You may have sometimes thought, “Who needs a generator when you have a continuous power supply!”
That’s true to an extent, but it is always good to have one handy in case of any unexpected power out. Generators are the need of every home situated in an area with frequent blackouts. It may be due to environmental conditions such as a storm or community issues. Not having a generator can leave you without electricity for hours sometimes, causing distress and discomfort.
Keeping a generator requires you to take care of it to ensure the proper functioning and increase its lifetime. If you do not use it adequately, the generator will wear off early, and you will need to buy a new one. Who wants to spend more money, though! You can avoid going through the stress of a damaged home generator by taking care of the following.
How does Home Generator Work?
Portable generators are great for when the power goes out. They’re small, light, and easy to carry around in case of emergencies or just because you need some extra juice at home during the wintertime.
Portable generators come with five primary parts: an internal combustion engine that turns chemical energy into electrical output (which is usually done through gas), alternators that generate electricity from spinning belts/rollers within your machine’s components; starters facilitate cranking up those motors by kicking them over so they can start running again – all while having enough fuel stored inside its tank and outlets attached directly onto it via cables.
Using Substandard Fuel
People using a generator usually think that they need to add enough fuel time to time is enough. However, it is not. Considering the quality of fuel is as important as adding fuel when the levels are low. If you keep using substandard fuel for a long time, condensation allows microbes to contaminate the system. This contamination will eventually damage the fuel injection system. Certainly not something you would want as changing the injection system is fairly costly. Try to opt for quality fuel to keep your generator in good health and save yourself from spending more money on it.
Buying a Generator Too Large
You might buy a large generator thinking that it’s good to have one and use as much equipment as need. Initially, it may seem to be the best idea, but your generator would not be happy with it. If you buy a much larger generator than the load you plan to transfer, it will waste fuel as it is not being used properly. Always opt for a generator suitable for your needs that does not take up a lot of space and uses enough fuel without any waste.
Back-feeding
Back-feeding is quite common in homes where generators are frequently used. It can be the cause of a potential electrocution hazard. Back-feeding literally means the flow of electricity in the opposite direction than how it is supposed to be. It usually occurs when you connect the generator to your home wiring system without disconnecting. If the back-feeding continues during an outage, it will keep energizing the transformer, which can cause a short circuit in the neighborhood. It is better not to directly connect the generator to the home wiring system to avoid back-feeding, especially without a proper technician.
Hiring a Subpar Technician
If you are to connect the generator to the home wiring, doing it by yourself can be fatal in case of an unexpected accident. Always choose an experienced technician for installation, repair, or maintenance of the generator to prevent an electrical hazard. You can find one online or ask people in the neighborhood for recommendations. Qualified and experienced technicians have the necessary skill set required to operate and repair a generator, making them the right choice in such a situation. Call those your neighbors or friends suggest and talk to them to see if their expertise lies in generators or elsewhere.
Insufficient Lubrication
Generators are typically loyal machinery and stay with you for a long time. But, in return, they require you to take care of them. If you keep using the generator without proper maintenance, it will experience wear and tear much earlier than anticipated. Make sure to lubricate it regularly to avoid friction between parts of the machine and smooth running. Lubrication also saves it from internal corrosion that you may overlook until it worsens.
Not Penning Down Essentials
Sometimes we forget to take care of the equipment around us when we are busy with other important stuff that needs to be done in our routine. However, it is necessary to make sure that you take care of the maintenance of your generator as negligence can result in corroded machinery. It is better to keep a record of everything from the amount of fuel it needs, oil changes, and overall evaluation timely. If you succeed in keeping minimal notes with dates, you can save yourself from significant loss.
Fueling While Running
Do you also refill your generator while it’s running? We suggest you stop doing that right away as it can massively affect the health of the generator. It is recommended to allow the generator to cool down before adding fuel to the machine. A single drop of fuel landing on a hot plug can result in a spark and further damage. Wait for the generator to cool down after turning it off. Fill the fuel to the recommended level once it has cooled down.
Using the Wrong Extension Cord
It is common to go for options available at home and to go buying extra accessories. But it might not be the best idea when it comes to a generator. Generators usually make use of grounded extension cords with 14-gauge GFCI functionality. If the right wire is not used, it may result in backfeeding and electrocution. Before you go for an old wire of the same kind, be sure to ask the technician if it’s in a condition to be used and safe from hazards. To save yourself and your neighbors from any unwanted incident, consult the user manual to understand everything about the generator combined with advice from the technician.
Never Running the Generator
Machines are meant to be used and kept running for them to work smoothly. If you never use a machine, just like a car engine, it will stop working properly and become a piece of metal over time. Operating the generator keeps it from jamming and lets you know of any faults in the machinery that may occur when you need it.
Operating the Home Generator Inside
We understand that you wouldn’t want the generator inside your home if you have enough space, but it is still not a good idea. Stationary generators are mostly installed away from home as per the company’s instructions, thus do not cause any harm. In contrast, portable generators emit Carbon Monoxide, adversely affecting your health if you do not keep it outside the house. Also, take necessary measures to save it from moisture and avoid operating the generator uncovered in times of rain and snow.
Not Considering Power Limits
As we stated that you should not buy an extravagant generator if you do not plan to use much equipment, it works the other way around. Many people miscalculate their power needs and end up buying a generator that is not enough. Suppose you keep burdening the generator with more load than it can bear. In that case, it will eventually wear off, and you will need to consult a technician about possible ways out.
Your generator would not work as you require it to if you do not give it the care it asks for. Don’t forget to read the manual when you purchase it and write down all maintenance needs. Avoid the points mentioned earlier like back-feeding, substandard fuel, wrong cord extension, and others. Keeping your generator maintained is mandatory to make sure the investment in your generator goes a long way without wear and tear.