fuel level for generator

[T MARK]

Do all DPs have a fuel level cutoff for the generator? I want to run the older fuel down until the generator cuts off so I can add fresh fuel and the generator seems to be running for days.
Also, is it a problem to run the generator dry just to lower the tank level?
And should a diesel idle at around 1500 rpm with no problem? Mine will but for only about 5 mins. then cuts off.
Thoughts on the above will be greatly appreciated. Mark

[d23haynes57]

Do you suspect or have a fuel problem that you are looking to burn it off? If the fuel is bad do you really want to use the generator to get rid of it? Depending on generator size and load you may be burning as little as .3 gallon/hour.
For the engine idling cutting off that is a setting in the ECU. Was probably set for delivery in an area where idling a diesel is regulated. Note, that even in gear, stay still long enough with foot on brake and it will still shut off. I learned to occasionally lift my foot to reset the 3-minute timer when I first got the 04' Tropi-Cal. I had that "feature" turned off.

[Flyer15015]

Mark,
Idling a diesel for long periods is really not a good idea, as that is the BEST way to "carbon up" the whole system. Your generator just "sips" fuel and it too will carbon up.

If you want to drain the fuel tank, use a siphon. Surely you can get a length of 3/8" silicon tubing down the fill port and drain it into a couple of cans.

JMHO
Mike in Colorado

[Domo]

Why run up hours on the genny when you can just siphon, as suggested.

By the time the genny consumes any quantity of diesel it will be time for an oil and filter(s) change - not very cost effective.

Take you BFF or BMF for a an overnight in some park a hundred miles away - you'll likely use up 8-12 gallons and have fun doing it.

[Tony Ramirez]

"Take you BFF or BMF for a an overnight in some park a hundred miles away - you'll likely use up 8-12 gallons and have fun doing it."

100 miles each way=200M round trip. I'm using WAY more than 8-12 gals for 200M, more like 25gal. But still more fun than sitting there.

[Arch Hoagland]

T MARK how old is the fuel?

[Domo]

Originally Posted by Tony Ramirez

"Take you BFF or BMF for a an overnight in some park a hundred miles away - you'll likely use up 8-12 gallons and have fun doing it."

100 miles each way=200M round trip. I'm using WAY more than 8-12 gals for 200M, more like 25gal. But still more fun than sitting there.

Well, you did understand the concept of doing something fun, rather than simply burning fuel. OP can do his own math since I don't think he specified how much fuel he wishes to waste. And, if the got there and then thought he was low enough he could top off with good new fuel. Kinda his objective I thought.

[mannebk]

Diesel doesn't go bad.

100 year old diesel is just diesel, so long there is no diesel pest in it. and trust me, you would know if you had the pest.

gasoline does turn bad. starts after about 3 months.

depending on how much pressure is in the tank. a old vented genset or classic car tank, the stuff WILL turn into varnish... sooner or later.

in a pressurized tank, not so much of a problem. all cars since about the 90 have pressurized tanks and EVAP systems to control unburned carbon emissions. these dont really have a problem with "old" gasoline.

just don't go wide open throttle, don't put load on the engine. cause old gasoline knocks the living (pit your preferred curse word here, or any suitable replacement) out of your gas engine...

so with old diesel: just run it, its not a problem.

with old gasoline, drive it carefully and top up with highest grade available ASAP. or add octane additives to bring them back to acceptable levels.

no need to "burn" it of.

you also can add 5% ATV or two stroke oil to your tank, that makes it burn slower on being ignited... so the flame travels slower through the cylinder and the stuff is less likely to ignite on a hot spark plug or exhaust valve.... reduced knocking and a blue plume on your tail pipe... probably a dead catalytic converter too.

regarding water, in diesel. its not really a problem, bio Diesel, that's part of most diesel blends nowadays, suck it up and it will just burn a little less efficient. no probs with injectors or pumps if its not a lot of water. with pure diesel, the water will clog up the injectors, water molecules in a pure diesel environment are to big to fit through the piezoelectric injectors of high pressure diesel systems (non needle based injection) without doing damage.

similar to gasoline with ethanol, the ethanol will suck it up. but that will accelerate the knock resistance degradation. but if you run pure non blended gas, you have similar issues as the diesel folks, the water does damage to the efi injector, no issue with carb or a mechanical injection, but who wants a k-jet or ke-jet, ive got a bunch, not much fun either.

I've run plenty old fuel, once a 16 years old gasoline tank, i had filled up when parking that car (79 mercedes 280 CE) at 26 years of age, got it back out the shed at 42 years of age, started right up, idle fine, cruising fine, but in acceleration knock was significant, untill i started blending with premium fuel. i also disabled the manifold pressure and rpm driven spark advance for that one tank...

besides that i always go for fuel blends. cause they take care of condensation based water in the tank.

only when i know park for extended time, i run em dry, then fill up with 1.5 gal aspen four stroke fuel, or use unblended gasoline and fill the tank to the brim of the cap.

cheers

[Domo]

OP does not specify WHY he needs to waste the fuel.

As stated above, diesel per se, does not go bad. However a partial tank of fuel that has not been maintained over time (year or more) can have undue condensation inside, which can contribute to algae growth without a biocide treatment. So, there is an off-chance that OP wants to reduce the volume of collected moisture, fill completely with fresh to reduce "lid height" and resulting future condensation while treating with biocide for more proper long-term storage.

Sadly, this is a case of OP not really telling the entire story - leading the forum to speculate down diverse pathways or Why, How and Does It Make Sense.

All responses from the members have been correct and helped fill any gaps OP might have in our stories.

[T MARK]

The fuel is probably 3-4 years old. I've added some conditioner to what fuel I haven't drained but I want to get the level down without draining before adding new fuel. Based on the answers I received I guess I have some decisions to make. Thanks, Mark

[Domo]

Originally Posted by T MARK

The fuel is probably 3-4 years old. I've added some conditioner to what fuel I haven't drained but I want to get the level down without draining before adding new fuel. Based on the answers I received I guess I have some decisions to make. Thanks, Mark

Good followup on your part, Thanks!

[jacwjames]

I filled the rig up after our last long trip in late 2015. From 2016-2020 I didn't travel in my rig much. but did have it parked on the property where I was building a house. I actually started living it once I started doing the electrical and plumbing for security reasons.



When I parked the rig with fuel full tank and added Biobor & Startron. which prevents algae buildup & an enzyme which will breakdown dead algae. In 2019 (4 years) I started using diesel out of the tank for my tractor. After I got most of it out I took the rig and filled with 85 gallons of fuel.


So diesel fuel can last a long time but I'd advise using the Biobor and Startron to treat it. Not sure on your rig but I have a primary and secondary filter. The primary will catch anything from the tank. If you have a similar setup I'd have spare filters on hand and know how to change them.