Home Generator Maintenance How-To’s and Quick Tips
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| Home Generator image from GE |
Buying a home standby generator is a huge investment! While
a lot of maintenance is best left to the pros—check your generator
manufacturer’s site for nearby dealers—there are a few precautions you can
take to make sure you have power under any circumstances. Below are some of the dealer pages for some large generator brands:
Why Should I Use Fuel Additives?
Keep gum from forming in and around fuel system as the
generator sits unused by adding a stabilizer (sometimes called fuel preserver)
to the fuel tank and extra gas in storage. Use the stabilizer according to
package directions and then run your generator for a few minutes to circulate
the solution through the carburetor.
This said, if you use the generator only in emergencies,
leave the tank empty.
What Kind of Oil is Right for My Generator?
Amazon.com’s Generator
Buying Guide has some solid guidelines:
“Above 40°F,
use SAE 30. Below 40°F and down to 10°F, use 10W-30. Below 10°F, use synthetic
5W-30.”
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| Generator from Kohler |
Make sure your home standby generator has enough oil in it
to keep it running smoothly and maintain your engine’s lifespan. Many
generators shut down automatically to protect the engine if the level gets too
low. To keep yours protected and ready-to-go, check the oil level whenever you
add fuel by checking the dipstick and filling to the full marker. Keep a few
quarts of oil on hand in case of emergencies.
Inspect Replaceable Parts Regularly
In addition to the engine oil, check out your carburetor,
air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug regularly according to your home
generator owner manual.
