Are you one of those people that relies on a standby generator to back up the power to your homes
during potential power outages? Just like the engine in your car, your home generator requires regular
attention and maintenance to make sure it works when you need it to. We’ve outlined a few things you
can do to maintain your generator below.
Regardless of whether you have an electric generator or a diesel generator, your generator system
should run a test cycle at least once a week for roughly 20 minutes. This cycle will happen at the same
time every week after you set the day and time, and is a vital part of preventative maintenance for your
generator. If no alarms or warnings are present, you’re good to go!
About once a month and after any time your generator has run for an extended period, you should look
to make sure that:
- The unit and its surroundings are clear of debris and there are no rodents or other pests
trying to make a home out of your generator. - Check the oil level of your unit. This should only be done when the unit isn’t running. If it’s time to check the oil, but your unit has been actively running, wait at least 10 minutes after shutting it down before checking the oil level.
- Check that the coolant levels are where they need to be.
- If it’s a diesel generator, check the fuel level and the fuel/water separators. Be sure to drain water and add more fuel as appropriate.
- Inspect the battery and its housing for any signs of corrosion or leakage. Make sure to check there are no loose wires and that the terminals and wiring are both free of any damage or wear-and-tear. Lastly, take the time to verify that the battery charger is working as intended.
While there are indeed plenty of things you can do on your own time to increase the life expectancy of your generator, some of the more dangerous and complicated aspects of maintaining your unit are best left to the professional technicians at CMC Service Experts. When you schedule your generator maintenance with us, we take care of many for you, like:
- Changing the oil and oil filter
- Changing the air and fuel filters
- Replacing the spark plugs
- Fuel testing
- Flushing the cooling system as needed
- Inspecting the battery, cables, and other wirings throughout your unit
