Generator Maintenance 101: 7 Tips to Reduce Costly Electrical Repair in Keller, TX
A backup generator is important particularly for companies that want to ensure an uninterruptible supply of power. Power blackouts negatively affect the employee productivity, which will ultimately hit the company’s bottom line. People living in areas that are subject to extreme weather conditions should also consider installing a backup generator.
Proper maintenance and care of the generators is important to ensure that they continue delivering optimal performance for years. Just like it’s important to take care of your health by taking preventive measures such as eating healthy and exercising, a generator also requires proper maintenance and care. Taking care in operating the generator can translate into serious cost savings as you don’t have to pay top dollars on electrical repair in Keller, TX. There will be less need of an electrical service in Keller, TX when proper preventive measures are taken.
In this article, we will share seven care and maintenance tips that can ensure that the generator lasts for a long time and requires less frequent calls to a professional electrician in Keller, TX for repairs.
1. Ensure Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is important for smooth operation of the generator. Placing the generator in an enclosed space will make it heat up easily. This will result in accelerated wear and tear of the system. Also, it increases the risk of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Indoor places such as garage and basement are not suitable for generator. Instead, you should consider placing the unit outside where there is proper ventilation. Proper ventilation will extend the life of the unit and reduce the need for calling an electrician for electrical service in Keller, TX.
2. Avoid Overloading the Unit
Keep in mind that generators have two ratings. The first is the general rating in watts. This is the output wattage that is recommended when the generator is being used for extended periods. There is another rating known as the starting or maximum watts. This wattage is for accommodating appliances such as electric motor, furnace, or fridge that consume extra power when starting up. A fridge, for instance, takes four times the standard wattage when starting up. This wattage is implied with maximum or starting rating.
You should not think that the generator can run on the maximum rating on a continuous basis. If you put on the extra load that is equivalent to the maximum power rating, the generator might run for a few minutes and then break down. To avoid costly electrical service in Keller, TX of the generator, you should know the correct load capacity that it can handle on a continuous basis.
3. Regularly Clean and Replace the Air Filter
You should have the air filter cleaned by a professional electrician in Keller, TX. Regular cleaning or replacement of the filter will ensure optimum operation of the generator. It will reduce the need of a costly electrical repair in Keller, TX. Ideally, the filter should be replaced after 100 hours of operation or three months. Also, it should be cleaned by an experienced electrician in Keller, TX every 25 hours.
4. Inspect and Replace Generator Oil
The generator oil also needs to be replaced every 50 to 60 hours or after three months. If you do not replace the oil regularly, it can literally toast your generator. Consider calling a professional to replace the oil; otherwise, it could turn into a messy affair. Also, it’s wise to buy spare oil. You do not want to run around the town in case the generator breaks down in the middle of a prolonged power outage because it requires an oil replacement.
5. Build an Enclosure
While it’s recommended to use the generator outside, you should not expose the unit to rain. Even a slight rainfall can damage critical electrical component inside the unit for which you may have to pay a pretty penny. It is recommended that you either install an enclosure or a cover for the unit. You should ask the manufacturer, sales person, or local electrician in Keller, TX about the suitable enclosure for the generator.
6. Avoid Operating on Low Fuel
Having the generator run on low fuel can damage the unit. The generator will keep on generator power in case of low fuel. In such a situation, the electrical load will drain magnetic field from the coils inside the unit. Overtime the generator will fail to generate power for which you will need to pay for costly repairs. To avoid damage to the unit, you must avoid running the unit on low fuel. Also, you should remove the load when turning off the unit to avoid any damage. Moreover, you should avoid putting stale fuel as it can damage the critical component inside the generator.
7. Power the Generator Every Three Months
It’s recommended that you run the backup generator after every three months for about half an hour. This will ensure that the important component inside the unit don’t rust due to not being used for a long time. Also, if the generator uses a battery to start, operating the unit after every three months will properly charge the battery. The last thing that you want is to turn on the backup generator and find that it fails to start due to being left unattended for a long time.
8. Avoid Backfeeding
Some people don’t like extension cords run around the house. So, they ‘backfeed’ power into the wiring system of the house. However, backfeeding is not recommended as it is not only illegal but dangerous as well.
You may find a number of articles online explaining the benefits of using a dual male ended extension cord to back feed the power into the wiring system of the home. But this is a terrible idea you should never perform the action inside the house. Instead of backfeeding to avoid having cords run around the house, you should install a transfer switch.
You should contact Tioga Electrical, Electric and Gas for professional installation and electrical service in Keller, TX of backup generators.