Generators are essential tools for ensuring power during emergencies or natural disasters. They provide reliable electricity for homes and businesses. So maintaining generators in the winter is a crucial skill.
It’s vital to check your generator to ensure it regularly works. Call a professional immediately if you notice anything unusual, such as excessive noise or smoke.
#1: Check Your Batteries
Cold weather is a clear sign you need to check your battery. These are the most common things to go out (regardless of having a colder temperature).
Check to see if the batter looks old or deteriorated. You should see a layer of corrosion on top of the battery, which you can usually remove with a cleaning solution.
You can also take the time to check the connections. If any of them seem worn, replace them. Also, check to see if the breakers are tripped, a part of your routine maintenance process.
#2: Fuel Stabilizing (Clean Your Fuel)
Insert a fuel stabilizer inside your gasoline to keep your fuel fresh during long-term storage. If your fuel has already been there for too long, you might consider emptying the old one.
Stabilizers increase the longevity of your fuel. These are not a replacement for other maintenance activities.
#3: Change Your Engine Oil
Generator oil is another item meant to extend the longevity of your engine. Just like vehicles, you’ll need to change the oil once a year.
If you use your generator regularly, use your owner’s manual to determine how often you need to make a replacement. Typically, you should do this between 50 and 200 hours of use (depending on your engine’s size).
#4: Run Your Generator
Regardless of whether you need to use it, any tool that has a motor requires regular use. This scheduled use ensures that your devices don’t get worthless with age, so be sure to “exercise” your engines.
Cold weather has a chance to ruin unused engines. Whether they create motion or electric energy, your motors need to have about five or ten minutes of usage after long periods of non-use.
#5: Inspect Your Generator
You need two things to keep this non-standard motor happy;
- Space (to be sure the generator doesn’t overheat due to lack of ventilation)
- Good conditions (keeping it clean and removing water)
Warmer weather periods can cause condensation to be on top of your engine. If this isn’t addressed, it will freeze and cause issues for your motor during the winter months.
Taking the time to clean your motor ensures no blockages (ventilation) and no condensation. Taking soapy water is only necessary if you want your engine cleaned. Otherwise, a standard wipe-down will keep it maintained.
Conclusion
When it comes to maintaining your generator during the winter, the two biggest things are related to old gasoline and oil. When replacing those, everything else is just routine maintenance.
If you feel like your generator needs additional services (like rewinding), contact our team to check it out. At some stages, replacing old electric motors is a necessary part of the process.
