Summer Generator Checklist
A generator is a useful addition to any home. It allows you to have a backup source of power in the event of a power outage. Whether you use yours in the summer because of hurricane season or in the winter due to ice storms, there are a few things you need to check yearly on your generator. Summer is a great time to perform a checklist on your generator to make sure things are in working order. Let's take a look at a few tasks you need to do with our summer generator checklist.
Clean It
The best starting point on a summer generator checklist is cleaning. You want to avoid having any sort of buildup on a generator because it can become a safety concern and may even impact performance if the buildup is severe enough. At least once a year, you should wipe down the generator to avoid any buildup and also use this time to check for leaks that may be causing the mess in the first place.
Oil and Coolant Levels
Summer is a good time to look at fluid levels in your generator. If you run this machine without proper fluid levels, you run the risk of it overheating or malfunctioning which will shorten the overall life span and performance. You want to check the oil and coolant when the unit is turned off. If it was in use, make sure you turn it off and let it cool for about 10 minutes to allow the oil to retreat for a more accurate reading. The oil level should be kept as close to full as possible for the best performance. You should also change the oil completely after around 50-60 hours of unit operation. As for coolant, you simply need to check the level in the overflow tank to make sure there is enough, and if not, add more to top it off.
Oil and Air Filters
Another important part of our summer generator checklist is to check the filters. You should check the filters for any signs of tears or damage and replace them promptly if you find any issues. The oil filter should be changed whenever you change the oil for the best performance. The air filter should be cleaned annually since a dirty filter impacts the performance of the unit by not drawing enough clean air.
Battery
When doing your summer checklist, you should also look at the battery of the generator. This is a good time to look at the power level to make sure the battery isn't in need of replacement. You should also check for any signs of corrosion on the surface of the battery or the connectors. If you find corrosion, you need to tend to it promptly for optimal safety and performance.
Spark Plugs
Finally, you should check the spark plugs as part of your maintenance tasks. You should check these each time you do an oil change to make sure they aren't cracked or damaged in any way. In most models, spark plugs need to be replaced every 100 hours of operation.