Winterizing Your Generator Sets
It’s almost fall, which for those of us who live in cold-weather
regions, means that it’s time to start winterizing our equipment for
increased longevity. Arguably, the most important feature on your
portable generator is reliability. To ensure that your generator is
fully functional when and where you need it most, it’s important to take
the proper winterization steps. The winterizing process can be
relatively painless and add years to the life of the generator. Diesel
generators are very tough and reliable but they still require some
general maintenance before parking for extended periods of time,
especially before winter.
Visual Inspection
First, you should perform a complete visual check before storing it for
the winter. Be sure to thoroughly inspect all of the components of the
generator, and make a list of any areas that have experienced excessive
wear and tear. Take note of components that need to be replaced, like
spark plugs or filters. Purchase and replace as needed. Also, take a
moment to check for any cracked or broken hoses at this point and
replace as needed.
Change Filters
For long-term storage you should always change the engine oil and
filters and check the engine coolant level and the antifreeze mix. Top
off the fuel tank with diesel and a good fuel-system stabilizer. Having a
full tank will prevent the fuel system from rusting while the generator
is in storage and push water out of the fuel lines. Fuel stabilizer is
an additive that you can pour into your fuel tank that will help
preserve the fuel as it sits in storage. Follow the directions on the
package; you will generally have to run the engine for a short while
after pouring the stabilizer into the tank.
Get Charged Up
It is extremely important to have a fully charged battery. A battery
charger option or a heavy-duty battery is recommended for cold weather
operation. A battery that is low or dead will not survive the winter.
Batteries lose power in cold weather so having a battery with higher
cold cranking amps (CCA) is more likely to survive the winter months.
Storage Tips
If possible, it’s ideal to store a portable generator, or any piece of
equipment in a climate controlled warehouse or garage. If you are unable
to make those arrangements, you will want to, at the very least, keep
the generator stored in some sort of shelter, or under a tarp to protect
it from the winter elements. On another note, if the generator is
utilized in the winter months and exposed to salt, dirt and sand, it’s a
good idea to clean off the generator, while still warm, before putting
it back into storage.
Other Considerations
As mentioned, it’s not uncommon for generators to experience plenty of
use in the winter months as well. If the portable generator will be used
frequently in cold weather, many units can be equipped with cold
weather packages to combat the icy winter months. It is also highly
recommended to switch to a lighter-weight engine oil for the winter
months. When using your generator during colder months, it’s necessary
to warm the unit up before diving right in to your daily work. Ten
minutes idling should prove to be ample time.
Eric Massinon is a product manager of portable energy at Chicago Pneumatic Construction Equipment, based in Franklin, Ind.
