TickYouOff
Sign in
Back
⚡

Portable Generator Maintenance Checklist

Medium 23 items · 2 hours
testuser's avatar
testuser Published 6 days ago
Home

A portable generator that sat in the garage all summer may not start during the first winter outage. Old gasoline is a common cause. Fuel left in the carburetor for months turns gummy, and an engine that ran fine in spring can need its carburetor cleaned before it will run again.

Work through this list in October or November, before the first storm, and keep a printed copy with the generator. The first half is the engine and fuel. The second half is the setup at the house, which is where most of the danger is.

One rule has no exception. The exhaust carries carbon monoxide, a poison gas you cannot see or smell, so the generator runs outdoors and well away from the house. A garage with the door open is still indoors.

Progress
0 / 23
  1. Find the owner's manual, or download it using the model number — The oil type, service intervals and wattage ratings are all in it.
  2. Search the model number for recalls on cpsc.gov
  3. Drain gasoline that has sat in the tank untreated since spring — Stale fuel makes the engine hard to start and leaves deposits in the carburetor.
  4. Fill up with fresh gasoline mixed with fuel stabilizer — Run the engine outdoors for a few minutes afterwards so treated fuel reaches the carburetor.
  5. Check the oil level, and change the oil if it is due — Many models shut themselves off when the oil runs low, which looks like a fault in the middle of an outage.
  6. Clean or replace the air filter
  7. Pull the spark plug and replace it if it is worn or fouled
  8. Charge the battery if it has electric start — Keep the pull cord working too, in case the battery is flat when you need it.
  9. Look over the fuel line and tank for cracks or leaks
  10. Start it outdoors and run it with something plugged in — A work light or space heater shows the outlets deliver power, which an idling engine does not prove.
  11. List what you want to run in an outage and add up the watts — A fridge or well pump draws much more for a few seconds as its motor starts, so count starting watts as well as running watts.
  12. Work out how your furnace would get power — A gas furnace still needs electricity for its blower and controls, and it is usually hard-wired. A transfer switch or interlock is the safe way to run it from a generator.
  13. Never plug the generator into a wall outlet — This backfeeds power into the utility lines, where it can electrocute line workers, and it can damage your wiring. Have a licensed electrician fit a transfer switch or interlock instead.
  14. Check extension cords are outdoor rated and heavy enough for the load — Throw out any cord with cut insulation or a missing ground pin.
  15. Choose the spot where it will run — Outdoors on level ground, at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust aimed away from doors, windows and vents.
  16. Plan how to keep it dry in rain or snow — Use a cover made for running generators. Never run it inside a shed or an enclosed porch, which trap exhaust.
  17. Test the carbon monoxide alarms on every floor — Fit one on any floor that has none. Alarms with a battery or battery backup keep working when the power is out.
  18. Store gasoline in fuel containers outside the living space — A detached shed is a better place than an attached garage.
  19. Work out how much fuel a day of running uses — The manual gives run time per tank at a stated load. Store what you need, and treat or use up stored gas so it does not go stale.
  20. Keep spare oil, a spark plug and an air filter with the generator
  21. Shut it off and let it cool before every refill — Gasoline spilled on a hot engine can catch fire.
  22. Keep a flashlight and work gloves next to it
  23. Chain it to something solid if it will run out of sight
Sign in to save
📝 My Notes