Winterize Your Gas Engine Welder Generator
If you live in a northern state, you've probably already begun some of your annual winter preparation rituals - installing plastic sheeting on windows to reduce drafts and save on energy bills, purchasing new furnace filters, draining your garden hose...the list goes on.
If you own a gas engine welder generator, getting it ready for the winter months also requires some attention and routine maintenance. The way you plan to use it over the winter will dictate the maintenance and preparations you'll need to undertake.
When not used for an extended period of time, gasoline engines may experience a number of problems, so consider yourself lucky if you plan on using your welder/generator on a weekly basis. For the most part, you only need to keep up with the standard routine maintenance that you should also perform in warmer weather - refer to your owner's manual for the maintenance schedules for your specific welder generator. If you expect to use your welder generator in temperatures below 0-degrees F, change to a lighter weight oil - 5W-30 is typically recommended to provide better viscosity and circulation throughout the engine.
But what if you don't plan on using your engine drive welder generator much, or at all, but still want it ready at a moment's notice for back-up power and welding capability in the event of a storm or other unforeseen event? If you fall into this camp, there are several things you should be aware of before packing your engine drive away.
One of the most important factors to consider when winterizing your welder generator is the use of ethanol in your gasoline. Most states mandate a 10 percent ethanol/90 percent gas blend. Although cars and other large engines can handle the ethanol with relatively few problems, smaller engines, like those found in welder generators, are susceptible to a number of problems peculiar to ethanol-blended gas. Fortunately, you can prevent these pitfalls by following a few proper care procedures.
Phase separation is one of the most common problems that results from ethanol-blended gas. This occurs when the fuel absorbs moisture from the air in the tank, which in turn bonds with the ethanol, separates from the gasoline and sinks to the bottom of the tank. This ethanol/water mix can cause the engine to seize, potentially creating severe damage.
Several fuel additives are available to prevent phase separation from occurring, but these products will not alleviate the problem once it occurs. Avoid phase separation by using these additives and by keeping the fuel tank as full as possible at all times to reduce the amount of air, and thus moisture, in the tank.
Ethanol acts as a cleaning agent in your fuel system, dislodging debris that finds its way to the nooks and crannies of a dirty fuel system. As this debris is dislodged, however, it can clog the fuel filter, leading to sub-optimal power delivery.
Finally, ethanol has a shorter shelf life than pure gasoline, which means that it will turn to varnish and gum up your carburetors and fuel lines in as few as 30 days (pure gasoline typically stays fresh for 90 days). Fuel stabilizers and additives are commonly available to prevent this from occurring, however, they won't renew stale gas to freshness. A full tank of treated gas will remain useable all winter with the use of these additives. However, to be on the safe side, it's a good idea to drain the carburetors of fuel if you expect the engine to sit unused for an extended period of time.
Carburetor icing is another potential problem to be aware of as you prepare your equipment for the cold months ahead. This usually occurs on high humidity days when the temperature is 30 - 38 degrees F. Some engine manufacturers offer anti-icing kits, which can be installed by an authorized service center - or you can do it yourself. The best ways to prevent carburetor icing are to add isopropyl alcohol to your fuel supply and to avoid extended periods of no-load idling.
Finally, your battery is also subject to deterioration and failure from exposure to cold weather. If your welder generator is likely to sit unused for more than a couple weeks in the cold, either bring the battery inside where it's warmer or use a battery heater to keep it from freezing,. If you need to replace your battery, Miller engine drives use a 435 CCA battery.
Winter is one of the most important times to have a welder generator available. Be sure that it's ready when you need it by following these simple maintenance and winterization tips.
