alt.energy.homepower

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'm back on the air.

Since we're expecting a foot of white stuff tonight I decided, that cold
as it is, finding the problem was indicated. The gremlin was the oil
pressure switch which had failed shorted. Fortunately I had a spare
(when I bought the generator about 15 years ago I went through the parts
book and ordered all the parts that I thought might go belly up.)

As an aside, I've been having trouble for several years getting this
generator going in cold weather (0 to -20F) so I was planning this
summer to convert it from gasoline to propane. I have even bought the
kit to do the conversion. However, in late fall I came across a a place
on the internet in Canada that makes flexible heaters. I ordered a
small, 50 or 60 watt heater (about x 3 in) and glued it to the
engine as close to the sump as possible. Every time I've tried to start
the engine this winter it has spun up on the first or second pull. This
morning, at -5F it started with the first pull too, only to stop 15 sec
later...not the fault of the heater though. With a new oil pressure
switch in if I need it tomorrow I'll be a happy camper.

Boden


Boden wrote:
> My Generac 4000XL (Model 190 gasoline engine) started this morning on
> the second pull. It then ran under about 50% load for at least 30
> minutes but shut down spontaneously.
>
> I've restarted it about six times and on each cycle it started on the
> first pull, runs smoothly for 1/2 to one minute and then stops.
>
> Fuel tank is full, oil level is correct, low oil pressure light doesn't
> come on, ambient temperature is 31 F, total time on the 4000XL is 262
> hours.
>
> The last time it ran, about a month ago, the generator ran for 6 to 8
> hours under load without event.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> Boden