With each new year, winter storms arrive with more intensity. The damage caused by these storms lasts for years to come. Don’t get caught unprepared for this winter storm season. Make sure your backup power source is ready to keep your business moving and prevent losses caused by power outages from winter storm damage.
Power outages cause downtime, resulting in financial losses. Winter storms often cause more than just power outages. Ice and snow can cause damage to power lines that take weeks to repair. In addition to possible damage, we have an aging power grid. No one should be without proper backup power for their home or business.
Purchasing generators to supply sufficient backup power is the first step to protecting your business against winter storm losses. The next step is maintaining your generator to ensure proper operation when needed. Thorough generator maintenance protects you from devastating losses caused by a loss of power in any catastrophic event.
Keep your generator in top shape with these must-know generator maintenance tips.
Top 7 Tips For Overall Generator Maintenance
Generators do more than you think, and they’re not only short-term solutions to disaster situations. In fact, did you know that generators power sea rescue vessels all around the world?
Generators can save you in an emergency, but they can also help power your home or small business intermittently or long-term. Government agencies, private companies, and thousands of households worldwide use them.
Before you spend your hard-earned cash only to have a melted, broken-down generator a few years later, ensure you know how to care for it properly. If cared for, a standby generator can last from 10,000 to 30,000 hours! That means the potential for decades of use.
1. Timely Removal of Worn Out Parts
If a part in your generator is getting old, replace it before it goes out completely. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, replacing the parts of your generator at the end of its documented lifespan will save you money and ensure a longer life for your generator.
It’s best to document when you replace these parts and write down the service date, so you know how long it will last and when it’s due for another upgrade.
2. Maintain General Cleanliness of the Generator and Its Surroundings
This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s the simplest and easiest way to ensure a full life for your generator, whether it’s diesel or gas-powered.
Do a visual inspection at least once a month. Clean in and around the generator before and after storage. If your generator is operating outside, ensuring it stays as clean and dry as possible is essential to maintain efficiency and longevity.
A generator cover to keep dust and dirt off your generator is never a bad idea, especially when it’s not in use.
3. Inspect Batteries and Wiring Regularly
Units that stay outside, especially those used during a storm, can take a beating. Regularly inspect the unit to confirm there are no loose clamps or wire connections.
You’ll also want to do routine checks for corrosion on or in the generator. Corrosion can weaken connections and joints, causing the generator to malfunction at the time you need it most. Inspect batteries for cleanliness and signs of corrosion as well.
4. Replace Fluid and Lubrication Oil In Your Generator
You don’t always know when the next big storm will hit, so it’s best to have these items on hand before you need them.
Much like a car, your generator will need an oil change at some point. For a small standby generator used for emergencies, you will need replacement oil after only 24 hours of continuous use. Then, every 50-60 hours of operating time after that. It’s best to stock up on extra oil, so you won’t worry about running out while using your generator.
5. Air Filter
Again, much like your vehicle, your generator will need a replacement air filter at some point. When to do so depends on how often you use your generator and whether it’s on standby or continuously in use.
Air filters protect the engine from dirt and debris that could otherwise get into the combustion chambers of your generator. If this happens, premature wearing of the materials inside your generator can cause failure and permanent damage. An old air filter will do no good in keeping out harmful debris, so you’ll need to change it out regularly.
Depending on the type of generator you have, you can either clean it or will have to replace the filter completely. Either way, it’s easy and worth the effort!
6. Lock It Down
Many generator owners need to pay more attention to this important step when thinking of long-term generator maintenance. The only thing worse than loud generator buzzing is the sound of silence when someone has stolen your costly investment.
“Out of sight, out of mind” is the best method for securing generators: using them inside your garage or shed, if possible, is the best option. Since generators are often stored or used outside, take some time to secure them to your property, especially with portable generators!
Using chains and padlocks to secure your generator to your building, tree, or other stable object is a popular way of securing your generator that won’t cost you much extra money.
7. Power Up Your Generator Every Three Months
Recommendations call for powering up your generator every three months for 30 minutes or so if you haven’t used it in a long time. Regular testing ensures that the battery is sufficiently charged and fluids are still moving through the generator.
Powering up your generator also ensures that you catch any issues before you are in an emergency then you can repair small issues, preventing big problems later.
Get Your Generator Before It’s Too Late
A generator is a wise investment for your business or your home to protect you in the event of a power outage. The potential loss from a lack of electricity is not worth risking when owning and operating a generator is so easy.In fact, with proper generator maintenance, you may only buy a new generator every 20-30 years! Need help finding the right generator for you and your business? We carry a variety of generators from trusted brands, including Cummins and Caterpillar. Our sales team can help you choose the right one for you.
Check out our buying guides or contact us today!
