Generator Maintenance Tips

Portable generators are great pieces of equipment that can save owners a lot of worry when it comes to keeping their homes or other operations powered and running. Whether you need emergency power for storm season, or your local energy grid is less than reliable, a portable generator can help keep the lights on in your life. But like any piece of equipment, generators can cease to function for a variety of reasons. It’s worth your time and effort to take a few extra precautions when operating your generator to make sure it keeps running season after season.

At Rick Case Honda, we want our customers to have all the information they need to keep up with general maintenance of their equipment.

Generators are an especially prudent choice to focus on when you have the time, since often they are emergency or backup power sources. Keep reading to find out some tips to keeping your generator running, or if you’re just interested in checking out the best new and used generators around, head into our showroom in Davie, Florida. We also serve Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida.

Oil and Filters

Any equipment or vehicle with an engine is going to need its oil and filter checked and changed eventually. Generators are no different in this regard. New generators should have their first oil change after just 30 hours of use. After that, change oil every 100 hours of use or at the beginning of every season, whichever comes first. It’s a good idea to stock up on filters and oil in preparation for the season. This will help avoid any rush at local retail stores should the forecast predict a storm.

Run Your Generator Regularly

We recommend starting up your portable generator at least once every couple months. This helps keep internal components in working order, distributing oil and lubricant, and preventing any buildups that could cause maintenance problems in the future. Just let the generator run for about a half hour, giving it time to charge the battery for the electric starter. This will save you the worry of simply hoping your generator will turn over when an emergency arrives.

Fuel Storage

Proper fuel storage comes in a couple forms, all of which are to help keep your generator free of problems and your fuel reliable in its effectiveness. When your generator isn’t in use, it’s important to drain the fuel to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel systems and parts, such as the carburetor, fuel hose, and fuel tank. Fuel with an alcohol blend are especially prone to attracting moisture, and that leads to separation in the tank. Acidic fluid and gas can build up and damage the fuel system if improperly drained.

If you plan to put your generator away for more than a month, take the time to perform some preventative maintenance to ensure your generator will be ready to go when you bring it back out. Start by adding a gasoline stabilizer to the fuel tank and run the generator for ten or so minutes. Let the engine cool then remove all gasoline from the tank. Start the generator again and let it run until it stops from lack of fuel.

Ensure Proper Wattage

Every generator should have listed two capacity ratings. The first is rated or continuous watts, which is the maximum power the generator can put out on an extended basis. This is the only rating you should rely on when picking out a generator. The higher maximum or starting rating refers to how much extra power the generator can produce for a few seconds when an electric motor starts up. Don’t use this number to figure what and how much you’ll be able to hook up to it. The generator will work for a while, but it’ll soon be a melted-down piece of scrap.

Generator maintenance doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore. As long as you know what to look for and how to react when you do find an issue, you’ll save yourself time, money, and worry. If you’re still after some generator maintenance tips, or you’re just interested in looking at some new and used generators, head into Rick Case Honda in Davie, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Come in today and let our team of courteous professionals answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.