look at any dual fuel generator, they'll have two sets of numbers. I bought a little larger unit with that in mind because my plan was to run it on propane.

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

The engine is able to make 20% less, but I do wonder what happens when the engine is already oversized for the generator head

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

Alright maybe I just like tinkering with stuff

Tee'd the fuel line and added a shutoff with some spare line, so I can easily drain the line





Magnetic dipstick



Installing a switch to go from floating to bonded







And added an hour meter

 

[looney2ns]

What does the hour meter connect to?

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

What does the hour meter connect to?

It has a sense wire that wraps around the spark plug lead, and it senses the electrical pulse

 

[mattp]

Alright maybe I just like tinkering with stuff

Tee'd the fuel line and added a shutoff with some spare line, so I can easily drain the line

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Magnetic dipstick

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Installing a switch to go from floating to bonded

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And added an hour meter

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I won't be impressed until I see some led undercarriage lighting...

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

The rear wing is next

 

[mattp]

Don't forget the stripes and sticker:

 

[Teken]

Don't forget the stripes and sticker:
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OMFG - Haven’t seen that in years!

 

[mattp]

The engine is able to make 20% less, but I do wonder what happens when the engine is already oversized for the generator head

I don't know if you are thinking about it right. They make natural gas only generators, and they are 20% larger.
By using a dual fuel (or tri-fuel) generator using natural gas, I'd imagine it runs cooler under a similar load, you just can't that extra 20% out of it. That's just a wild guess though based on intuition. If someone knows more about this I'd be interested to learn.
But, if you are worried about it, by using molasses in your generator, you can get some of that 20% back...

OMFG - Haven’t seen that in years!

It was popular a while back:

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

Video of the WEN's first run if anyone is interested

 

[mattp]

Video of the WEN's first run if anyone is interested

Doesn't sound that loud for a $300 generator, but it's hard to tell exactly how loud it is over the internet.
How many amps does that ecoflow draw?

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

The largest one I have draws 1.2kw, so 10a at 120v

Its of course louder than a $1000 generator that is surrounded by sound insulation and plastic covers, but its really not bad at all.

It picks up a 1200w load very well, video is in Eco and then not in Eco with a space heater. Voltage reading is at the end of a 25ft 14awg cord

 

[IReallyLikePizza2]

Some thermal shots. I was worried the fuel line would get too hot next to the muffler, no concern

Probably the last from this WEN. I filled with new 15W-40, topped off the gas tank and added Sta-Bil and drained the carb for storage









And the 5 hour oil change money shot

 

[JNDATHP]

While I don’t have the fancy stats you all have (yet), I’ve got my own meters and use them to turn off automation when the generator fires up.