Yes. Overfilling a generator can aerate the oil, raise crankcase pressure and push oil into the breather or air-filter housing. The result may be smoke, leaks, fouled plugs, rough running or engine damage.Do … Read more
An improvised generator exhaust extension can leak carbon monoxide, overheat nearby material and create enough backpressure to damage the engine. Moving exhaust through a hose does not make it safe to run a … Read more
A 20kW standby generator can run many homes, but the house size does not answer the question. What matters is the maximum load expected at one time, including motor starting current, electric heat, … Read more
Do not run a generator without its air filter. Unfiltered dust can score the cylinder, contaminate the oil and accelerate wear, while debris entering the intake can cause immediate damage.A missing filter can … Read more
A tripping generator is protecting a circuit from overload, short circuit, ground fault or another unsafe condition. Resetting it repeatedly without finding the cause can damage equipment or expose someone to shock or … Read more
A generator does not normally damage a battery when it powers the correct charger. Damage happens when voltage, charging profile, polarity or battery chemistry is wrong, or when an unregulated DC outlet is … Read more
Yes, premium gasoline can be used in a generator if it meets the engine manufacturer’s fuel specification, but it usually provides no advantage. Most portable generators are designed for regular unleaded gasoline at … Read more
A generator that repeatedly speeds up and slows down is either responding normally to changing load or “hunting” because the engine cannot hold a stable air-fuel mixture and speed. The distinction is whether … Read more
Propane runtime is a fuel-capacity calculation, not a fixed number. Divide the usable propane in the tank by the generator’s consumption at the expected load, then allow for reserve, cold-weather vaporization and any … Read more
A generator’s headline number is not enough to size a system. You need to know whether the rating is kW or kVA, whether it is continuous, prime or standby output, and what fuel, … Read more