Generators are an essential part of any emergency preparedness plan. They can be used to power appliances and other devices during a power outage, or to provide backup power when the electricity fails unexpectedly. However, if you don’t take proper care of your generator, then it may break down prematurely—which is why it’s important to follow these tips on how to store your generator after use so that it lasts longer:
Run Its Engine
After using your generator, run the engine until there is little or no gas left. This will help prevent moisture from condensing in the carburetor and will also help prevent the fuel from going bad.
Clean The Exterior
Clean the exterior of your generator with a soft cloth.Use water and mild soap to clean the exterior of your generator, then dry it with a clean cloth.
Store It With The Gas Valve Closed
Once you’ve decided where you’re going to store your generator, close the gas valve. This will help prevent moisture and dirt from getting into the engine and damaging it. You should also make sure the generator is in a dry place—not just because water can damage it, but because moisture can lead to rusting or corrosion of metal parts. Additionally, try to find an area in which temperatures remain relatively constant year round; heat increases wear on moving parts while cold can cause them to crack. Ideally, this should be a dark location as well—the less sunlight exposure there is on your generator, the longer its lifespan will be.
Remove Any Spark Plugs
When storing your generator, you should remove the spark plugs. Spark plugs are a fire hazard and can be damaged by moisture, dirt and vibration. If they are left in place while the generator is stored, they could be damaged by corrosion as well as heat. If these issues occur during storage, it could delay or even prevent you from using your generator at all when it’s needed most – when there’s an emergency!
Store It Somewhere Dry
When you’re not using your generator, it is important to store it somewhere relatively cool, dry, and dark. This will prevent the oil from congealing. The ideal temperature range for storing a gas-powered generator is between 15°F and 50°F (–9°C to 10°C). The best places to keep your generator would be in a garage or shed with proper ventilation, but if that isn’t an option there are other ways to protect it from moisture damage.
The key thing about keeping a generator free of moisture when not in use is ventilation; if you don’t provide adequate airflow around the unit as it sits idle then condensation can form on internal surfaces like carburetor parts and cause rusting issues down the road. Another benefit of proper ventilation is that dust will have fewer opportunities for settling on internal components such as spark plugs or air filters—which means less maintenance required when you do start up again! And finally: heat buildup from prolonged operation can cause permanent damage unless steps are taken beforehand by following our tips above!
Cover Your Generator
You can protect the generator from humidity and dampness by wrapping it in our equipment cover. Do not store your generator near water sources, as this could cause rusting to occur on its surfaces.
Keep It Away From Kids
You should never store your generator near animals or children–especially if it’s an outdoor unit! Some animals will chew through wires to get at things inside of them that they want, which could lead to electrocution for both you and them. Kids love shiny things like generators; however these things are dangerous if mishandled by small hands who don’t know how to use them properly yet!
Keep Your Generator Dry
With the right knowledge and care, your generator can last a lifetime. We hope this article has helped you learn more about how to store it properly so that it doesn’t break down on you in an emergency situation or when you need power. For more information on our protective covers, contact us today!