Generator maintenance
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Generator maintenance
You know, I was just talking to a coworker about the "compound", multiple generators, ect., when I got to thinking....
(The "Survival" thread probably didn't help...)
Anyway, I have 2 generators at the house. A Generac 5000 watt, and a Coleman 3500.
The Coleman is in the basement, wired to a transfer switch, all done properly.
The Generac is in the garage, just in case, got a heck of a deal on it.
My question is, other than basic engine maintenance that you would perform on any small engine than spends most of it's time dormant, is there anything else I should be doing to keep these things in shape.
I start them both about once a month, keep Stabil in the tanks, oil changes every 6 months, keep em both clean & dust free, break arms of any friends/neighbors that eyeball generators....
I can't really think of anything else, but I'd be a little irritated if I went to fire one of these suckers up, and got no juice out of it, just to come here and have somebody say... "Well, I could have told ya that.."
Besides, how often do I actually have something worth starting a thread?
(The "Survival" thread probably didn't help...)
Anyway, I have 2 generators at the house. A Generac 5000 watt, and a Coleman 3500.
The Coleman is in the basement, wired to a transfer switch, all done properly.
The Generac is in the garage, just in case, got a heck of a deal on it.
My question is, other than basic engine maintenance that you would perform on any small engine than spends most of it's time dormant, is there anything else I should be doing to keep these things in shape.
I start them both about once a month, keep Stabil in the tanks, oil changes every 6 months, keep em both clean & dust free, break arms of any friends/neighbors that eyeball generators....
I can't really think of anything else, but I'd be a little irritated if I went to fire one of these suckers up, and got no juice out of it, just to come here and have somebody say... "Well, I could have told ya that.."
Besides, how often do I actually have something worth starting a thread?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 655
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From: Miami
I have two generators as well. Living in Florida with four hurricanes last year, they have paid for themelves many times. I will admit I am much lazier than you... I start mine one month prior to hurricane season. At the end of the season I drain all gas (if any) from the tanks. Then I run the generators, and get all the fuel out of the lines and carb. I work the choke back and forth to keep it running. When she finally dies, i just drop the bowl and drain any remaining fuel. The next year, fill'em up and usaully the second or third pull, there running.
Al
Al
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Good post. 
I worked As a maintenance electrician for a hospital for 12 years. It had 3 - 285 kva Cat generators in it that I was held responsible for to keep in top operating condition. In all of my PM programs I used on them, I still learned something very valuable from our generator contractor ( and its required by JAHCO anyway) and it rings very true. Generators need to be put under their anticipated "load" periodically to assure proper function. That way they will be brought up to full rpm and full kva output. If there is a failure or weakness in the system it will ususally show up then. Finding a problem while running it in a load "test mode" is always better than having a problem with it while it is running during a outage.
I worked As a maintenance electrician for a hospital for 12 years. It had 3 - 285 kva Cat generators in it that I was held responsible for to keep in top operating condition. In all of my PM programs I used on them, I still learned something very valuable from our generator contractor ( and its required by JAHCO anyway) and it rings very true. Generators need to be put under their anticipated "load" periodically to assure proper function. That way they will be brought up to full rpm and full kva output. If there is a failure or weakness in the system it will ususally show up then. Finding a problem while running it in a load "test mode" is always better than having a problem with it while it is running during a outage.
Last edited by Greg 79 f150; Jan 12, 2005 at 06:24 PM.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Ardmore,OK
very good point greg, the only thing i can add is that by running them every month instead of storing for the "OFF" season is the drying out of gaskets and o-rings on carbs and such(from learning the hard way)
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