Why your portable generator might fail (and how you can prevent it!)

When the power goes out, you don’t want to realize your portable generator might fail.

A portable generator might fail for any number of reasons – and several of them are easily preventable.

So before the need arises, take some time to make sure your portable generator is in good working order. Here are some reasons it might fail (and how you can prevent it!):

1. No fuel/fuel issues: You know your generator needs fuel to operate. For portable generators, you need gasoline to operate your machine – and that fuel can’t be old or stale. Fuel that has sat in a can or in your generator for a while can lose its combustibility – meaning it won’t start or it’ll be a hard start. Also, fuel that has been contaminated by dirt, water or something else can mean your generator can’t operate properly or at all. Make sure you have fresh fuel at all times. It should be no older than 6 months old and make sure you store it in a clean tank.
2. Maintenance issues: When was the last time you or a professional did maintenance on your generator? Can’t remember? We get it. Life is busy. But if you haven’t done any maintenance, your generator might not be ready when you are. Make sure to hire a qualified professional or here are some simple things to do yourself, like clearing any leaves or debris, changing air filters and belts, checking for damage or stale fuel.
3. Damage: You probably store your generator in a garage or basement and that can lead to damage, namely from rodents or other pests. Rodent damage can be devastating, as they can chew on wires or insulation, damaging your generator – and possibly causing a fire hazard. They can also leave nesting debris inside your machine. It’s not easy to prevent rodent or pest damage, but setting up traps and making sure your home is as rodent free as possible helps – as does checking your generator periodically for signs of infestation.
4. Overload: You fire up your generator and you want to run everything. But your generator has a capacity that is very important to know – and not go over. Overloading your generator can lead to damage and fire. It can also wear out components – shortening the life of your generator. It’s easy to prevent – just learn your generator’s capacity and don’t exceed it!

No one wants their generator to not work when they need it most, so a few simple reminders is generally all it takes to make sure your generator is properly maintained and ready to go!

Quality Power Systems

If you have questions about your backup power system, we can help. Contact us today and let one of our experts answer your questions.