Use Of Electric Motors - Baldor PC Series Operator's Manual

As an alternative to draining the fuel from a gasoline engine, you can add a fuel stabilizer,
such as "STA-BIL" to minimize the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage (Follow
the manufacturer's directions).
2. Drain the used oil from the engine's crankcase and refill it with fresh, clean oil (if your
engine is diesel proceed to step 4).
3. If your engine has spark plugs, remove them and pour 1 oz. Of clean engine oil into the
cylinder. Put a rag over the spark plug port and turn the engine over approximately 5 times
to distribute the oil in the cylinder. Replace the spark plug but do not reconnect it. This will
help prevent accidental or unauthorized starting.
4. Provide maintenance to the engine and generator set as described in the engine and
generator maintenance sections of this manual.
5. Cover any bare metal spots with paint or another type of rust preventative.
6. Disconnect and remove the battery if your generator set is so equipped.

USE OF ELECTRIC MOTORS

Electric motors require much more current (amperes) to start them than to run them. Some motors,
particularly split-phase motors are very difficult to start and requires 5 to 7 times as much current to
start them as it does to run them. Repulsion-induction type motors are the easiest to start and
normally require 2 to 3 times as much current to start them as to run them.
Most fractional horsepower motors take about the same amount of current to start them as to run
them. This is true whether they are the repulsion-induction type motor, capacitor type motor, or the
split-phase type motor.
The other factors that influence the amount of current needed to start a motor are:
1. The type of load connected to the motor. If the electric motor is connected to a hard
starting load such as an air compressor it will require more starting current. If the same
electric motor is connected to a light load such as a fan or power saw it will require less
starting current.
2. The brand or design of the electric motor. The expected starting current for a particular size
motor will vary depending on the brand of the electric motor as well as the type of electric
motor (Split Phase, capacitor, Repulsion-induction type, etc...).
3. The condition of the electric motor. A clean motor with free turning bearings will require
less starting currents than a similar type motor that is dirty and the bearings are not as free
turning as they used to be.
NEVER STORE AN ENGINE WITH FUEL IN ITS TANK INDOORS OR IN AN
ENCLOSED, POORLY VENTILATED AREA WHERE GASOLINE FUMES COULD
REACH AN IGNITION SOURCE AND CAUSE AN EXPLOSION.
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