If you’re a generator user, you may have noticed that your generator seems to keep shutting off. This can be frustrating and worrying, but there may be a simple explanation. I don’t know about you, but I hate it when my generator shuts off.
generators are a convenient way to provide backup power during a power outage, but they can also be annoying if they keep shutting off for no reason. So the question is generator users is that why does generator keep shutting off?
Now you don’t need a degree in electrical engineering to understand the answer, but you do need a basic understanding to be able to diagnose and fix your generator problem.
Why does the generator keep shutting off?
There are many reasons why generators periodically turn off, but I’m going to give you the three most common reasons.
- Low oil level in generator engine
If low oil is causing your generator problem, it will usually restart when the oil level increases again. This is often caused by excess heat due to inefficient combustion; this can damage internal parts of the engine .
- Fuel tank overflow/Fuel tank overfill
With older generators that don’t have fuel shut-off valves, or if there’s a leak in your fuel system, gasoline may spill over into the air cleaner and carburetor when you fill up the tank. Gasoline vapors in the atmosphere also collect at ground level because they’re denser than air .
- Fuel system problems
This includes leaking fuel lines or a clogged filter that restricts the flow of gasoline into the engine. If you’re having frequent shutdowns, check under your generator and see if gasoline is spilling onto its top cover. This is an indication of a problem with your fuel line system, which should be checked by a professional.
Generator Keeps Shutting Off: How to Fix It
A generator may shut off for a number of reasons. Some common causes include the following:
- Fuel-related problems, such as low oil or a clogged fuel filter
- Electrical problems, such as a grounded wire in the generator’s power cord
- Engine issues, such as a spark plug wire that has come loose from its terminal or an exhaust manifold that is cracked or broken
You need to pay attention to what your generator tells you when it shuts down. If something seems very wrong with it and you feel uncomfortable restarting it immediately after it shuts off, get professional help before trying again.
In some cases, leaving the generator running while not using any appliances plugged into it may overheat your system and cause damage going forward .
How do I keep my generator running?
There are a few things that you can do to keep your generator running longer. Keep the oil level in your generator engine at its proper level to prevent it from being under-oiled when you need it most.
This is something that only needs to be done once every 30 hours or so, but it’s an important consideration when using a portable power source .Do not add gasoline when the engine is hot because this could cause an explosion .
Make sure that your electrical cords and outlets are free from damage and have been properly grounded before plugging them into the system. Interrupting electricity causes a lot of wear on generator components .
If you’re having issues with gas spills, check the fuel line system for a possible leak. If a fuel line is cracked or worn out, you need to replace it to avoid further problems .
Make sure that the engine has been run recently . If you’re having trouble with excess heat, wait at least an hour before trying again as an overheated generator may be damaged beyond repair .
Oil Levels Can Cause A Generator To Shut off
While this is one of the most common reasons for a generator shutting off, it’s also something that can be handled with some quick maintenance. A running generator doesn’t just produce electricity; it also generates heat and friction inside of itself and the engine.
When the engine produces enough heat and friction, it’s time to add some oil to keep everything lubricated and running smoothly.
If you don’t add enough oil or if you change your oil at an inconvenient time (like immediately before switching on your new generator), you may find yourself pushing the “start” button over and over again without success. As soon as you can get access to fresh oil, though, there should be no problem restarting the generator.
Conclusion:
So hopefully now you have a better understanding of why your generator shuts off. If you’re still not sure, the best idea is to speak with a professional who has knowledge and experience with generators.
They can go through each of these tests and work out what the problem may be. With any luck, they will be able to fix it in a matter of minutes and no more headaches for you or whoever owns the generator!
FAQs:
Q 1) How can I get my generator started?
This depends on the exact issues that you are having. If your generator is low on oil, it’s going to be a little more difficult of a starting process. First thing’s first: don’t try to start the engine without adding some oil.
You might get lucky and jumpstart your generator into running for a few minutes, but if it runs out of oil again then you’ll just have another repeat episode of trying to restart it. If you think your generator is low on oil, grab a bottle and start pouring it in.
Q 2) How can I restart my generator if it has overheated?
If you’re trying to restart a hot generator, the first thing that we would recommend is waiting at least an hour or so. The engine needs time to cool off and this will prevent any accidents from happening .
The next thing to do is take a look around the system to see if there’s anything visibly wrong. Check the blockage indicator on the carburetor for any signs of obstructions or dirt and remove them ASAP .
You should also check whether the air filter is dirty since this could be causing your generator not to run as efficiently as possible (which would explain why it overheated in the first place) .
Q 3) How do I prevent oil change issues?
This can definitely happen if you aren’t prepared with everything that’s needed before performing an oil change. If you’re doing this at home and don’t have any fresh oil ready or kits that come with an oil extractor pump, we recommend getting yourself prepared beforehand. This way you won’t have to worry about running into any problems that may require professional help.
