Do you actually go to the auctions, and do they allow you to inspect the generators that are going up for bid? Finally, will they load it on a trailer for you?
I found an ONAN plate on this one. I already replaced the leaky fuel line, exhaust gasket and put a new stop solenoid in. Next Ill change oil and do a general cleanup before setting it in place. Ill be selling my 10k unit.
WAIT! You said in the beginning you won with a bid of $425 and at the end you are saying it was over $1500 after fees. Have the fees gone up that much?
I've been looking st these, but I know nothing about generators. You said yours has 90 hours. What does that mean? The ones I'm looking at have 5-7 hours.
The hours measured represents the actual time the engine has been running. The reason it matters is that it also represents accumulated wear, and machines have only so much life in them. Like a used car is advertised with miles on the odometer, hours on a generator gives a starting point for judging how "used up" the machine is.
Interesting things to learn about generators when just starting out: Diesels have a reputation for being rugged (reliable). Prices are noticeably higher, often 10x for the same power rating. Diesel fuel doesn't go stale like gasoline. Slower running engines last longer and many diesel generators run at 1800 rpm, though some run fast, at 3600 rpm like virtually all gasoline engines I see. Bigger engines can power more, obviously, but also burn fuel faster even when not loaded. Smaller engines are more fuel efficient, but loads are more limited. Inverter generators cost quite a bit more, run on gas, provide nearly ideal electricity (very low electrical noise, so no risk of damaging appliances), and are much quieter. Honda has a premium ($) reputation for quality, and makes a variety of generators, including inverter generators. Honda generators hold resale value well. Never let a diesel run out of fuel. If you do, you have to learn about priming (I don't know about exceptions to this rule). In contrast, it is good drain the gas from a gas generator as well as letting run out of fuel. Ethanol-free gas is better: While stored, gas with ethanol will absorb humidity from the air into the fuel (think gas+vodka), and the "vodka" is denser than gas so will sink to the bottom of the tank. If that tank is on the generator (vs gas can), water ("vodka") is drawn from there next time the engine runs. Engines won't run on water. 🙂
Discos with all military equipment. They're not new. They just don't get used often. they get abused When they do and they're pretty low quality to start off with. And a big factor is it depends on what unit had it last so some units are Great with maintenance and make sure their equipment is basically brand new and always works and always Trying to use it. And other units are really bad at maintenance abuse, their equipment and Treat it like trash. But also everything else said in this reply section is correct.
Some things to consider in addition to the other comments. Some of the generators do have low hours - but they are 20-40 years old! The military needs to keep a stock of equipment available in case they go to war - but in peacetime a lot of it just sits dormant. Low hour equipment that has been sitting for years may not be reliable enough to take into battle - rubber parts, hoses and seals age and deteriorate over time and the equipment may not be something you want to rely on in a life/death situation. Also technology changes - the newer equipment might be lighter, more efficient and more capable of doing the job. Some of the equipment offered is still functional - but is obsolete and cannot do the job as well as the newer equipment.
