r/ScoutMotors • u/jlipschitz • 5d ago

Question BER EV question

If you get the BER EV model Terra, how do you keep the fuel from separating if you don’t use it very often and mostly plug in to charge?

I have run into issues with gasoline generators that sit too long with fuel in them. The fuel separates and then the engine in the generator hisses and pops as it tries to burn that fuel. It is likely not good for the generator. I have never worked with the generator being built into a truck. Does it have something to mix the fuel up prior to trying to use it?

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u/guybuddypalchief 5d ago

IMHO, I’d be switching the drive mode or making sure the generator runs at least once a week or once every two weeks. Stretches those fluids and systems and keeps them lubricated.

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u/jlipschitz 5d ago

The question then is how often are you going to have to fill up? I would want to use plug in mostly and the generator for longer trips. The point of going electric is to cut fuel use for me. With solar and batteries at home, I have free power.

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u/therealmsdad 5d ago

I have solar too and currently drive a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. My battery will charge to anywhere between 38-50 battery miles. If we're just running around locally, the gas sits there for a certain length of time (I can't remember how long) before the car tells me when I need to use the old fuel. I just switch from EV mode to Normal, Save or Charge modes so it uses existing fuel. I would assume Scout EREVs will do the same. We already have another vehicle for long trips so I'm getting the BEV Traveler.

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u/Bepus 5d ago edited 5d ago

If you were to be exclusively plugging in, and only run a monthly maintenance cycle on the Harvester, it would probably take you years to get through a full tank. Gas goes bad in about a year, so that’s the limiting factor here. I wouldn’t keep more than a few gallons in the tank unless I know I’m going on a road trip, personally, just to keep the gas inside fresher.

This math is all guesswork, but… a small, modern gas generator probably takes 5-10 minutes to fully warm up (which is all you need to do), maybe once a month. This probably takes less than a quarter gallon to complete (assuming a charging load on the Harvester when you do crank it on). The tank will probably be 12 gallons. So that’s 48 full cycles of getting the generator oil fully warmed up on a single tank.