When you purchase an emergency generator or install a transfer switch, you should expect the lifespan of the unit to deliver as much as 30,000 hours of operational capacity. Since your generator is designed to be a backup power source for the home, the unit can be around for decades to come.

But only if you implement routine maintenance to keep the generator in peak working condition. Regularly scheduled upkeep is the key to ensuring that you have a reliable source of backup power should your home suffer a power outage of any duration. This upkeep should be in accordance with the amount of wear and tear the generator endures.

Maintaining Your Generator

The best way to be sure that your backup generator is ready when you need it is to be responsible with maintenance. This means you need to check all fluid levels, fill them when they get low, consider the number of hours the generator has been operated, and take the surrounding environment of where the unit is located into account.

This goes to air quality. If your generator is in a region where the outdoor temperatures are mild to moderate and the air is fresh, without contaminants and other airborne particles, you will need to do less in the way of maintenance than if the unit is operated most often in extreme temperatures with high humidity and bad air quality.

TroubleshootA Generator

But no matter how much maintenance and upkeep you perform, there will come a time when you experience some problems. If you’ve been diligent about your maintenance, then you should have fewer of them over time, but let’s face it, everything breaks down at some point. The hope is you’re not dealing with too serious an issue. These are just a few of the most common generator problems that you might face and the ways to solve them:

Battery Trouble

Your battery is one of the essential components to the operational functionality of your generator. So, you want to be sure your battery is up to snuff and your connections, chargers, and vital cables are in peak condition and properly connected.

Generator Won’t Start

Again, check your battery and make sure it’s got juice. If the battery isn’t the problem, examine your main control switch and confirm that it’s set to “auto” instead of “reset” or “off”. If your main control isn’t in the right position, your generator simply will not start.

Fluid Leaks

Generators rely on all kind of fluids in order to run properly. They are very much like your automobile in that respect. Fuel is an essential fluid, as are oil and coolant. Without any of these in the unit you can’t expect the generator to run successfully, so it’s very important you prevent these things from leaking out of the machine. Good maintenance will ensure that your fluids are at the proper level and all leaks detected before they can allow the liquids to escape and potentially damage the unit.

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