MAXIMIZING THE EFFICIENCY OF YOUR GENERATOR: BEST PRACTICES FOR MAINTENANCE AND USAGE
Just like every other electronic gadget, generators require proper maintenance during the period of usage in order to avoid breakdown.
Availability of power is of utmost importance, so getting a generator for your house is not a bad idea; however, it is essential to note that simply purchasing a generator is not enough.
Maintenance is the Key for any capacity of generator you wish to acquire for your home. The same way humans exercise their bodies, experts advise that generators also require servicing at least twice a month. This will keep the battery of the generator up and running.
You will need to learn the act of routine maintenance just so that the generator operates at full capacity for maximum production of power.
At this juncture, the question is how you can maintain your generator set starting from the first day of purchase.
This post will highlight and explain the seven crucial ways to maintain your generator for maximum usage.
- Always check your fuel lines.
With time and continuous usage, your generator's fuel lines can become torn or clogged. This can prevent the supply of petrol or diesel from reaching the fuel system and can make your generator not start or run very efficiently.
While you can repair a clogged fuel line, it might be easier and more reassuring to simply replace a run-down fuel line— especially because they're sold in many sizes and are often pretty cheap.
- Always have extra oil.
Powering appliances such as your refrigerator and stove is hard on your generator's oil! If you're running the generator a lot, you'll need to change your engine oil often. You can expect to change the oil every 50 to 200 hours (or 25 hours for the first oil change when you get the generator), keep enough supply of oil in storage. With enough supply, you'll never have to worry about being in the dark.
- Change the Oil frequently.
A very crucial to maintain your generator is to change the engine oil regularly. How often you need to change the oil will depend on several factors, these include:
- The brand of generator
- How frequently you use the generator
- What surroundings the generator operates in
Experts advise changing the engine oil every 50 to 200 hours of operation based on the above factors. For example, newer, state-of-the-art model generators may require fewer oil changes because they operate cleaner than older models. But, if your generator operates in a surrounding with a lot of dust or contaminants, those contaminants can mix with your oil, so you may need to increase the number of times you change the oil.
- Replace or clean the dirty air filter.
Most generator experts will say that if an air filter looks dirty, replace it with a new one. This is solid advice, as the thin mesh of the filters can wear down with time and usage. If it becomes damaged, this could mean terrible news for your generator if left neglected.
- Check in on your spark plugs.
A relatively common reason generators won't start is because of a faulty spark plug. Either the plug is dirty, which interrupts its connection, or it could have trouble igniting. Either way, if the plug isn't creating an arc of electricity, your generator could be struggling to power up.
Ensure your engine has fully cooled down before removing your plug and inspecting it. If it is dirty, clean it with a brush and insert it back into your generator with a wrench. When doing this yourself, be careful not to over-crank and strip the threads on your plug, which could compromise your connection or even break your porcelain insulator and cause damage to your engine. If the plug looks fine to you, try replacing it with a new one and see if that helps. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, please call a technician.
Even if your generator isn't experiencing problems at a particular moment and you're just giving it a checkup, it might be time to replace the plug. As a general rule, if your air filter is dirty enough to need cleaning or replacement, it's time to replace the spark plug too.
- Purchase a long, heavy-duty extension cord.
It's no secret, generators can be loud. Most people position their generator further away from the house to cut down on the noise. But as an extension cord increases in length, the amount of voltage it can carry reduces. This means that your generator is working harder to produce less power, and can have extra unnecessary wear and tear on your unit over time. If you place your generator at a distance from the house, make sure you use a heavy-duty 12-gauge cord, not longer than 100 feet at most.
Not sure the voltage requirements you need? Consult a professional to find the right cord to power your particular voltage portable generator.
- Keep your air filter clean
A generator works from the rotor and stator. These two parts are located inside your generator, and work together to create electricity. When in operation, it is typical for rotors and stators to gather dust and other contaminants.
If you allow your generator to gather too much dirt, your rotor and stator won't be able to generate electricity as efficiently as possible. You'll also likely burn the two parts out faster than expected.
To eliminate dirt and dust, you must clean the air filters in your generator. And, regardless of how often you use your generator, it is advised to check the air filter for dust weekly.
If you live in a particularly dusty area, you should increase the number of times you check your generator. These precautions will ensure your generator is ready to use when you need it most.