Portable electricity generators are a blessing in cases of temporary electric power failure or in remote locations with no electric power supply. By reading this article, you will be armed with the basic information necessary to use these generators properly and efficiently. Generators are rated by their wattage, how many watts of power they produce and how much demand they can handle, and those whose wattage is higher than 2,500 watts do not classify as portable, or back-up, generators; 5000-watt generators, for example, are considered to be "whole house" generators because they can provide power to several major household appliances simultaneously.
Portable generators use a number of different fuels: gasoline, diesel, propane gas, or natural gas.
- Compared to gasoline generators, diesel generators have longer lifespans, use less fuel, and produce less heat. Eventually, diesel fuel will deteriorate. This is an important fact. You must keep fuel storage requirements in mind if you plan to use your generator in a secluded or remote place. You should also keep a stock of fuel if you are in a hurricane prone area, for example. Since many service station pumps run on electric power, a general outage in your area may mean that you won't be able to get any fuel for your generator. It is always a good habit to pour stored fuel into an automobile or a gas powered appliances every few months.
- The comparative price of gasoline compared to that of diesel fuel in the U.S it is different each year. However, energy output per gallon of diesel fuel is higher than that of gasoline. In the same way as diesel, gasoline breaks down with the passage of time, and so unused fuel must be exchanged often.
- Propane gas can be safely stored because it does not decay/spoil. It turns liquid at - 46 F and is easy to compress. Many service stations sell compressed propane in portable cans.
- Natural gas generators are only usable where your local utility service offers piped-in natural gas direct to the generator location. Propane compresses easily, in contrast to natural gas which does not.
Improper use of electric generators can be dangerous. The safety measures below should be strictly adhered to.
- The byproduct of running a fuel-powered generator is carbon dioxide, which is both invisible and odorless. Of course, a generator shouldn't be used inside because the exhaust can cause carbon monoxide illness or poisoning. Remember though that this includes garages, crawlspaces, sheds etc.
- Keep your portable generator in a safe place, outdoors. Although you will need to run extension cords into your home to supply power, the generator should not be close to doors, windows or vents that might allow CO to come indoors.
- If you will use your generator often, you should consider installing battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms as a precaution against poisoning.
- There is always an electrical hazard element with the use of portable generators, especially if they are operated in wet conditions, like a power outage due to flooding. If it is raining, keep the generator covered, but don't use it inside buildings or near their entrances.
- Use the correct size cords for extension that are made for the outdoors. The rating for each cable must be enough to carry the total wattage of all the devices drawing current through it. Fires can occur when overloaded cords become too hot. All three plug prongs should be undamaged and the cord should be free from any cuts or tears.
- Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect your generator to your home wiring by plugging it into a wall outlet, and you must never hook up generators to power lines or other power sources. Electrocution could result if the flow of electricity is reversed.
- To avoid burns and fires, turn off the generator and let it cool down before refueling; gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.