Colder temperatures, frosty mornings, piles of snow on the sides of my driveway and a sore back tell me its winter. But how do you prepare a generator for winter whether you live in a snowy climate, a place that sees the occasional freeze, or maybe you just don’t have plans to use it for a couple of months? Whether you have a small portable, larger worksite or food-truck-sized generator or a full home standby, the following are basic guidelines to help you protect and get the most out of your generator this time of year.
Storage Is Key!
Most home standby generators come with a weather-proof enclosure. But most of the big generator manufacturers like Cummins, Kohler and Generac also offer “cold” weather rated generators that are designed to get you through sleet, snow and ice. These models typically have no problem running in temperatures down to 0 degrees. Cummins cold weather package (RS20ACE) or cold weather kit add on will make a generator usable down to -40 F. Kohler and Generac do not make cold weather packages, but do offer cold weather accessories for below zero temps.
Larger portable units with external frames like the Generac GP9200E or the Duromax XP15000E need a little more TLC when it comes to cold weather. These units should be stored in an easy-to-access area like an insulated shed or garage when not in use. A cover to keep them warm and dry is key, but we can’t stress enough, they mustn’t be run in these storage areas as any running generator needs to be outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Small portables like the Honda EU2200i to power a campsite, tailgate party or a few lights when a power outage hits, should be treated in one of two ways in the winter. IF you don’t plan to use it, then it should also be stored in a warm, dry place and treated with a fuel stabilizer. IF you still would like to have it handy for blackouts and extreme weather outages, then running it regularly is a good idea to keep oil and fuel fresh and moving. Again, store it in a dry place and use it periodically.
Keeping Up With Maintenance
Check, monitor and change the oil according to the guidelines in your unit’s owner manual. Typically, a manufacturer will have specifications for not only the type of oil, but also the life expectancy of the oil in your generator. It will also highlight the timeline as to how often the oil should be changed. And run the generator routinely just to keep it humming!
Fuel Facts And Tips
Did you know gasoline begins to break down and deteriorate with time? Experts say standard gasoline shows signs of breaking down at 30 days and diesel also will breakdown, but it’s a bit more stable. Given time though, diesel fuel does develop sludge and sediment and is more prone to problems in cold temperatures.
Always used fresh fuel to avoid problems and use a stabilizer like VP Racing’s Madditive Fuel Stabilizer with Ethanol Shield. Stabilizers are key to helping your fuel last longer while extending the life of your engine. Stabilizer is key to engines that will sit all winter.
Inspect Your Generator Often
As you should with your car, a routine inspection is good practice. A standby generator should be inspected often as you use it with power outages and perform tests, but portables that are used less should be checked frequently. Even more important, portables that might have sat covered for 4 months when you finally get out into the great outdoors again—they should be a given a checkup with fresh fuel and oil each season. Also look for any fuel line damaged etc.
With time passing, there’s also the opportunity for rust and corrosion to form. Check all wires and the sparkplug for damage or decay. Animals like mice or rats might have nibbled on wires or even your younger ones might have whacked the unit when getting something out of storage etc.
Bottom line, don’t wait until you need it to make sure its running right! Make sure oil, fuel, and filters look great to ensure that your generator is lubricated and purrs like a kitten or you run the risk of it not working efficiently, or not running at all.
Go The Extra Mile
Lastly, what good is all this preparation on a unit you might not use all winter if you don’t at least give it a quick inspection a few times each off season? Regular maintenance and checkups will help you discover a problem before it becomes a nightmare.
To ensure winterizing has worked, run your unit for five minutes to ensure that it’s fully operational. Take this time to double check any of the mentioned concerns and be assured that your backup plan is in good condition and ready to roll in the event of an outage.
Generators have come a long way. Portable generators can power a few appliances right out of the box, and home standby units offer peace of mind while the power grid fails all around us. The power is tailored to a home’s size and power requirements and is a failsafe for power outages while you’re away from home. But as generators age they are only as good as the care they receive. So, follow these simple care tips to add life to your unit, comfort for your family in the event of an emergency or portable power when you need it away from home!
Expert Help
If you’re more of a hands-off kind of person, find someone in your area or neighborhood that does small engine maintenance. Ace Hardware is always great for this, or the local mom and pop lawnmower repair shop will typically handle generators too. At Generator Mart—we are always open to generator questions regarding recommending generator sizing to fit your needs, standard use, basic operation, even some trouble shooting, but we do not do maintenance at our store.