fmtek 4 Posted October 28, 2012 Just got a Steele 6000W generator. No oil was in it. The manual says it takes 10w30. I bought it and was only able to put in 1 quart. Does 1 quart sound right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
henrym 19 Posted October 28, 2012 Steele 6000W generator - 1.16 quarts according to the spec http://www.samsclub....4780461.ip#spec As was stated in an earlier post, make sure to use a high quality oil. These machines will possibly be running for a long time. If possible, also replace the spark plug with a quality unit. Follow the manufacturer directions about the initial oil flush. Most are within the first 20 or so hours. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RecessedFilter 222 Posted October 28, 2012 I would check the manual. A lot of these generator engines aren't large so 1 quart doesn't sound too far fetched, but I am honestly not sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Grunt 44 Posted October 28, 2012 It sounds about right, changed my oil in a 5500w Gen and it was 1L Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fmtek 4 Posted October 28, 2012 I read the whole manual. It doesn't say how much. I put in one quart and it goes to the H (High) on the screw in dip stick. Just wanted to make sure it's good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Grunt 44 Posted October 28, 2012 Start it up, turn off and recheck oil level Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tactical Turtle 11 Posted October 28, 2012 Mine takes 1 quart. I use thumper synthetic blend for atvs and dirt bikes in all my 4 stroke engines. I will also use in ky generator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nino 0 Posted October 28, 2012 I use to work at a shop repairing them and also do it at my shop in clifton. Use 0w30 oil and it's one quart usually. Check the oil while using it bc brigs and stranton n generacs have issues of blowing. Any questions or repairs pm me Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
henrym 19 Posted October 28, 2012 I will also use in ky generator. You must need alot of ky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tactical Turtle 11 Posted October 28, 2012 You must need alot of ky. Yea and when i run out i just spit on it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sig226GuyNJ 128 Posted October 28, 2012 I use to work at a shop repairing them and also do it at my shop in clifton. Use 0w30 oil and it's one quart usually. Check the oil while using it bc brigs and stranton n generacs have issues of blowing. Any questions or repairs pm me What do you mean issues of blowing? I just freaking bought a Briggs and Stratton. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CageFighter 236 Posted October 28, 2012 What do you mean issues of blowing? I just freaking bought a Briggs and Stratton. I hear ya! I just p/u one @ Lowes just in case. I hope NOT to use it and return it on Wednesday! Package will be unopened until needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sig226GuyNJ 128 Posted October 28, 2012 I hear ya! I just p/u one @ Lowes just in case. I hope NOT to use it and return it on Wednesday! Package will be unopened until needed. I was going to do that too, but I didn't want to be making a shelter for it in the middle of a hurricane so I decided to hook her up and get her running. I'd do it right now if I were you. There's no doubt we're going to lose powers for a significant amount of time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 28, 2012 I hear ya! I just p/u one @ Lowes just in case. I hope NOT to use it and return it on Wednesday! Package will be unopened until needed. Thats a bad plan, you are going to find yourself doing the first oil change in the middle of a storm, trying to figure out where all the controls are, etc. Not to mention, you might need it again and if your plan is to never use it and return it you might have taken the last generator from someone who was going to REALLY need it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RubberBullets 65 Posted October 28, 2012 As mentioned in a forum I was perusing the other day.. The best time to buy a generator is the following weeks AFTER a storm like this. When people realize they dont have the coin to pay for it. Discounts for EVERYONE! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sig226GuyNJ 128 Posted October 28, 2012 Thats a bad plan, you are going to find yourself doing the first oil change in the middle of a storm, trying to figure out where all the controls are, etc. Not to mention, you might need it again and if your plan is to never use it and return it you might have taken the last generator from someone who was going to REALLY need it. Mine is hooked up, but I'll still be doing my first oil change in the middle of the storm. You're supposed to do it after about 12 hours of run time, correct? Do I actually have to drain the oil or will the oil be gone? Probably have to drain it, which sucks b/c I dont know where the drain is. LOL. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 28, 2012 Each generator has a different first run time, look at the manual. Yes you will have to drain it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sig226GuyNJ 128 Posted October 28, 2012 Thanks Vlad. One more question if you don't mind. I put a table on top of it, with tarp held down with rope and cinder blocks. How much ventilation does the genny need? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vlad G 345 Posted October 28, 2012 Who knows .. it needs to have air to run, somewhere for the CO to go, and not be in the rain. I'd be more worried about the table being blown away then anything else. Just don't run it inside your house or attached garage, everything else is secondary. I suspect unless you enclose it in a airtight shed it would have enough air, the CO is the bigger worry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fmtek 4 Posted October 28, 2012 Start it up, turn off and recheck oil level I will do that. I started it up and tested the outlets. I had to then run out to help my cousin with sandbagging his garage I will check the oil when I get home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tactical Turtle 11 Posted October 28, 2012 Mine is sitting in the box... i can drag it inside to do the oil change and crap im jot worried. If i dont use it i can probably sell it and make money on it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sig226GuyNJ 128 Posted October 28, 2012 Who knows .. it needs to have air to run, somewhere for the CO to go, and not be in the rain. I'd be more worried about the table being blown away then anything else. Just don't run it inside your house or attached garage, everything else is secondary. I suspect unless you enclose it in a airtight shed it would have enough air, the CO is the bigger worry. Its outside. Table and tarp have cinder blocks on it. I guess it'll have to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theron 5 Posted October 28, 2012 Do you guys attach ground wires and such? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike 14 Posted October 28, 2012 In my opinion having a generator is like an insurance policy for peace of mind.Better to have and not need then need an not have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeteF 1,044 Posted October 28, 2012 Do you guys attach ground wires and such? For a portable yes. I just got some extra cheap jumper cables (10 gauge) cut the alligator clamps off 2 ends, and joined those 2 ends together., to make a double length cable with clamps on either end. Using the alligator clamps, I clamp the frame of the generator on 1 end and the cold water faucet outside the house. No muss no fuss. When done I just wrap the cable up and store it with the generator. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted October 28, 2012 All generators have a gounding lug on the unit. You can take a pair of jumper cables and clamp one black leg to the gounding lug and the other to your panel's grounding rod if its close enough. Or the unshielded cable from the panel going to the grounding rod. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XDJohnTact 49 Posted October 28, 2012 I love the information I learn on here. I never knew I had to ground my Genny to the house? I assumed the ground wire going into the box did it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tactical Turtle 11 Posted October 28, 2012 Wish i knew this while i was at lowes ugh no way to ground it atm oh well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted October 28, 2012 If using a properly installed transfer switch it probably does. If you are using extension cords on 120V circuits, there is a gound wire back to the genny but it has no where to go, hence the ground wire on the genny. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Urban Grunt 44 Posted October 28, 2012 I used a 1/2" copper pipe 4.5 foot long hammered into the ground............not to code but better than nothing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites