🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <34a78m$8dt@Times.Stanford.EDU>,
Marc T. Kaufman <kaufman@Xenon.Stanford.EDU> wrote:

>>	Should run on gasoline.
>
>Bad choice.  Gasoline doesn't keep well.  However, for a 3500 watt generator
>it may be a reasonable choice if you use stabilizer, run the generator, and
>don't try to store too much gas (that doesn't get used) at home.

Aviation fuel keeps much longer than auto gas, and the 80/87 octane
grade is unleaded. It's also hard to find and costs as much as twice
what auto gas costs. It'll keep more than a year in a standard gas can.

Don't even consider 100 octane avgas, though. It still has lead tetraethyl
additives.

>>	I'm certain that Honda engines are good, but why do some
>>	brands (e.g. generac, coleman, ...) cost so much less?? 
>
>The gas engines are made in an unnamed asian country.

Federal law requires that the country of manufacture be clearly stated
on such items. You may have to look hard for it, but it's usually on
the engine data plate. Besides, that doesn't necessarily mean anything;
Honda engines are made in a Asian country.

Most US manufacturers of small engines are making "L" head flathead
engines which are modifications of a 40s era engine design. They're easy
to make, consequently, they're relatively cheap. They're also noisy, get
relatively poor fuel economy, have a low horsepower to weight ratio,
and put out about 50 times the pollution of a similar sized Honda.

You will find that any generator using an overhead valve engine design
with a progressive carburettor will cost about what the Honda does.

From what I hear, Honda and Kohler are pretty much tied for top in
small engine quality.

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