The sky turns a bruised shade of purple, the wind begins to howl, and suddenly your house plunges into total darkness. You hurry out to the garage with a flashlight, and you pull on the cord for your portable generator with all your might. However, nothing happens. This is a situation that many homeowners encounter since these machines sit dormant for some time. The good news is that the problem is fixable with some troubleshooting tips and professional help. Here are some common generator problems homeowners face and solutions for fixing them.
The Curse of Stale Gasoline
Stale gasoline is one of the chief reasons that a generator will not start. After approximately 30 days, the fuel can start to break down, especially if you are not using a fuel stabilizer. After degrading enough, it turns into a gummy substance that will clog up the engine. If you currently have stale fuel sitting in the tank, your engine may cough; however, it will not continue to run.
Before the stormy season arrives, drain out all the old fuel. Spray down the carburetor with a special cleaner to remove any lingering residue. Then, fill up your tank with fresh gasoline, and add a fuel stabilizer.
Battery Blues and Electrical Issues
If your generator has an electrical start button that does not work when you press it, you likely have a dead battery. Since these batteries are small, they lose charge quickly, especially if you do not have them hooked up to a trickle charger when not in use. You can start your generator with a manual recoil cord if yours has one, or you can power it up with a jump pack. After your engine has been running for some time, it will charge the battery. However, if your battery is more than three years old, you may need a new one. You should also check the spark plug because a blackened or “fouled” plug will prevent the engine from igniting the fuel, even if the battery is perfectly healthy.
Airflow and Oil Safety Sensors
Now, there are situations when a generator will start up and run fine for some time, and then it will shut off. Low oil levels or a clogged air filter may be the culprit. Modern units have sensors that will shut the engine down to keep the machine from overheating and the metal components from melting together. Check the oil with a dipstick, and add more if the levels are low. Also, change the filter if yours is dirty.
Restoring the Flow of Electricity
Sometimes, your engine may run just fine, but the outlets on the machine will not provide power for the essentials. Before assuming the alternator is shot, check the circuit breaker switch to see if it is in the “on” position. Sometimes, this switch trips when you try to run too many things at once. If you turn the switch back on and nothing happens, you must contact a professional to help you find and fix the problem.
Do not forget to schedule a professional inspection once each year. This provides you with an opportunity to make sure your equipment is in top shape so that it operates well when you need it. For generator inspections and repairs in Tucson, AZ, contact the team at Pride of Tucson.