Gasoline power plants, depending on the type of engine installed, require oil with certain properties and characteristics to operate. When choosing fuel and lubricants, first of all, pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations. The technical documentation for each model says which oil needs to be filled in to ensure optimal conditions for engine operation. The instructions also indicate how many fuels and lubricants of each type and how often it needs to be changed. For station owners who, for some reason, are forced to choose lubricants themselves, the general recommendations presented below will be useful.
Type of oil depending on the type of engine
Gasoline power plants can be equipped with two-stroke or four-stroke engines. feature two-stroke motor is that its design does not provide for a separate crankcase into which oil must be poured. This type of engine consumes a mixture of gasoline and oil previously prepared in certain proportions. This type of generator requires oil that will quickly and completely dissolve in gasoline. It should also burn out completely, leaving no marks on the motor valves. Specially for two-stroke engines a series of oils of the T2 standard is produced.
But in this case, you need to be careful. This series of oils for two-stroke engines also includes the TC-W3 fuel and lubricant type. But they cannot be used in generator motors. This is a series of oils for engines of motor boats and jet skis in constant contact with water.
Gasoline power plants equipped with four-stroke engines have a wide range of engine oils. This somewhat complicates the choice of fuel and lubricants, if lost technical documentation to the generator. Oil for four-stroke engines is evaluated according to two main criteria:
- Viscosity (SAE);
- Performance properties (API).
Viscosity indicates to us the air temperature at which the use of oil of this variety will be most effective and beneficial to the engine. There are lubricants for winter and summer periods of operation. By choosing the appropriate type of oil, you ensure the best lubrication of every part of the engine, which means you prolong its life. Depending on the outside air temperature, you need to use oil of the following viscosity grades:
- At +4 °C and above: 10W30, 10W40, 15W30, 15W40, 20W30, 20W40, SAE 30.
- At temperatures from -20 °C to +4 °C: 0W40, 0W50, 5W30, 5W40, 5W50, 10W30, 10W40.
Summer the best choice 10W30 oil may become, in the off-season it is better to give preference to 0W40, 0W50 samples (but preferably those that are labeled according to API SJ or SL). This marking indicates that these fuels and lubricants belong to the category of high-tech, in terms of their properties and characteristics, they perfectly meet the requirements of four-stroke gasoline engines.
The generator will work for a long time and flawlessly if you adhere to the following simple rules during its operation:
- Maintain the "break-in" mode of the new motor. Usually this is the first 20 hours of operation. After that, it is advisable to change the oil.
- Follow the service intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Change after 50-100 hours of operation, depending on the type of oil used (mineral or synthetic).
- Before draining the old oil and filling in new oil, it is advisable to warm up the generator motor and carry out this procedure at its operating temperature.
- Before each start of the engine, check the oil level using a special dipstick. If necessary, add to the minimum value.
- Immediately after starting the generator, let it run for a couple of minutes on Idling, and only after warming up the motor, connect the load.
- If the unit is to be operated continuously for several hours, periodically check the oil level.
- Regardless of whether you start the station or not, the oil must be changed in autumn and spring (according to the season of operation).
- Remember that the gasoline generator cannot run continuously, it needs to be turned off periodically to cool the engine.
And most importantly - do not save on the quality of fuel and lubricants and the frequency of oil changes. Depending on what kind of oil you pour into the crankcase, the generator will work reliably and for a long time, or it may constantly break down and “act up”. It is important not only to change the oil on time, but also to fill it in accordance with the operating season. One of the most common reasons why a generator can fail is a lack of lubrication in its crankcase.
To do right choice and for sure to decide which oil is best for the engine of your generator, contact our consultants for help. Using a Form feedback ask your question, and in the very near future you will be provided with a qualified recommendation.
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 normal operation gasoline generator.
Gasoline engines are divided into two-stroke and four-stroke
In two-stroke there is no separate crankcase for oil: pour the oil-gasoline mixture into the carburetor. Therefore, special requirements are imposed on the oil for two-stroke engines: in addition to lubricating properties, it must dissolve in gasoline, and also burn out as completely as possible.
There are no problems with the choice here: p pay back with a special oil for two-stroke air-cooled engines - standard 2T. Do not confuse with oil marked TC-W3 - it is for water-cooled engines (outboard boat 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)
by the totality of operational properties (API).
SAE informs about the ambient temperature in which the oil will work best, lubricating all components. This standard divides engine oils into six winter grades (OW, 5W, 10W, 15W, 20W, and 25W) and five summer grades (20, 30, 40, and 50). The double number means all-weather oil (5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-50, etc.).
The most versatile SAE for the warm season will be 10W30 oil. Therefore, when you see SL 10W30 on the label, you can take it. When operating the generator in the cold season, pay attention to the marking SJ or SL, these are the most modern and quality oils for gasoline engines.
In terms of the combination of operational properties (API), we again focus on the SJ or SL marks.
What else you need to know about the 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, typically every 50 (if mineral oil) or 100 (if synthetic oil) hours of operation. It is better to change the oil on a warm engine.
Check oil level before every start, if necessary top up to the mark on the dipstick.
After starting the engine, let it 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, do not neglect the choice of the right engine oil for the generator. Insufficient lubrication causes the generator to break down. Choose the oil according to the season and constantly monitor its level. These simple rules extend the life of the generator.
Engine oil is an important part of any engine. Regardless of its design, this product is simply vital in it, since it performs two key functions, lubrication and cooling. It prevents the occurrence of excessive friction between metal parts, the formation of metal chips. As a result, moving parts do not jam and work properly. Also, the lubricant is involved in the cooling of the pistons - with its help, the heat generated during their movement is removed. But not all of them are uniform, each of them is suitable only for a specific task, more precisely the engine and operating conditions, therefore it matters which oil should be poured into - it will behave differently in different conditions.
The issue of choosing oil is revealed in the video below, we recommend viewing
To know exactly which oil is best used for a gasoline generator, you need to understand what it is. In its original form, it raw oil. She is has good lubricating properties and enough viscous to hold onto lubricated parts. These properties of it were discovered at the end of the century before last and patented in the United States. The world's first brand was called " Valvoline". But the product from ordinary 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, the alternative was synthetic oil applicable to a gas generator, which is produced by distilling oil and parsing it to the main components from which the base substance is made.
Various additives are added to it, thanks to which raise it performance characteristics .Another opinion on the choice of oil
Oil classification
In total, several classifications of motor oils have been created for. Each of them in one way or another characterizes the properties and distributes them into the appropriate groups. Among them, there are two main groups of classifications, this is API - in which substances are indicated by the combination of operational properties and SAE - viscosity classification. Both of them characterize engine oil to a gasoline engine.
API System designed so that it can be used to select products that match the service life and type of a particular engine. For oil on a gasoline engine, the mark S is assigned, the second letter characterizes the quality level. Thus, the lowest level is SG, which is suitable for older engines made before 1993. SH is for engines manufactured in 1996, SJ is for 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 farther such a letter of classification from the beginning, the higher the quality of the oil. At the moment, the highest quality product is indicated by the SN marking.
Petrol generator - perfect solution for use as a backup or emergency source of electricity, as well as for the possibility of carrying out repair work or power supply of devices at remote from the centralized power supply facilities. It uses an engine internal combustion(carburetor) with spark ignition and external mixing. Part of the energy released during the combustion of fuel is converted into heat, and the other part goes to generate electricity by the generator.
Generator fuel selection
The fuel for a gasoline generator, which is clear from its name, is gasoline, and only high-octane grades. Its specific composition and the possibility of using various additives or mixtures is 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, clean 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 (type OHV), 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
For the maintenance of gasoline generators, only high-quality oils that meet the requirements of manufacturers should be used. They must be at least SG class, great option is the use of oils that comply with the classification API class SL. As a multi-purpose oil that can be used under any temperature conditions, a product with the SAE 10W30 marking 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 selecting an oil with appropriate viscosity characteristics is the ambient temperature during generator operation. Please note that for normal operation power unit, it is necessary to maintain the oil level not below the appropriate mark and top it up regularly. In addition, it is necessary, in accordance with the regulations Maintenance change both the oil and the oil filter.
Remember that the service life of a gasoline generator directly depends on the quality of the fuel and oil used!
A gasoline generator is a necessary thing not only in production, but also household. They come in different capacities and can provide energy to an entire workshop.
You can buy gasoline generators for your home in specialized stores, where consultants will help you choose the device of the required power. The operation of such mechanisms largely depends on the quality of the oil, so it should also be chosen very carefully.
Features of the choice of oil
Only two types of oils are used in gasoline generators. One of them is intended for rotating and rubbing mechanisms, while the other lubricates the bearings that are present in such a device.
From quality lubricants depends on the service life of the unit and its functionality. When choosing an oil, several criteria should be considered:
- Use only well-established brands of products. Do not take cheap option, because in most cases it is a common fake. Also, buy such a product in trusted stores.
- Choose the right oil label. To do this, you should take into account the operating conditions and temperature conditions.
- The best option is semi-synthetic oils that have the characteristics of synthetic and mineral oils.
- When choosing an oil, the frequency of changing such fluids should also be considered. Accordingly, select the brand of the product.
Such oils are classified according to many criteria, but experts distinguish two main categories of separation:
- API - separates the oil according to their performance properties. According to this classification for gasoline generators with carbureted engine oils marked at least SL are suitable, unless of course the manufacturer recommended a certain type of lubricant.
- SAE-characterizes the degree of viscosity. When selecting oil according to these recommendations, attention should be paid to the seasonality of the oil, since it can be designed to work both in summer and in winter. For gasoline generators, it is recommended to take all-weather lubrication options, such as SAE 10W30.
When using improperly selected lubricants, the development of all parts of the mechanism is accelerated, which can lead to breakage.
To find best option, you should pay attention to the recommendations of the manufacturer. If there are none, then you need to consult with specialists who will help you solve this problem.
What oil should be poured into a gasoline generator: