Extend the Life of Your Home Generator With These Tips

Your home generator may be the one powering all your appliances at home when there’s a power outage, but technically speaking, it is also a kind of home appliance itself. 

And just like any other individual piece of equipment you use to make life more convenient, it needs regular maintenance. Whether it’s cleaning the generator or purchasing replacement generator parts, doing the little things can significantly extend the life of your home generator. 

Top Tips for Extending the Life of Your Home Generator

Consider the following home generator maintenance tips to ensure that your generator continues to perform at a high level of efficiency.

Clean Your Generator Regularly

This may seem obvious, but many homeowners fail to clean their generators on schedule, resulting in dust and debris accumulating on the rotor and stator. These two are located inside the appliance and work together to produce electricity. The rotor consists of the rotating parts of the generator, while the stator comprises all the nonrotating parts. When the generator is in operation, it’s to be expected that these parts collect contaminants, including dust and debris. 

Over time, a buildup of these elements results in the formation of grime. When there’s too much grime in the rotor and stator, the generator won’t be able to function as efficiently as it is expected. 

A generator works from the rotor and stator, two parts located inside your generator, working together to create electricity.  When in operation, it’s typical for rotors and stators to collect dust, debris, and other contaminants.

If you allow your generator to build up too much grime, your rotor and stator won't generate energy as efficiently as possible. It’s also likely you’ll burn the two parts out faster than average.

To eliminate debris, you must clean the air filters in your generator. And, regardless of how often you use your generator, it’s recommended to check the air filter for dust weekly.

If you live in a particularly dusty area, increase the number of times you check your generator. These precautions will ensure your generator is ready to use when you need it most.

Change the Oil On Schedule

Changing the oil on your generator is one of the most essential ways to extend its life and ensure that it is performing in top condition at all times. How often you change the oil depends on a few factors, including the generator’s brand, how frequently you use the equipment, and the environment in which it is operated.

As a rule of thumb, you should change the oil on your generator every 50 to 200 hours of use, whether it’s a petrol generator or otherwise. This will depend on the factors stated earlier. Newer models may not require more frequent changes than older ones since they burn cleaner. However, if you use your generator in a dusty environment or one that is full of contaminants, you may need to replace your oil more frequently.

Moreover, if your home generator is newly purchased, it is highly recommended that you perform an oil change after the first eight hours of operation. It’s not impossible for the oil to have been contaminated during manufacturing and shipping, and changing the oil shortly after using it for the first time will help eliminate those contaminants.

Avoid Using Old Fuel

Did you know that the fuel for home generators needs to be replaced after each use? Most homeowners do not realize this. When you clean out the fuel tank after using the generator, you are guaranteeing that your generator is running on clean and efficient fuel all the time. This will not only ensure a smooth operation of your generator, but it will also protect your equipment from damage.

Instead of reusing old fuel, have a fresh batch of fuel ready to use the next time you need to fire up your generator.

Turn It On At Least Once a Month

A home backup generator is so-called for a reason—you only get to use it as a backup precaution. As such, it could go months or even years without being turned on and operated. While good storage of your generator can make a world of difference, keeping it untouched for extended periods may not be a good idea.

You don’t want to find yourself in a power outage one day and discover that your generator won’t start when you fire it up. To avoid such a problem, ensure that your generator is lubricated by oil. If applicable, charge the batteries. Finally, ensure that the carburettor is functioning properly.

You can do all these by starting up your generator every thirty days for several minutes. Doing so will ensure that your generator will be able to provide you with the power you need whenever you need it.

Proper Storage is Everything

All the previous tips will be to no avail if you fail to store your generator properly after each use. In addition to using fresh fuel, emptying the tank, and cleaning the generator after each use, be sure to store your home generator in a clean, cool, and dry environment. This will help reduce the chances of rusting and will extend the life of your equipment.

To extend the life of your portable generator, you’ll need to take a few precautions after each use. In addition to emptying the fuel tank, double-check that the fuel lines are also empty. Store your equipment in a cool, dry place to decrease rusting, and extend its life.

Get Your Generator Replacement Parts Only at Jono & Johno

Proper maintenance will extend the life of your home generator, but replacing some of the parts is inevitable. When that time comes, be sure to get your replacement parts only at Jono & Johno. At Jono & Johno, you can have access to Honda generator parts and Chinese generator parts in Australia with the quality you can trust.

Not only will you get quality generator parts, but you will also receive professional advice on which specific part to purchase for your home generator. If you need to purchase generator replacement parts soon, just visit Jono & Johno and get the parts you need.