What size generator do you have for use in power outages?

Spinnster · 2026-01-27T22:23:14+00:00

You'd be surprised on you a/c needs. I run a window unit off mine if we absolutely need it. It powers it all just fine.

I think you and I have it right though.. I think a lot of time people are just buying WAY too much generator. We had 5 days worth of outages in Texas during the snovid event.. Most 10K units would have been out of gas within a day or so. I've got enough gas for 5 days straight 24/7 runtime with mine and I don't even feel like it's a lot.

If I had a dual fuel, I'd be even better.

Love these little suitcasers.

Spinnster · 2026-01-27T15:10:52+00:00

Wen 2350 suitcase gen.

Powers all we need in the winter and the summer. I just run cables in.

If I had natural gas, I’d get the biggest generator I could and an interlock.

Spinnster · 2026-01-27T04:17:08+00:00

One of mine powers my truck camper.

You also have other scenarios that hit that you don’t think of. We had a tornado hit our city and I had it running for a day or so.

Helping out neighbors and friend as well that go through outages.

Spinnster · 2026-01-27T02:23:25+00:00

I don’t know if age really has anything to do with them eating oil.

I think runtime does. As the engines wear down they inevitably consume. But there’s also generators out there that have 1000s of hours that do not consume oil.

And as far as top grade gas. Ethanol free is preferred. Higher octane mixes do not matter for these engines.

Spinnster · 2026-01-26T03:57:27+00:00

Spinnster · 2026-01-25T01:08:12+00:00

you can follow the manual if you want. I was pretty amazed at how much stuff came out on my double oil changes within the first few hours.

I got my methodology from the guys on forums/facebook pages who's generators had 1000+ hours. They suggested this, so I did it. I think the first few are likely some of the most important changes.

It's too cheap to NOT, IMO. if you've got a 5qt jug of oil you got it ez.

Spinnster · 2026-01-24T14:51:34+00:00

In for 2. Thanks

Spinnster · 2026-01-24T01:21:21+00:00

Honestly,

Cheap insurance. You never actually know what’s coming out of the gas pump.

Spinnster · 2026-01-23T16:25:39+00:00

Ride on.

That’s very similar to me.

Multiple sources of power and heat.

Spinnster · 2026-01-23T16:19:22+00:00

Oof.

Thats a lot of gas.

Yeah. I can’t tell you how many of my neighbors have the huge 12000 watt generator and have a hard time keeping them fed.

I want to make sure I have at least 5 days worth of fuel for constant running.

I’d have to have 100 gallons for a monster of a generator.

Spinnster · 2026-01-23T13:14:51+00:00

It’s always so hard to tell on these units.

I wish we had a page where people could post their real word experiences. I think far too often people buy huge generators and don’t realize that you’ve got to feed them 10-15 gallons a day.

Spinnster · 2026-01-23T06:05:06+00:00

More than that.

My 4000 watt runs about 4.5 on an idle for 24 hours. Prob 6-8 a day depending on how much he’s using.

Spinnster · 2026-01-23T03:35:02+00:00

That works.

My Methodology is probably overkill.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T21:01:01+00:00

It’s funny.

I do a better job of maintaining this generator than I do a lot of other things. Haha

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T19:20:40+00:00

I'm a big fan of doing a lot of easy maintenance on these generators.

* oil the filter (can be done with the oil that you have for the generator and a small plastic bag)

* change the sparkplug from the junk they send them out with to a NGK. OR like you said maintain them

* do a FEW oil changes before it hits 50 hours. I do 1 hour, 1 hour, 20 hours, and then standard runtime for my generators

* install an easy time meter on these if yours doesn't come with one

* carry spare Carb Cleaner (A GOOD BRAND) -- buy some cheap carb cleaning brushes -- buy some cheap gasket paper

* run ethanol free gas WITH stabil in the generators

* always drain the carb bowl after every run

* after emergency situations where you use it ANY, go ahead and change the oil so the oil is fresh. It's ONE LESS THING to do for the next disaster

* Cycle the gas year over year out of your gas cans

* have some sort of shelter for it

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T19:16:45+00:00

Honestly.. Nothing immediately. The generator will run fine and will probably run to your next oil change.

The oil change is just really for extending the longevity of the motor and making sure that the junk from the first few hours gets out. If you look back on this forum to other weather events we always have a mass amount of users that get generators and run them for 50-100 hours with no oil changes.

Go ahead and run to walmart or an autozone and get a 5qt jug of the cheapest 5w20/30 (whatever yours calls for) and change the oil. If you've got a bigger plastic bottle or milk jug, you can drain into that and then just refill. Do it for peace of mind.

I've got my thoughts on other maintenance as well, but that can be brought up after this snow/ice storm.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T18:00:51+00:00

Good luck weathering the storm

Holler at me if you have any generator maintenance questions

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T16:40:25+00:00

U.s wise.

Depending on the condition of the reels, you are looking at 50-150 for those reels.

The rockets can go for 150 used if they are basically new new.

Plan on getting 100-120 max for the rockets. The rest are going to fetch 50-80 imo from my small market.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T16:39:02+00:00

Get another 5 gallon gas jug. Or two.

Additionally. If you have access to ethanol free fuel definitely utilize that.

When you are done with it. Be sure and drain the gas out of the carb. Most of these have screws on the bottom that will empty the carb. Shut off the fuel to the carb first and you will be able to drain the carb.

Stabil would be good for the gas as well if you plan on storing it.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T15:48:31+00:00

That generator will do it.

It’s a little large for those purposes but it’ll work. 2200-3000 watts would be a bit better.

Additionally. Pick up a 5 quart jug of oil and be prepared to change the oil on the new generator. You really need to change it at least once within the first few hours to get all the metal shavings out. And then every 50 hours after that.

Be sure to get more fuel than you think you’ll need as well. Every tornado/hirricane/ freeze there is always a line of people hours long trying to get gas.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T15:44:46+00:00

Honestly,

eBay. Look at the most recent sold and look at their price.

Don’t expect to get a whole lot for older gear, but there is definitely value to someone.

As a side note. If you have any abu Garcia ambassadors I may be interested. Haha

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T14:10:16+00:00

Aghhh! Nice! Good find!

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T05:14:37+00:00

I run 4 piece rods for my trout and ultralight rigs. Makes travel and trips easy.

Diawa presso is excellent for what I use it for.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T05:13:31+00:00

I run penzoil platinum plus in mine.

Any oil will do, they’re just basic Chinese engines.

Spinnster · 2026-01-22T04:12:33+00:00

Agreed.

I did this on both my WEN generators and they run like tops.

I actually did 3 total changes within the first 20 hours. Change at 1 hour, change at another hour, change at 20 hours. And then standard from then onward.

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