by the Professional Power Tool Guide Crew
Anyone that’s ever had to survive for a prolonged period of time on the power of a generator can tell you that there are few things more important than maintaining it. Much like your car, a generator works off of a gas powered engine, and requires a certain amount of maintenance and care in order to keep it in good running shape. Oil changes and tune ups can mean the difference between having a generator that reliably keeps the lights on and having a large sputtering engine let you down. How to keep a generator running is similar to how to keep a car running.
One of the most important things that you can do to keep your generator running smoothly is to make sure that you store it properly. Keeping your generator protected from the elements will help prevent it from becoming caked with dirt, infested with bugs or just plain soaked, which can lead to rusting. Unlike a car that has its motor protected by a hood, most generators have the engine exposed, so the only protection it’ll have from the elements is that which you provide it. Keeping that motor clean and safe is one of the quickest ways to keep a generator running smoothly.
Another great way to keep your generator humming along is to do regular oil changes. In your car, you know that the average manufacturer recommends that you change your oil every three to five thousand miles. Since a generator does not have an odometer, it’s easy to forget that the oil in its motor needs to be changed. If you want to know how to keep a generator running, you should consult your owner’s manual about how many hours you should run the generator before changing your oil. Waiting until the power is already out to discover that you’re overdue for an oil change is not the way to go!
A good generator is only good as long as it is running well. Properly maintaining your generator’s motor can provide you with many years of use in times of need. Whether you use your generator for work or play, it’s important that you learn how to keep a generator running, so that it will always be ready when you need it. Keep it protected, change the oil and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintaining it, and it will never let you down!
