Investing in a generator is the perfect way to tackle unexpected power outages. Portable inverter generators are convenient and you can take one even to the remotest camping site.
No matter what type of generator you use, you must run maintenance checks to avoid it from breaking down when you need it the most.
This post will talk about 7 commonly encountered generator problems and how to fix them.
1. Pest Damage
Mostly, rodents play the villain here. During winters, they look for a warm place to stay and find their way to your generator's enclosure.
Their nests are dusty and clog your air filter. But it doesn't stop there.
They chew on the generator's wires and their razor sharp teeth show no mercy. As a side fact, they constantly chew to prevent their upper teeth from growing too long.
To prevent rodents from entering into the enclosure, I recommend placing rodent traps around your enclosure. Some clever ones may still manage to get through. So, place a trap inside the enclosure too.
Once you get rid of the rodents, have a professional check for any internal damage.
Sometimes, pest damage can be costly. So, take precautions before it's late.
2. Block Heater
Your generator doesn't love a cold start. This is when the engine block heater comes to the picture. It warms up the coolant so that the oil pressure increases to a point where it can provide sufficient lubrication. This reduces the wear and tear of the engine.
By preventing unnecessary damages to your engine, the block heater extends the life of your machine.
As a part of the maintenance, you should check the block heater once a week. Turn off the generator and locate the block heater. It is a cylindrical device beside the engine. If it's cold, replace it with a brand new one.
A generator (especially a diesel-powered generator) cannot start with a failed block heater. Store a spare one in your kit to handle its sudden breakdowns.
3. Clogged Filters
Fuel alone cannot run your generator. It needs enough air to burn and to do its job efficiently.
But the air isn't pure. It needs to go through a filter before it can power up the fuel. Over time, the air filter can get clogged with the dirt particles. This clogged filter acts as a barrier between the air and the fuel.
In such conditions, the engine will consume more fuel but give out less power. If you're looking to cut down fuel consumption, you may want to take a look at Res Marty's article on the best inverter generators.
Clean the air filter once in a while with warm water. Dry it with compressed air. If it's very dirty, soak it in a mild detergent for a few minutes. Replace the air filter yearly.
4. Overfilled Fuel Tank
Let's talk about some fuel rules first.
Before refilling the generator's fuel tank, wait for it to cool down completely. Never try to refill when the engine is running. A little mistake could cause a huge explosion.
Do not store the generator with a filled tank. Empty the fuel till the last drop and cover the generator properly before sending it to rest. Store extra fuel but not in the tank.
When refilling, stay within the generator's fuel tank capacity. Since fuel expands when burning, an overfilled tank may leak the fuel onto the engine or the air filter and the results can be dangerous.
This rule applies to engine oil as well. Always give room for fuel/oil expansion.
5. No Residual Magnetism
Also known as remanence, residual magnetism is the magnetic field remaining in the generator's core when it is turned off. Like the spark plug, the property of residual magnetism too plays a crucial role in starting the generator.
But this could be lost when the generator is run without a load for a long time. It can also happen when the generator is connected to a load when not running.
To restore the magnetic field, turn off the generator and connect the exciter field to a 12 volt battery.
Remove F+ and F- leads from the voltage regulator. Connect F+ to the battery's positive pole. Bring the F- in touch with the negative pole for not more than 10 seconds. Put back the regulator's leads.
6. Battery Failure
Even in fuel-powered generators, batteries act as the powerhouse. It also handles the voltage fluctuations and protects the delicate components of the generator.
Ensure the battery sits tight in its place. Oxidation can cause corrosion on the terminals. So, protect them with a layer of battery-terminal grease.
Check the battery's electrolyte every month and use only distilled water .
Run a voltage test and if it seems to drop below 12V, recharge the battery for 24-48 hours. Your generator's package includes a battery charger. If not, you can buy a portable charger for the battery.
7. Wet Stacking
Wet stacking refers to the accumulation of dirty moisture in the generator's exhaust. You can see dark liquid dripping from it.
This can happen due to several reasons including incomplete burning of the fuel and letting the generator sit unused for very long.
You can prevent this problem by exercising your generator with a load every week.
Do not run your generator with an overfilled or underfilled tank. Drain the fuel completely after every use.
Avoid running the generator with less than 60% of its load capacity as it can stack up unused carbon from half-burnt fuel.
Conclusion:
Understanding about these issues will help you not only to fix them but also prevent them.
If you like this post, don't forget to share it with your friends who might find these tips useful.
Author Bio:
Res Marty is a 26-year-old currently living in beautiful Lucerne, in the heart of Switzerland. Apart from traveling the world, playing tennis and soccer, his biggest passion is hiking and camping. Through his website, he likes to provide the best information about hiking trails and equipment.
