Did you know that only 12 percent of homes in the United States of America own a portable generator for power generation? There are many different types of generators that are perfect for providing power at your campsite or at home during a power outage.
One of the most important things to consider when you’re the owner of the best portable generator is the portable generator maintenance that comes with it. This changes depending on if you own a solar generator or fuel-powered generator but it is still vital.
The good news is that you’ve come to the right place for some portable generator maintenance tips. Continue reading this article to learn all about how to provide proper maintenance for your portable generator today.
Run Your Generator Every Few Months
An important part of proper portable generator maintenance with fuel-powered generators is to make sure that you’re running the generator for a bit every few months.
This is no different than a car or even a human. Generators need to be active and get some exercise periodically to ensure that they still function at the best of their abilities. Running your generator every couple of months will help to keep its battery charged and ready to go.
This prevents the need to charge our battery in the event of a power outage or tailgating for the big game. Your portable generator will be ready to go when you need it. Just make sure that your generator is outside before you start it up to avoid the harmful exhaust fumes it creates.
Check Your Generator’s Fuel
Another important thing to do when it comes to your generator’s maintenance is to check the fuel that is inside the fuel tank. Most gasoline and diesel generators will keep fuel sealed and stable for up to six months.
There are things that you can do in order to keep the fuel fresh and ready to go for even longer. Using a fuel stabilizer will keep the gasoline in your portable generator ready to go at a moment’s notice for up to two years.
Still, it is a wise idea to check your fuel on a regular basis. If you don’t want to invest in a fuel stabilizer for your portable generator then you need to empty your gas tank every few months to keep the fuel from getting stale and harming your engine.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of dealing with the fuel then you should consider a solar generator like the bluetti solar generator.
If your portable generator uses oil then it is important that you know how long the oil will last before it goes bad. The normal shelf life for oil in your generator is up to five years. Keep track of this and change the oil when the shelf life is almost up.
Stale oil will pose the risk of clogging up your generator and lead to costly repairs.
Check the Fuel Lines
Once you’re done checking the fuel inside of your generator’s fuel tank you’ll want to check out the fuel lines to ensure that they’re still in good condition. The more time that you own your portable generator, the more chances there are for the fuel lines to become cracked or clogged.
Issues with the fuel lines will keep the fuel from getting to the engine which will keep your generator from working when you need it most. Even if it does start, it likely won’t run the way that it is supposed to which is important if you’re trying to provide power to your entire home.
If you run into a clogged fuel line then it is possible for you to take on unclogging it as a DIY project. If the damage is severe then you’re better off with replacing the fuel lines rather than trying to fix them.
Get Extra Oil
Another great maintenance tip for your portable generator is to invest in some extra oil to keep on hand. If you plan on using your portable generator for keeping your appliances running when the power goes out then you’ll want extra oil. Powering these appliances does a number of your generator’s oil supply.
Your generator is no different from your car. If you use it often and run it hard then you’ll need periodic oil changes to keep it running smoothly. Expect to change the oil after every fifty hours of running time for your generator.
Replace the Air Filter
Another thing that you need to monitor and replace on a regular basis is the air filter for your portable generator. This air filter is vital for allowing your generator to run and operate at peak levels.
A dirty air filter will keep the combustion engine of the generator from getting the oxygen it needs to work and power your home’s appliances. The more you neglect this, the greater the odds are that you’ll need costly repairs for your home’s portable generator.
Make sure to avoid tearing the new air filter when you go to install it as this will also cause your portable generator to function poorly when you start using it.
Check Your Spark Plugs
One thing that portable generator owners tend to overlook when performing maintenance on their portable generator is checking the spark plugs. Nothing is worse than trying to start your generator when the power goes out and nothing happens.
A big reason that this happens is that your spark plugs have gone bad over the years. When your engine is cool, check out your spark plugs and examine them for damage or corrosion. If they’re in poor condition then you’ll want to replace them as soon as possible.
Start Practicing Great Portable Generator Maintenance Today
A portable generator is a great investment for any household but it won’t do you any good if it doesn’t work properly when you need it most. Portable generator maintenance is vital for getting the most out of your investment and keeping your household comfortable and safe when the power goes out.
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