Portable Electricity Generators: Beginners Manual

Movable power generators are excellent when you lose power or in places that have no power. For information on how to safely and efficiently use these generators please refer to this article. 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.

- Diesel powered generators last longer, are more fuel efficient, and do not heat up as much as gasoline generators. However, diesel fuel degrades over time. If you want to use your generator as a power source in a secluded cabin in the mountains, you will need to know the proper techniques for storing fuel. Aside from food, residents of a hurricane-prone area must also have fuel in stock. Because a lot of gas station pumps operate with electricity, a power outage in your region may make it impossible to obtain fuel to run 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. At -46 F, this changes into an easily compressed liquid. Compressed propane is sold in portable tanks at many service stations.

- 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.

While generators can be quite useful, they are also very dangerous if proper procedures are not followed. 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. Generators must never be used indoors. Otherwise, CO poisoning is likely to result from breathing the engine exhaust. Keep in mind though that this includes sheds, crawlspaces, garages 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 it appears that you will need to use your portable generator on a regular basis, it would be a wise precaution to install battery operated CO alarms.

- 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.

- Be confident that you have extension cords that are the right size and meant for the outdoors. For safety, it is essential that you use cords rated for an appropriate wattage. The rating should exceed the combined wattage of all devices connected to it. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires. 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.