We also recommend that you read other articles that address the selection and operation of household generator sets: “How to choose a backup power supply generator” and “How to connect a generator to the house: through a socket, a switch and an ATS unit.”

What and how to refuel the generator?

Household electric generators do not require any special fuel. They “feed” on what they can buy at any gas station. Gasoline generators typically run on 92 or 95 octane gasoline, the same fuel that powers most cars. Exceptions to this rule are rare (they are separately specified in the operating instructions). The tank of a diesel power plant should be filled with diesel fuel according to the season (summer or winter). And multi-fuel generators can operate either on gasoline or on liquefied gas fuel LPG - automobile (PBA) or technical (SPBT).

Multi-fuel generators that can run on propane are economical and quiet.

Be careful when transferring fuel from a metal or plastic canister into the generator tank. Under no circumstances should gasoline or diesel fuel come into contact with those components and parts that heat up to high temperatures during operation (we are talking, first of all, about the engine and muffler). During refueling, there must be a filter in the neck of the fuel tank - a “cup” made of steel or plastic mesh, which traps large particles of dirt.

The process of refueling push-pull generators should be discussed separately. They do not need pure gasoline, but a gasoline-oil mixture. It is not sold ready-made, but is mixed immediately before refueling. It is necessary, armed with a clean container and a measuring cup, to mix gasoline and special motor oil in a ratio of 50:1 (20 ml of oil per 1 liter of fuel) or 40:1 (25 ml of oil per 1 liter of fuel). The exact ratio of the mixture components is indicated in the operating instructions for your two-stroke. The mixture must be stirred for several minutes until the oil is completely dissolved in the fuel. It is strictly forbidden to refuel a two-stroke gas generator with pure gasoline without oil, since it will quickly fail due to overheating.

Gasoline generators

What kind of oil should I put in the generator?

New generators, which are sold in online stores or construction hypermarkets, are delivered to customers in a “dry” form - without technical fluids. There is usually even a bright tag attached to the body or neck, which reminds you that before starting the generator for the first time, you need to fill it with engine oil. Generator set manufacturers usually recommend using synthetic or semi-synthetic. For generators that operate at ambient temperatures ranging from −10 °C to +40 °C, oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 or 10W-40 is suitable (exact recommendations for a particular model can be found in the operating instructions).

The engine oil level is checked before each generator start.

The oil neck is located at the bottom of the engine (for some devices it may be hidden under the casing). Usually it is designed in such a way that it is impossible to fill in too much oil (if the generator is installed horizontally, then all the excess will simply flow out). Since lubricants gradually burn out during engine operation, it is necessary to monitor the oil level (it should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the oil dipstick), top it up in a timely manner and change it periodically. Many generators are equipped with sensors and indicators, with the help of which the equipment reports low oil level and turns itself off to avoid engine overheating.

How to start a generator correctly?

The process of starting a gasoline generator depends on the design of a particular power plant. But the general principles are approximately the same. Before starting the engine, it is necessary to open the fuel valve and close the air damper (to create a rich mixture with a higher fuel content). On some models, both actions are performed using a single ON/OFF switch. Others have separate handles and levers to control the valve and valve. Some engines may have a boost primer installed - a button that needs to be pressed a couple of times before starting the internal combustion engine to enrich the mixture with gasoline. The exact procedure for each generator is described in its operating instructions.

Manual start generators are started using a pull cord. You should “take up the slack” (slowly pull the cable 5–10 cm until resistance is felt), and then pull the handle towards you with a strong and sharp movement to spin the engine. Sometimes the procedure must be repeated two or three times until the engine starts. Once stable speeds have been established, the air damper (throttle) can be opened slightly so that the engine switches to operating mode with the optimal ratio of gasoline and air.

Small generators usually do not have batteries and can only be started manually.

Starting the generator manually requires a certain effort (the larger the engine displacement, the harder it is to start it using a cable). Therefore, many generators are equipped with electric starters powered by an on-board battery. To start a generator with an electric starter, you need to perform the same pre-start manipulations with the fuel faucet and throttle valve, and then turn the ignition key to the START position or press the button. Some generator sets can be started remotely (using a remote control or even a smartphone app) or automatically (if the power plant is equipped with an ATS unit or has an ATS connector).

Generators with manual start

Running in the generator

Run-in is the process of gradually putting machines and mechanisms into operation. Its essence is that the parts and assemblies “break in” to each other before the unit begins to operate at full capacity.

Running in the generator is carried out in this way: a new, freshly unpacked power plant should operate without any load at all for the first 20 - 30 minutes after startup (idling at low speed), and for the next 20 operating hours - with a load that does not exceed 50% of the rated power. During this time, the engine parts of the cylinder-piston group grind in, and primary wear products - metal particles in the form of grains and microscopic chips - get into the engine oil. Therefore, after break-in, it is necessary to completely change the engine oil. A run-in generator can be started with a load corresponding to the rated power.

During the break-in period, the generator can perform useful work, but it should not operate at full capacity.

How to charge a battery from a generator?

Many generators have 12-volt output terminals or connectors that can be used to charge car and motorcycle batteries. In many cases, the kit immediately includes cables with crocodile clips intended for such purposes.

In order not to “kill” the battery during charging, you should connect it correctly to the generator. The rule is very simple: the red wire is connected to the “positive” (+) terminal of the battery, and the black wire is connected to the “negative” (−) terminal. To apply power to the wires, you must turn on the DC circuit breaker (usually there is a button or switch on the panel labeled DC ON/OFF) and turn off the "eco" mode (if your generator has this feature).

Please note : the generator cannot be considered a full-fledged device for charging batteries, since it does not know how to “cut off” the power in time when the battery is already fully charged, and can damage the battery. Therefore, the generator set should be considered solely as an “emergency” source for partial recharging. To charge the battery under normal conditions, special chargers and starting chargers should be used.

Batteries installed on generators with electric starters are charged automatically during operation of the power plant. There is usually no need to remove them for recharging if the generator set is used at least occasionally.

The air filter should also be checked and cleaned before each start.

Basic rules for generator operation and maintenance

To ensure that the generator set lasts a long time and does not fail prematurely, you must follow a few simple rules.

  • Fill the power station with high-quality fresh fuel and use engine oil whose specifications comply with the generator manufacturer’s recommendations. Never start an internal combustion engine without the air filter in place.
  • Do not overload the generator. Run-in the engine and after it use the equipment with a load approximately equal to 75% - 80% of the rated power of the installation.
  • Each time you start, warm up the engine for a couple of minutes before connecting consumer devices, and before turning it off, give it the opportunity to run a little without load for smooth cooling.
  • Carry out routine maintenance in a timely manner to the extent and within the time limits specified in the generator operating instructions.

Service schedules for different brands and models of generators may vary slightly. But in most cases, the frequency of cleaning and replacing elements approximately corresponds to the data in the table below. Many generators are equipped with hour meters, which make it convenient to monitor engine operating hours and perform routine maintenance in a timely manner.

Actions Every time you start First month
or first 20 hours		 Every 3 months
or 50 hours		 Every 6 months
or 100 hours		 Every year
or 300 hours
Engine oil Level check +
Replacement + +
Air filter Checking and cleaning + + +
Replacement +
Spark plug Checking and cleaning + +
Replacement +
Fuel Level check +
Cleaning the tank +
Fuel filter Checking and cleaning + +

On average, engines of budget generators have a service life of 1000 to 3000 hours of operation. Power plants that are installed on household generators with branded engines(Honda, Yamaha, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Husqvarna, Kohler, Kiotsu, Kubota, Doosan and other well-known brands) can last longer - at least 3000 - 5000 hours before major repairs. These estimated periods are valid only under the condition of careful operation of the equipment, timely service and the use of high-quality consumables.