5 Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Generator Running Smoothly
The truth of the matter is, when it comes to maintaining your generator, the more you neglect it, the greater the risk of it breaking down on you. Thankfully, generators aren’t extremely difficult to maintain. There are a few key maintenance practices that you want to keep in mind to keep your generator running well.
1. Keep it clean
Generators can often get stored in their own area, far away from where everyone else works. Because of this, they might not get as much attention when it comes to cleaning as other appliances would. Unfortunately, When your generator builds up dirt on it, this could affect how it performs.
The main areas that you should try to keep clean and free from dirt are the various filters, the spark plugs, and the main surface of the generator. The easiest way to ensure that your generator stays clean is to simply keep it free from dust whenever you’re cleaning, take it for a regular service, or do it yourself.
2. Store it in the correct area
Where do you keep your generator? Some generators are portable, making them easier to cart around and store, while others, like diesel generators, are much heavier and are usually installed in one area of the property. Choosing where you store your generator is also an important aspect to consider when it comes to maintenance.
Keeping your generator workshop and allowing it to gather sawdust will compromise its performance. Aim to find an area for your generator, whether it’s a fixed or portable generator, where it can remain clean and out of harm’s way. For generators that are too large to store inside, consider purchasing an enclosure. This will limit its noise and protect it from the elements.
3. Change its oil
Many people think that they don’t need to change their generator oil because they only use it every now and then. While there may be some truth to this, changing the oil in your generator is one of the most important maintenance tasks you have to do and should be done regularly. Certain generators can go for a lot longer without an oil change, only needing one every 50 hours of run time. At the same time, others need them done more often.
When oil is left in the generator for months at a time, it can cause oil seizures when the generator starts up again. So, if you plan on leaving your generator for a while, consider changing its oil first.
4. Understand it limits
Every generator has a capacity rating displayed in kVA, showing how much power it puts out, what it can potentially run, and for how long. Too often, we’ve heard clients say that their generator keeps tripping when they run their appliances without considering that they’re overloading the generator.
The ideal way to choose a generator is to calculate the total active watts you need power for at your business or home and purchase a generator capable of handling slightly more than that load, just in case you need to add more.
5. Keep parts moving
Have you ever heard people say you shouldn’t buy a car that’s been standing for a long time because it may have problems? The same applies to generators.
When these parts don’t move for long periods, they can seize or rust, causing issues when you start it up again. As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you start and run your generator for a bit at least once a month just to ensure these parts get some movement and are lubricated.
Should you do your own maintenance or hire an expert?
Performing routine maintenance on your generator isn’t rocket science, but it does come with risks. Each generator is slightly different, requiring you to know where certain parts are and how to fix any issues and conduct the service effectively. Likewise, if you make a mistake, the cost will be on your shoulders to pay for it. This is why we suggest getting your generator serviced by a professional. Not only will they do a good job, but they also have the expertise to spot any other issues that need to be fixed. Plus, if something breaks due to them, they’ll sort out the repairs for you. If you’re looking for a new generator, you can find prices on generators here.
Final Thoughts
Staying on top of your generator’s maintenance helps keep it in tip-top shape, and for those running businesses that rely heavily on electricity, it will also save you money by avoiding unnecessary downtime. Keep your generator free from dust build-up, ensure that it has enough space and ventilation, give it a regular oil change, and keep its parts moving, and it should serve you well for a long time.
