What do you do if your home loses power during harsh winters? Don’t worry about your refrigerated food deteriorating in the dark; rely on your generator to keep your heating and cooling systems running. But what happens if your generator refuses to start?
What Would Cause A Generator Not To Produce Power?
A generator is a costly piece of machinery, and you want to get the most out of it. Your generator can last you a long time if you take good care of it. They can, however, wear down over time, just like any other piece of equipment.
The generator will produce no electricity at start-up if the residual magnetism is removed.
This residual magnetism can be removed naturally when the generator is not in use or when the load on the generator is connected when it is turned off.
It can also occur if a generator is operated without a load for an extended period of time. Generators must operate in order to retain residual magnetism.
Also, your generator will not run properly if there are any short circuits between the windings, and the breaker will most likely trip.
This could happen if, for example, the insulation fails. This is something you should not attempt to diagnose on your own, and the best option is to get your generator repaired by a professional.
Why Your Home Emergency Generator Isn’t Working?
It’s aggravating when your generator’s engine won’t start and being exposed to excessive heat or cold without power is dangerous. However, troubleshooting a malfunctioning generator is simple.
The most common reasons generators fail to start and what you can do to get your home back up and running are given below
1. The Fuel Tank Is Empty
The first thing you should check is your fuel. Check the fuel levels in the tank if your generator runs on gasoline and add extra if necessary. Check the fuel level in a propane-fueled generator and make sure all the valves and tubing connecting the propane tank to the generator are open.
Keep in mind that “stale” gasoline, defined as gasoline that is more than two months old, can damage the generator’s engine. Fill the tank with fresh gasoline after draining stale gasoline from the tank and carburetor.
2. A Discharged Battery
If your generator won’t start, it could be due to a dead battery or bad connections, much like your car. Try charging the battery with a 12-volt DC outlet or using your car battery to jump-start it. If it doesn’t work, the battery is unlikely to be the issue.
3. The Generator’s Cables Are Connected
Before you try to start your generator, be sure it’s not plugged in. Unplug everything, even if there are no appliances attached to the wires plugged in, to isolate the cause of your generator’s failure to start.
4. Make Any Necessary Adjustments To The Choke Control
When the engine starts up, the choke controls the amount of air in the carburetor. The amount of air mixing with the gasoline could be the issue if the engine won’t turn over.
The choke should be entirely closed on a cold engine. You can set the choke to fully open once the engine has warmed up. If the engine is still warm, though, the choke must be halfway open to restarting it.
5. Carburetor Clog
You may have already drained the carburetor when checking for stale fuel, but if you haven’t, now is the moment. The carburetor becomes clogged with old gasoline, preventing new fuel from getting through to start combustion.
Close the gasoline valve first to clean out your carburetor. Remove the bowl at the bottom of the carburetor and clear away any debris with a brush or rags. Insert a needle or straight pin into a brass jet nozzle to eliminate blockages. Before attempting to restart the generator, switch the fuel valve back on once you’ve done.
What Are The Solution To Common Generator Issues?
Regular maintenance is the simple solution to most generator issues. Generator owners should have a service agreement in place with a reputable company.
A planned service agreement is the most effective way to mitigate and avoid generator problems in industrial settings. Working with the generator manufacturer and distributor will also describe proper usage to ensure that the proper load quantities are used on a regular basis.
Trust the generator professionals and work together with them to ensure that your generator is ready to go when and how you need it.
Related Questions
Why is my generator producing only low voltage?
Voltage drops can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the most prevalent causes is that the generator’s load exceeds its operating capability. As a result, the generator slows down or entirely loses voltage, harming everything linked to it.
What is the most common generator issue?
Neglected generator maintenance is the most typical issue. Consider an industrial generator’s engine in the same way you would a car’s engine. It is commonly recognized that if you do not examine the engine’s components for wear and tear in addition to preventative maintenance, you will have problems.
Conclusion
If you live in an area where power outages are often, generators can be a lifeline. These generators, however, may fail to supply power when it is most required. If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t try to fix the generator yourself; instead, seek a certified generator expert for any major repairs.