| When you purchased your emergency power | | | | location for exhaust/fume dangers, moisture and |
| generator, you intended for it to be there when | | | | any other potential hazards. I could write a book |
| you needed it most. The worst possible thing that | | | | about the times I've heard from generator users |
| can happen is the power goes out and your | | | | who attempted to start their generator during an |
| generator fails to work as designed. Know this; it | | | | outage only to find out that the unit was |
| happens! And when it does, it usually always | | | | waterlogged, had deflated flat tires or some other |
| occurs at the worst possible moments. Like in the | | | | damaged that affected it's performance. When it |
| middle of blizzard or during a snowstorm that has | | | | comes to storing your emergency power |
| hindered everyone from traveling. In times like | | | | generator, take NO chances! |
| those, your generator has to be as dependable as | | | | CONSUMER ALERT: Certain generators come with |
| the Rock of Gibraltar. Here's the good news; you | | | | a fuel valve; make sure it's in the OFF position. If |
| can avoid those mishaps by addressing these | | | | you leave it in the ON position, the gasoline could |
| common mistakes. | | | | seep into the engine crankcase and dilute the |
| Mistake #1 - Using Cheap Gasoline | | | | engine oil, thus reducing the lubrication properties |
| In this economy, the first reaction for most | | | | of the oil and causing severe engine damage. |
| consumers is to go cheap. However, when it | | | | Mistake #5 - Not Having Enough Fuel In Storage |
| comes your emergency power generator, cheap | | | | This mistake leaves more people in the dark and |
| is not the answer. Remember, you're taking about | | | | cold than you can ever imagine. The purpose of |
| providing back up power in the event of a power | | | | having an emergency power generator is to |
| outage. You cannot afford for your generator to | | | | provide back up power during an outage. But |
| run sporadically in such an event. Almost all high | | | | without fuel, your generator won't provide ANY |
| performance fuel-efficient generators are | | | | power. A good percentage of people don't |
| designed to burn unleaded gasoline with an octane | | | | stockpile any fuel, let alone enough. The general |
| rating of 86 or higher. Use anything less and you | | | | rule of thumb is 24 to 32 gallons of fuel. This |
| increase deposit build-up on the spark plugs, spark | | | | allows you enough latitude in the event that the |
| arrestors, valves and on the muffler. This of | | | | outage lasts longer than anticipated. |
| course decreases the life of the generator and its | | | | Mistake #6 - Plugging Your Generator Directly |
| fuel efficiency. | | | | Into a Wall Outlet |
| Mistake #2 - Using Contaminated or Stale Gasoline | | | | Never attempt to power your house by plugging |
| Contaminated gasoline and stale fuel are the | | | | your emergency power generator into any wall |
| culprits in many failed starts and in sporadic | | | | outlet. This practice, known as "back-feeding" is |
| operating generators. Not only can they cause an | | | | life threatening because it can potentially |
| emergency power generator to run inefficiently, | | | | electrocute utility workers, family members and |
| they can also cause serious damage to parts and | | | | neighbors. What makes it catastrophic for |
| mechanisms. Never use contaminated or stale | | | | homeowners is the fact that this procedure |
| gasoline or a suspect oil/gas mixture. | | | | bypasses most or all of the built-in household |
| Mistake #3 Giving Your Generator Too Much | | | | circuit protection devices. |
| Time Off | | | | CONSUMER ALERT: improper connection of your |
| Your emergency power generator should be run | | | | generator could void your homeowner's insurance |
| at least once a month when not in use. I advise | | | | in case of damage, accident or injury. |
| people to simply mark their calendars "RUN | | | | Mistake #7 - Not Managing Your Wattage Usage |
| GENERATOR" and on that day run your unit. This | | | | People not familiar with generators tend to falsely |
| accomplishes a number of crucial things: it runs | | | | believe they can power their entire house with a |
| fresh gas through the carburetor, lubricates the | | | | 4500 watt generator. The trend is to just start |
| engine by circulating oil, and if you have an electric | | | | plugging devices into the emergency power |
| starter, it recharges the battery. If you give your | | | | generator and wait to see what happens. The |
| generator too much time off, it might not start | | | | danger in this is that you could possibly damage |
| because the battery has drained or the gas has | | | | the generator and lose power altogether. They |
| become contaminated with water. | | | | key here is being an informed user; know the |
| Mistake #4 - Storing Your Generator Improperly | | | | wattage limitations of your generator and never |
| Prior to storing your generator, check the storage | | | | exceed them. |