One of the worst things that could possibly happen this holiday season is for the power to go out. What could be even worse is if your trusted backup generator fails to generate power for your home. The lights are out and the kids keep asking you when the Christmas tree will finally light up. Depending on how young your kids are, this could be a serious family disaster.
If you’re ready to become your kids’ hero of the year, here’s how to test your backup generator and avert a holiday disaster.
STEP 1. Flip the mainline breaker off to cut power from the utility line and force the standby generator to turn on.
STEP 2. Once the standby generator turns on, the transfer switch should click within a minute. The delay is caused by the transfer switch waiting to make sure that the incoming power is stable. The transfer switch is the most common installation for distributing power from the power source throughout the home.
STEP 3. As the generator runs, walk through your home to make sure that power is fully restored.
STEP 4. If the generator seems to be working properly, go ahead and turn the mainline breaker on and wait for the transfer switch to click again.
If the generator failed the test
If the generator failed to turn on, here are three things to check.
Gas
Well this one’s obvious. If your generator has run out of fuel, then you have an easy fix on your hands. However, if your generator seems to run out of fuel pretty quickly, you may have a clogged fuel filter. You’ll need to have the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel gauge and fuel filters inspected.
Battery
If the battery has lost its charge or has completely died, then there may be a sulfate buildup along the blades of the battery. The battery can be fixed by cleaning the battery. Or you may need to buy a new fully charged battery.
Coolant
If the battery is hot to the touch, then there may not be enough coolant in the home generator. Checking coolant levels is a fairly simple task and should be done on a regular basis. Be sure to check for leaks of coolant in or around the base of the generator.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to BAE with any questions or service needs to avoid an emergency during the holidays.