How to keep Generator from freezing?

Do you own a portable generator and finding a way to winterize it? The following article will tell you about the ways to winterize your portable generator. Even though a person may live in a well-developed country with no load-shedding, sometimes the power shortage because of some natural disaster is inevitable.

A generator having issues during the winter season is one of the very common things. Usually, in winter, the generator’s engine takes time to start and faces difficulty in running. The reason behind this is that in winter there are high chances of the engine getting stuck or jammed. Moreover, the oil used for running a generator’s engine smoothly does not stay in its original smooth form which creates issues in the normal running of a generator.

1. Put Your Generator In a Dry And Clean Area

Everyone knows that if water gets into any electrical instrument, it is obvious that the instrument or device might break and cause damage. The same is the case with a generator. If you live in an area with heavy snowfalls in the winter season, it is important to keep your generator in an area with no snow or rain.

If water gets in the generator it will cause hurdles in the proper functioning of it. Water will damage the motor of a generator and break down the engine of a generator too. So if you are trying to winterize your generator, keep it in a dry and clean area so that it can run smoothly.

2. Check Your Generator’s Battery

Usually, in winter, the battery of a generator does not function properly. Battery plays an important role in charging the generator’s motor which makes the generator run properly. Because of the intensity of the cold, the battery usually stops working making it difficult to start the generator.

You need to keep checking your generator’s battery so that it does not get down. Check your generator’s battery after every two to three days and run your generator for a few minutes even if there is power otherwise the battery will break and you will have to either repair or replace it. Doing this will not only help you in winterizing your generator but it will make your generator last longer.

3. Use of Additional Gadgets

i. Use Of Heating Pads

The heating pad is an instrument that is used for heating the engine and a battery of a generator. The heating pad is best for the use in winter season because it helps in warming up the engine or a battery before starting the generator. This will help in running the generator smoothly.

ii. Use Of Engine Block Heater

Before reading its uses, one should know the meaning of an engine block heater. An engine block heater is also known as a water jacket heater. This heater is used to not only keep the engine or motor of a generator but also to keep the lubricant used in a generator’s motor from thickening.

One should have an engine block heater not only for cars but also for generators. Engineering block heater will keep the mobiloil or any lubricant used for the smooth running of a generator warm and prevents them from thickening. It will prevent the blockage of a generator’s engine or motor due to the cold weather.

iii. Cold Weather Kits

Cold weather kits are used in areas having very low temperatures. This kit helps in warming the battery of a generator. It starts working when the temperature drops and warms the battery of a generator optimizing the normal temperature. Usually, this kit comes with some generators but if you don’t have it, you can easily find it on amazon.

The following tips will help you to run your generator in cold weather without any hurdles. These steps will help you to prevent any damage to your generator.

1. Change Oil

To make your generator run smoothly, you should keep checking on its oil and filter. If you do not give attention to this process, a time will come when your generator will have issues running smoothly. The reason behind this is that when the same old oil keeps running in the generator it gets old with time and the viscosity of the oil starts to change. The oil starts to thicken and will not be able to lubricate the motor or engine of a generator properly.

It is important to keep a check on the oil of your generator. If you keep changing the oil of your generator, the fresh oil will keep the generator running smoothly. To winterize your generator, changing the oil of your generator is the main part.

2. Keep Your Generator Clean

Keeping your generator clean is an important part. In winter, usually the motor and engine jam and starts issue while starting. If one does not clean and tune his generator, it will stop working eventually. Most people buy generators but do not pay attention to their cleaning because of this their generators do not last long. Electrical devices require the proper cleaning which makes them long-lasting. So is the case with a generator.

3. Install Additional Gadgets

It is necessary to install some additional gadgets to warm your generator’s engine and motor. These gadgets are important to use in very cold areas where the temperature is usually in minus. Battery warmers, heating pads, cold weather kits, and engine block heaters will help you keep your generator warm so that it functions correctly.

4. Keep Check On Battery

The battery is an important part of any electrical device. It is impossible to run an electrical device without a battery. The same is the case with a generator. A generator’s battery is a very important part of it. One can not even start a generator without the battery.

Most of the time, people face problems with generators, and batteries in winter. The reason is that in the regular season, the battery is warmed and does not need time or have difficulty in starting. On the other hand, the battery becomes stuck and sometimes even dies because of which you are unable to start a generator. You should keep checking on your generator’s battery to avoid any risks of the battery getting stuck or dying.

5. Give Your Generator Time To Start

Another important tip to use your generator in winter is to give it some time to start. Some people do not give their generator time to start and keep rushing which results in damaging their generator. You should give your generator some time to start and warm its engine and motor so that it can run smoothly without stopping or making noises.

Moreover, pay attention to the proper cleaning and lubrication of your generator’s battery. If the battery is not lubricated properly, there are high chances of it drying up and resulting in breakage. Proper cleaning of the battery will not only remove the dirt but also make its surface very smooth so that it can function properly. Even if you are not using your generator for some time, keep checking on its battery. If the generator does not run its battery usually drains and dies which you will have to repair or replace.

6. Pay Attention To The Fuel

If you own a generator that runs on diesel or gasoline, it requires the proper cleaning. Do not store the fuels in your generator for a very long time in winter because it can somehow damage the generator. As the weather gets cold, the diesel will change its viscosity. So it is better to use fresh diesel which is enough for use.

There is a supplement named an anti-gel supplement that helps in the prevention of thickening of the diesel in the winter season. Using that can be a good option too. It will keep your diesel free from changing its viscosity and will not thicken.

For the generators using gasoline as fuel, instead of storing gasoline in your generator for a long time, try using fresh gasoline when needed. You can also use a fuel stabilizer for making your generator long-lasting as well as will help you run your generator in winter.

7. Lubricate Its Surface

Keeping your generator clean not only means cleaning the dust but also includes the lubrication of a generator. You should clean your generator with a dry cloth and then lubricate it to avoid the corrosion of its metal parts. Keeping it unclean and not greasing can cause rust on the surface of your generator. It will be impossible for a generator to last longer.

8. Replace The Filters

It is important to replace and empty the filters in your generator otherwise it will result in the corrosion of your generator. It is obvious that when something is kept for a very long time and is not cleaned properly, it will not only get spoiled but also damage the other parts too. The same is the case with the filters. If you do not replace the filters, it will damage your generator and even dry some parts of the generator.

9. Store In The Area With Good Ventilation

Ventilation plays a significant role in the proper functioning of a generator. If a generator is kept in a closed small room with no ventilation it will not only mess up the room but also result in its malfunctioning. With proper ventilation, the smoke produced by the generator will not stay in one place but will be replaced by the fresh air in the surrounding.

Furthermore, if there is no ventilation, there are high chances of your generator heating up and breaking. A generator can not work properly in extremely cold weather it does not work properly in very hot weather either. Excessive heating up will break its engine and motor. So place your generator in an area with proper ventilation to optimize the temperature.

10. Use A Fuel Stabilizer

A common definition of a fuel stabilizer is that it prevents the carbureter of a generator from stopping or thickening. Not only this but a fuel stabilizer makes your generator long-lasting. One should use a fuel stabilizer for their generators so that they work properly and last longer.

The tips mentioned in the above article will help you to winterize your generator and store it in cold weather. Use of the heating pads, engine block heaters, cold weather kits, and fuel stabilizers are the most common and beneficial tips for using the generator in the winter season. Proper cleaning and tuning of a generator and its parts will make them run smoothly and avoid any risk of damage. Furthermore, by following the above tips you can make your generator last longer.