About Your Generator

Today, we are very dependent on a steady power supply. The use of electrical devices like refrigerators and computers means we can't go without power for very long or there will be serious consequences. Even so, power outages still occur. The one the US experienced in 2003 affected over 60 million people and was the largest outage to occur in US history. California recently experienced a wave of rolling blackouts. A New Orleans without power descended in chaos in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
To counter this, many institutions and individuals have bought their own power sources in the form of electrical generators.

Types of Generators

 The first generators were used in industry and later on to provide electrical power to homes. The past few years have seen the proliferation of engine-generator sets also known as gensets or simply generators for a variety of purposes. There are gasoline generators, diesel generators, liquefied petroleum gas generators, and propane generators; there are even human-powered generators, such as those found in some types of radios and the small sets found in bicycle lights.
 
Standby generators - These are large, often permanent units that are stationed outside a home, office building, warehouse, shopping mall, and the like to provide backup power in case the mains electricity switches off. These sets are plugged into the main electric lines and can sense when a power interruption has occurred. They automatically start and provide emergency power generating a few seconds after coming online.


Portable generators - These are designed to be transported whether on a cart, trailer or by hand to provide power where there is no utility power supply, as in campsites and construction sites. Their output is sufficient to run appliances such as pumps, refrigerators, lights, radios, and televisions, and the larger ones can be used to power sound systems, high-intensity lights and parked aircraft. The smaller generators typically use gasoline as fuel, whereas the larger ones, capable of providing up to 1,000 kilowatts or more of electricity, use either gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, or propane.
 
Commercial generators - In areas where the power supply is intermittent or lacking as in Third World provincial areas, generators can also be set up to provide additional power.


Keep it ready to run
Be sure your generator will work in an emergency

Having a backup generator is pointless if it isn't ready to work during your next emergency. These maintenance steps will ensure that your built-in stationary generator or a portable model supplies the power you need whenever you need it.


Keep your generator clean, dry, and free of leaves and other lawn debris to help prevent overheating. Use a damp cloth to wipe exterior surfaces, a stiff brush to loosen caked-on engine dirt or oil, a shop vacuum for loose dirt and debris, and low-pressure air to blow away dirt. Don't use a hose, which can force water into the fuel system. And keep at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides for adequate cooling and access to controls.


On a gasoline-powered generator, prevent gum from forming in the fuel system as the generator sits by adding stabilizer (about $5 for 25 gallons) to the fuel tank. Run the engine for several minutes to circulate the stabilizer. Once stabilized, fuel can be safely stored for up to a year. If you use the generator only for emergencies, don't store fuel in the tank, since the generator may sit idle for more than a year.


Be sure there's enough engine oil. Many generators shut down automatically to protect the engine if the level gets too low. To keep yours protected, check the oil level whenever you add gasoline by pulling the dipstick or filler plug. On models that run on propane or natural gas, check the level at intervals specified in your owner's manual. And keep a couple of quarts of oil on hand for emergencies.


Change the engine oil, carburetor air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug regularly according to the owner's manual.