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re: What is the best oil to use for a 24kw generac home generator?
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:58 am to poolplayah
Posted on 9/12/24 at 9:58 am to poolplayah
I run Penzoil Ultra Platinum after seeing a test on YouTube showing it perform quite well compared to Amsoil. I also just run the standard 5W-30 that is recommended.
For oil filters, I am currently running a Microguard from O’Reilly but you could also run a Wix or Mobil cross referencing part numbers. I made a list here:
LINK /
For oil filters, I am currently running a Microguard from O’Reilly but you could also run a Wix or Mobil cross referencing part numbers. I made a list here:
LINK /
1
Posted on 9/12/24 at 11:04 am to poolplayah
5w-40 multi-fuel or diesel heavy duty oil is what I prefer for all air cooled engines. 15w40 is fine too, but 5w40 is easier on them at startup.
This post was edited on 9/12/24 at 11:05 am
Posted on 9/12/24 at 11:09 am to bapple
quote:
Penzoil Ultra Platinum
For an air-cooled generator engine this is probably one of the better choices for an available non-boutique oil. Ultra Platinum has a high oxidation value (almost 3x higher than Penzoil Platinum) and more detergency plus a borate ester in the additive package. I run Royal Purple 5W30 in my generator which is mainly because I got a lot of it for a highly discounted price.
Posted on 9/12/24 at 1:49 pm to bapple
Posted on 9/12/24 at 3:26 pm to poolplayah
I just had a 24kw Generac installed so this is fresh in my head.
Air-cooled generators that are between 8-26 kW and were made from 2013 up to now, come with regular 5W-30 conventional oil. This also includes the 7.5 kW PowerPact model. This oil should be used for the generator's break-in period.
When it comes to air-cooled generators, except for the 7.5 kW PowerPact, make sure to do the first oil change at 25 hours of use. Switch to the 5W-20 GEO synthetic oil at this point. The 7.5 kW PowerPact should have its initial oil change after 20 hours of use.
For liquid-cooled generators, the exact break-in time varies, so check the owner's manual.
In summary, following the break-in period for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled generators smaller than 150 kW, we suggest using Generac’s 5W-20 GEO synthetic oil, no matter the temperature.
summary:
initial 25 hours is break in with 5w-30 conventional,
then switch to 5w-20 full synthetic.
Change oil every 200 hours, or every 48 hours of continuous usage.
Air-cooled generators that are between 8-26 kW and were made from 2013 up to now, come with regular 5W-30 conventional oil. This also includes the 7.5 kW PowerPact model. This oil should be used for the generator's break-in period.
When it comes to air-cooled generators, except for the 7.5 kW PowerPact, make sure to do the first oil change at 25 hours of use. Switch to the 5W-20 GEO synthetic oil at this point. The 7.5 kW PowerPact should have its initial oil change after 20 hours of use.
For liquid-cooled generators, the exact break-in time varies, so check the owner's manual.
In summary, following the break-in period for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled generators smaller than 150 kW, we suggest using Generac’s 5W-20 GEO synthetic oil, no matter the temperature.
summary:
initial 25 hours is break in with 5w-30 conventional,
then switch to 5w-20 full synthetic.
Change oil every 200 hours, or every 48 hours of continuous usage.
Posted on 9/12/24 at 10:59 pm to GoAwayImBaitn
quote:
I'd rather a 10w-30 in an air cooled engine if using a multi weight. The greater the difference in the oil's multi weight index, the more prone it is to shearing under heat.
We aren't in cold weather, so no benefit to using 5w30 oil.
Which is why I run mobil1 0w40 in everything that calls for a 30w oil.
It shears down to heavy 30w in 10k miles on the truck and car. Has no wear metals in the mower after a year. And still looks fine in the side by sides every 12-1500 miles.
I can also keep boxes pf it on the shelf. Buckets for tractors, boxes for everything else.
Edit: under exactly ZERO situations should you run a 5w20 or 0w20 in an air cooled motor in louisiana. Zero. Wear metals don't lie. Neither does the temp that oil will break down at. In an air cooled motor, you will have temps FAR exceeding the limits of a 20w oil anywhere near the combustion chamber.
This post was edited on 9/12/24 at 11:03 pm
Posted on 9/13/24 at 8:53 am to LSUfootball222
quote:
I just had a 26kw whole home kohler installed. Dealer told me change oil every 8 hours if it’s running continuously. Is that just CYA? seems like overkill to me.
This actually made me laugh. No, you do not need to change the oil every 8 hours under any circumstances.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 9:18 am to TSmith
Yea, that's ridiculous even for high speed air cooled engines.
I change mine when it's convenient to do so, usually after I get power back post-hurricane. With heavy duty engine oil, I guess I'd change it after 2 weeks of relatively continuous use. Never had to go that long to find out. These days, going 5 days without power is highly unusual where I live. Hasn't happened since Gustav.
I change mine when it's convenient to do so, usually after I get power back post-hurricane. With heavy duty engine oil, I guess I'd change it after 2 weeks of relatively continuous use. Never had to go that long to find out. These days, going 5 days without power is highly unusual where I live. Hasn't happened since Gustav.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 12:16 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Doubt the oil really matters, personally. You're likely a lot better off just turning the damn thing off for a couple of hours a day and getting outside. There's no reason to run it 24/7, but that's just me.
If you don't want to spend extra on better oil just change it more often. I'm no gear head or anything else, but just don't run crappy oil for 500 hours. Changing the oil and the normal intervals and not running it for 72 hours straight and you are likely more than fine.
If you don't want to spend extra on better oil just change it more often. I'm no gear head or anything else, but just don't run crappy oil for 500 hours. Changing the oil and the normal intervals and not running it for 72 hours straight and you are likely more than fine.
Posted on 9/13/24 at 2:10 pm to baldona
It does matter. Air cooled engines run really hot and are not meant for prime power usage, which is basically what we are doing to them. Modern 5w40 heavy duty engine oil is fantastic for them, since it's designed for high temp hard use in multi-fuel turbocharged engines with different kinds of valve trains. It's really good stuff.
Posted on 9/15/24 at 1:11 pm to LSUfootball222
That's total bs o the Kohler. I am looking at my operators manual on my Kohler 26KW. Change oil at 150 hrs. Use Kohler 5w-30 full synthetic oil.
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