Generator maintenance is one of the most imperative things to do in order to get the most from your generator. We recently wrote a blog about the importance of generator maintenance with a few tips about how and why you should maintain your portable or standby generator. Now we’d like to share our own checklist to help you maintain you generator.  When you do these things it will help the longevity of your generator.  When Norcal Electric & Pump Work walks a customer through generator issues, we use the following list to help troubleshoot potential problems:

1. Start by checking the overall condition of the generator. It might seem silly, but really, you should start by checking the overall condition of your generator. By taking a brief overview you can get a general idea for loose links, faulty wiring and other potentially corroded elements. It’s a good idea to check around the generator also to double check and make sure it’s clean. You wouldn’t want any debris getting into your generator. Did you know that debris in an alternator is one of the most common ways to damage your generator? Checking the condition of the overall generator is the first step to discovering what may or may not be wrong with your generator. It’s a great way to ensure you’ll have a lower service repair and maintenance bill.

2. Fix anything loose, stuck or fraying (wearing out).  Now that you’ve taken a good look at the overall condition it’s time to fix anything that you noticed. If there’s wiring issues or anything that looks more advanced then “basic” fixes, let us (or someone in your area) help repair your generator. When in doubt, leave it to the professionals.

3. Check the distilled water in the battery.  You don’t want to be running low here so it’s best to regularly check and make sure that you have enough distilled water for your battery.  It’s also important to check your battery, as they should be replaced every 2-3 years.

4. Change the lubricant oil and filters. Just like your car, your HVAC unit and other technologies, your generator requires regular maintenance and changing of all oils and filters. This should be done about once a year. The manufacturer’s instructions should help inform you of what the appropriate top-off levels are.

5. Clean the spark plugs. Clean your spark plugs. Enough said. Except that you should also replace them once a year too.

6. Check the bolts. Like any other piece of equipment, the bolts on your generator will gradually loosen over time due to vibrations.  Usual wear and tear is bound to happen; as long as you regularly check and maintain it you can avoid serious issues down the line.

7. Check the fuel. This is especially important if it’s been a while since you’ve used your generator.  When your gas has been sitting unused for a long period of time (6 months or longer) it becomes less efficient.

8. Check to make sure the following pieces of equipment are properly calibrated. Realistically, this should probably be done annually, if not biannually. These things should also be checked by a seasoned professional, not you. Depending on how often you utilize your tools will tell you how often to check on it. Think about it this way though, better safe than sorry. Here are the tools you want to check are adjusted correctly:

• Automatic voltage regulator
• Injectors
• Turbocharger
• Fuel pump

These are just a few of the things that we do before doing generator repairs and maintenance. If you need help with regular maintenance services or repairs, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We’d love to help you out if we can.
Norcal Electric & Pump Work is Chico, Paradise, Oroville/Yankee Hill and Northern California’s one-stop-shop for all your Electrical and custom construction project needs. From Generator sales and repairs to HVAC sales and repairs – we’re here for you every step of the way.  We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide our customers with practical solutions for their Electrical needs. Please give us a call today at one of the following numbers and we’d be more than happy to take care of whatever you need from generators, heating and air, electrical and lighting, and more! 

• Chico:                    (530) 345-5003
• Paradise:             (530) 872-3922
• Oroville/Yankee Hill        (530) 538-9350