As storms and major weather events become more common, so does the experience of extended power outages. When it comes to ensuring uninterrupted power during even the most extended outages, a well-maintained generator can make all the difference. Installing the generator of your choice isn’t enough to keep the energy flowing, though; generator maintenance is a vital part of ensuring its performance and longevity. Whether you’re in Waukesha or the surrounding areas, these maintenance practices will keep your generator in peak operating condition.
5 Generator Maintenance Practices
- Regular Inspections: Routine inspection is one of the most vital aspects of generator maintenance. Carried out by a professional electrician, these inspections are the perfect opportunity to assess the overall condition, electrical connections, and other critical components. Thorough inspections, by design, can ensure early detection of potential issues before they become full-blown problems; they also allow for more timely repairs or adjustments.
- Fuel Quality and Filters: Maintaining clean, high-quality fuel is another crucial part of keeping your generator running. Ensure you’re monitoring fuel levels regularly while storing the fuel in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated area. Also, cleaning and replacing fuel filters, as the manufacturer recommends, is the best way to prevent clogs while ensuring a smooth fuel flow throughout the system.
- Lubrication and Cooling: When it comes to longevity and performance, friction is the enemy. Properly lubricating your generator’s engine is absolutely crucial. It’s equally important to check the oil levels regularly and to change that oil in keeping with the manufacturer’s guidelines. This is a great time to inspect the cooling system, including the radiator, hoses, and coolant levels, to stave off overheating issues, which can damage your generator.
- Battery Maintenance: Reliable operation means proper battery care for your generator, too. The battery should be regularly inspected for any signs of corrosion, leaks, or loose connections. Having the terminals cleaned and checked for proper tightness and the battery tested periodically goes a long way toward keeping your generator running smoothly.
- Exercise Your Generator: Part of keeping your generator in fighting shape is to run it on a load, even when it’s not in use, to prevent fuel system issues and keep the engine in great condition. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the most appropriate exercise cycle and ideal duration.
Proper care and generator maintenance are the key to fostering a long and highly productive lifespan. You want your generator to be capable of keeping the power flowing in the worst of conditions, and all that typically requires is a little bit of TLC from time to time.
Why Generator Maintenance Matters
Waukesha, WI, and the surrounding area truly experience a wide range of potentially severe weather events. Heavy thunderstorms and high winds can cause damage to the power grid that can take days or, in emergency conditions, even weeks to repair. Having a generator is very important in a region as prone to blizzards and heavy snowfall as it is to severe thunderstorms and wind events.
As you well know, power outages can happen unexpectedly and disrupt daily life to varying degrees, from complicating a few hours of your day to making a real mess out of a week or so. During these moments, having a generator becomes a life-changing asset. You can keep essential appliances, lights, heating, and cooling systems running smoothly; more importantly, you can maintain medical equipment functionality for any loved ones who rely on a consistent power supply for electrical health-management devices.
Still, your generator won’t be much help if it’s not up and running in your moment of need. Ensure your backup plan is always ready for long-term outages, and you can weather just about any storm. Contact 3 Phase Power today to learn about generators, generator maintenance, and what you need to ensure continued energy access in almost any emergency.
