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Whatever you get, I'd recommend installing a dirt bike hour meter on it (they're about $20). That'll give you a good idea of runtime, and you can plan oil changes/service better.
>pic related
Keep up on oil changes. Generac recommends 100 hours, I do them 50-60ish. If you don't put 50-60 hours on it in a year, change it yearly (Old oil turns acidic and can damage seals).
Clean the air filter regularly.
Change spark plug yearly.
If you can get 91E0, I'd use that. Small engines don't like E10 ethanol fuels.
If you're up at elevation (10k+ ft), I've had better luck running lower octane fuel. Usually take a jerry can of 85E10 just for the generator.
Let the gen warm up for a few minutes before you plug anything into it, and don't plug in all your loads at once.
When you're shutting it down, same thing, unplug/power down all your loads, unplug everything from the generator, and let it idle unloaded for a few minutes before shutting it off.
It's 120 volts like utility power, but it's not utility power. Do have to do some things differently because of that.
I rarely use mine in the summer, but still fire it up every 6-8 weeks just to keep everything lubed. Let it warm up, plug a 600W light into it, let it run for 5mins or so, unplug it and let it cool down, then shut it off.
