Generator Battery Charging

[Biker1mike]

Westinghouse 9.5 k generator came with a small battery charger. I had this plugged in the generator to charge battery during monthly maint. run.
This month I found that I left the fuel open and flooded the carb. Add to that the battery was dead, I assume from sitting in the cold.
So, I ask for opinion. Battery charger is now plugged into an outside house outlet. Should I leave it on this charger plugged in all the time.
Second question. Would a name brand battery tender be a better option.
Thanks.

BTW: Both shoulders cramped up trying start the generator with the pull cord. Charged battery turned it over after 10 -12 tries. Blue smoke like an old Saab 2 stroke 3 cylinder.

 

[Magicman]

Apparently your float needle is not seating correctly for the carb to flood.

I would run an extension cord and leave the charger connect at least for a couple of day. Something is wrong for the battery to discharge in a month unless it was really discharged from the beginning.

The battery should read 12.7 volts with a digital voltmeter.

I would be contacting Westinghouse for some answers to some questions regarding the carb and battery.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If it's an old unit a newer maintainer would probably be better, and an electric fuel shut off solenoid to keep it from flooding.
I have see them setup where they run until all the fuel is out of the system and then it completely shuts down.

 

[Magicman]

Maybe I should have asked, but I assumed that it was new.

I know, ass-u-&-me.

I shut my fuel off, run it dry, and then open the little screw on the bottom of the carb to empty any possible remaining fuel.

 

[dlsmith]

I used a programmable timer to turn the charger on for a couple of hours every day to keep the battery topped off in my plane. Worked great.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

1st check oil level...if overfull ,thin or smells 'gassy', drain and replace ASAP ! It's very common for gravity fed gas engines to drain gas..through carb ,into intake, then pass rings into the oil sump. A 'light' case...you burn a lot of oil...'bad' ,you get hydraulic lock'
2nd once battery has been properly recharged, put a 'maintainer' on it. A 'maintainer' is a truckle charger that'll automatically shut off , when battery is charged.

 

[OrangeKrush]

Maybe I should have asked, but I assumed that it was new.

I know, ass-u-&-me.

I shut my fuel off, run it dry, and then open the little screw on the bottom of the carb to empty any possible remaining fuel.

I was thinking about shutting the fuel off and running it dry on my generator since it sits more than used. I just got it last summer and did put some fuel treatment in the gas. I figured I would pull it out and start it a month ago and it took quite a few pulls to start. It always started first pull in warm weather so I'm not sure if it was just really cold natured or from the fuel sitting in the carb so long.

Next time I start it "just to make sure it's ready for use" I may try your technique. I use to do it with a 2 stroke banshee I had so the carbs didn't get gummed up.

 

[OrangeKrush]

Westinghouse 9.5 k generator came with a small battery charger. I had this plugged in the generator to charge battery during monthly maint. run.
This month I found that I left the fuel open and flooded the carb. Add to that the battery was dead, I assume from sitting in the cold.
So, I ask for opinion. Battery charger is now plugged into an outside house outlet. Should I leave it on this charger plugged in all the time.
Second question. Would a name brand battery tender be a better option.
Thanks.

BTW: Both shoulders cramped up trying start the generator with the pull cord. Charged battery turned it over after 10 -12 tries. Blue smoke like an old Saab 2 stroke 3 cylinder.

I use a trickle charger on my Zero turn, Golfcart and mustang during the winter. I just keep it on one for a while then move it to the next and just keep rotating. Works great and safe!

 

[Biker1mike]

Thank you all. I did a deep dive into the owners manual and read all your feedback. Here is what I found and my plan.
1. Generator is new. Some important operating changes from the old stuff I am used to.
2. Westinghouse indicates that charger should be plugged to wall socket occasionally if gen not run often. (monthly).
3. There is a start/stop button and a breaker type battery shut off. I shut down last time using the battery shut off. This was wrong. The start/stop button will shut fuel solenoid and run gas out of the line.
4. I checked oil before starting and after running. Oil full, no odor, and good color.
5. Fuel has marine stabilizer.

Plan.
Will buy name brand battery tender.
Will follow proper shut down procedure.

Again. Thanks

Mike

 

[Magicman]

You also need to exercise the generator at least every month. I crank and run mine for about 5-10 minutes every week.

 

[Biker1mike]

You also need to exercise the generator at least every month. I crank and run mine for about 5-10 minutes every week.

Yeah, I was doing that up to now. No good excuse why I let it got to two months in the cold.
I may start every 2 weeks in the cold and monthly in summer.