Generator Maintenance - 5 Easy Steps

If you are reading this article, then you have probably already seen the convenience of using a portable generator. It doesn’t matter where you use it - outdoors to power small appliances or at home, as a backup source of electricity. But are you sure that the generator will work reliably exactly when you need it?

Maintenance is a very important part of operating an electric generator. Incorrect storage of a gasoline, diesel or gas generator can lead to difficult starting and improper operation of the generator engine. So, here are a few recommendations for maintaining the generator, following which you can be sure that generator start when you need it!

Change of oil

The generator engine, like any other engine, requires timely maintenance, one of the main points of which is the timely replacement of oil.

For most new generators, several break-in cycles are necessary. Many manufacturers recommend a first oil change after 30 hours of use. After the first oil change, the next change is every 100 hours of operation or once a year, whichever comes first.

We recommend that the break-in cycle be slightly changed and replaced after 10 and 20 hours of operation of the generator, and then once a year or every 100 hours. If the generator is operated in severe conditions, the oil change interval should be reduced to 50-70 hours.

Candles and Filters

Without a high-quality spark and sufficient air flow, the generator will intermittently or even stop starting up. Change the spark plug and air filter every 200 hours of use or once at the beginning of each season. A new candle paired with a clean air filter will ensure the proper quality of the fuel-air mixture, helping the engine of the generator work more efficiently, which will significantly increase the life of your generator.

Many generators have reusable filters that do not require regular replacement. Caring for them is quite simple. Wash them thoroughly in gasoline, allow to dry and then pour 30-50 g of engine oil on it.

Store the generator with an empty tank

If you do not plan to use your generator for more than a month, be sure to drain the fuel from the tank, then start the engine and wait until it stops. Make sure there is no fuel left in the tank. If there is still a little fuel left in the tank, you can unscrew the sump on the tap and drain off the rest.

Accumulator charging

Not all portable generators are equipped with a battery. On generators equipped with an electric starter, there are batteries that must be fully charged before conservation. If possible, connect the battery to a charger that supports the charge / storage function to keep it charged and use it when you need it.

Off-season generator check

You can use the tips on storing the generator that we gave, but it's better to check the performance of your generator every 30 days. To do this, just start it and let it work for several minutes. This simple procedure will help to keep all engine parts in oil, which will eliminate the formation of corrosion and, accordingly, significantly increase the life of your generator.

See also: Generator Safety

Sergey Seromashenko