Generator maintenance

Why it matters more on a well

In a house on a well, a generator that fails to start means no water as well as no lights. Most failures come from things a service visit catches: a weak battery, old oil, a clogged filter or a loose connection. Booking service before the stormy season gives the unit its best chance.

A typical service visit

Each brand has its own checklist. Most visits cover:

• Battery test and replacement when weak
• Oil and filter change on the manufacturer's schedule
• Air filter and spark plugs
• Transfer switch operation under load
• Fuel line, regulator and tank connection checked by a qualified technician
• Controller fault history and exercise settings
• Enclosure cleared of leaves, nests and debris

Rural extras

Wooded lots bring falling leaves, pine needles and animals looking for shelter. Mice and other small animals can nest in an enclosure and chew wiring. Snow drifts can block intake and exhaust. A technician checks for all of these, and you can help by keeping the area around the unit clear year-round.

How often

Plan on at least one visit a year, or more if the generator runs many hours. After a long outage, book a check, since several days of running uses up much of the service interval. Your manual lists the exact schedule.

What you can do

Keep the unit clear of snow and debris, notice whether the weekly self-test runs, and watch for warning lights. Check the propane tank gauge before storm season and schedule a delivery if it is low. Leave the engine, fuel and wiring to a technician.

Keeping a service log

A short log helps more than people expect. Note each service date, what was replaced, when the battery was changed and how many hours the unit ran in each long outage. Many controllers show total run hours on the screen. A technician can use that history to spot a pattern, it helps with warranty questions, and a buyer will want to see it if you sell. Ask the technician to flag parts that are near the end of their life so you can replace them in a calm month rather than in the middle of a storm.

Questions homeowners ask