3 TIPS FOR AVOIDING BACKUP GENERATOR FUEL PROBLEMS

A gasoline-powered backup generator is one of the best investments you can make to protect your family in the event of an emergency. Should your home lose power, a backup generator will provide you with continuous electrical and heating support. For those who live in rural areas - or in winter-prone climates - a backup generator can provide serious peace of mind.

Backup generators tend to be quite reliable and can easily sit dormant for long periods between uses. However, the same cannot be said for the fuel used by generators. Unless your generator has access to clean, well-filtered fuel, numerous problems may ensue.
If you would like to learn more about how to keep such problems at bay, read on. This article will present three useful tips for getting the best performance from your backup generator while avoiding the sorts of problems that can cause a generator to fail at exactly the worst time.

1. Store Your Fuel Properly

Gasoline must be stored properly in order to avoid unwanted evaporation and prevent debris and airborne matter from contaminating it. Impurities in the fuel will quickly clog up your generator's filter. In turn, this will restrict the flow of gasoline - leading to overheating in the generator's motor and other components. Ultimately, dirty fuel may cause your generator to cease functioning altogether.
Water represents another highly problematic substance, one that can wreak havoc on the engine in your generator. If water builds up in the fuel source, it will cause your generator to experience problems like hard starting and rough operation in general. It will also promote the formation of rust inside the generator.

Internal rust will increase the amount of particulate matter flowing through your generator, which accelerates the rate of general wear and tear. If severe enough, it may also cause certain components to fail outright. Fortunately, you can prevent both physical and water contamination by storing your fuel correctly.

Use plastic storage containers that are no larger than five gallons each. These containers should have gooseneck spouts to promote easy pouring and less evaporation. Be sure that the tip of the spout also has a cap that allows you to adequately seal off exposure to air. Be sure to keep your fuel stored out of direct sunlight. Large temperature swings will make water vapor more likely to condense inside the container.

2. Use Fuel Stabilizers

No matter how well stored it is, there can be no escaping the fact that gasoline is a highly volatile petroleum derivative. It will continue to experience chemical changes as time goes on. The most common change is the process of phase separation. This involves the different components that make up the gasoline separating into distinct strata.

The further gasoline breaks down, the more problems it will create when you put it in your generator. Fortunately, you can extend the lifespan of your stored gas through the use of fuel stabilizers. As their name would suggest, these substances promote a greater degree of chemical stability - ensuring that your gas stays fresh for at least several months.

3. Rotate Your Fuel

In order to be truly prepared for a blackout, you'll need more than one container of gasoline in your arsenal. In fact, many people keep four or five containers on hand, just to be on the safe side. Be sure to label each of your containers with the date you filled it. This will allow you to monitor the age of your gasoline, allowing you to keep it within the prescribed lifespan of your particular fuel stabilizer.

To ensure it doesn't go to waste, always use the oldest gasoline first. If a can is getting close to reaching its limit, then add it to your car and refill the container. That way, you can still get your money's worth out of each container of gasoline.

A backup generator will only deliver the results you need if you keep it properly stocked with fresh fuel. For more information about what it means to get the best fuel for your needs, please  contact the experts at Paul Murray Oil, Inc.