Steps to Breaking In Your New Portable Generator

Steps to Breaking In Your New Portable Generator

So your new portable generator has just been delivered. Yay! But before you start planning your next camping trip and backyard barbecue, you need to break in your generator.

Yep - you read that right. In fact, the first few hours of using your portable generator will have a huge impact on how long it's lifespan will be. Generators don't come cheap, so you want to make sure you do this correctly to avoid damaging your brand-new unit.

So, what do we mean by "breaking in my portable generator"? Is it the same as the first time you use it? Absolutely not. Think of it as a warmup before actually putting the generator to work. Breaking in a generator means letting it run a cycle for a certain amount of time and changing the oil after every cycle.

This allows the oil to run through all the moving parts in the engine, clean it, and get it ready for future use. Also, prepping your generator is important because when engines are new and have never been used, there is a good chance that tiny pieces of metal break off. This can cause significant damage to your engine over time and shorten the overall service life of your unit.

Which brings us to the next question:

How do I break in my portable generator properly? Top 6 Do's and Don'ts When Using Caravan Generators 2

The process could take a couple of hours but is fairly easy, especially for those who have done it before. If you're a first-timer and don't have much experience handling a camping generator, here are the most important steps to properly break in your spanking-new outdoor gear.

Step 1: Read the operator's manual

You might think that little piece of paper can be skipped, but it's actually filled with helpful information on the steps you will need, including additional instructions on changing the oil, usage, and more.

Step 2. Shop for supplies to lubricate your generator

Buy fuel, oil, and a funnel. Choose which oil and fuel is recommended by the manufacturer and use the funnel for mess-free pouring (do not use the same funnel for both the fuel and oil to avoid contamination.)

Step 3: Add oil and fuel to the reservoirs

Fill the reservoir to the recommended level and avoid overfilling. Wait for the oil to flow in every intended area, then top off as needed. After this, fill the fuel tank from a clean, authorised fuel can. For Gentrax, we recommend using either 9IRON or regular unleaded fuel, whichever is more accessible to you.

Step 4: Start the generator

Start up your petrol generator after the fuel has been added. Remember, it is normal if the generator does not start up right away after the first or second pull. Just keep trying until the engine starts.

Step 5: Run the generator

Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for the minimum time your generator should run initially. If there's no recommendation, run it for a full hour. Keep in mind: You can connect a load to your generator during the break-in period as long as it does not exceed 75% of the generator's capacity

Step 6: Second start (Optional)

Allowing your engine to run for a second time will ensure that all remaining metal bits collect in the oil. After this, drain the oil again and refill before running the engine for the first time on your next adventure.

A few things to remember:

  • While the first hours of running your portable generator are important, see to it that you keep up a regular maintenance routine for your unit to prolong its lifespan.
  • The first oil change should be the first 20 hours of run time or 1st month, whichever comes first.
  • Air filters should be checked before each inverter generator is used. Ideally, this should also be cleaned after 50 hours or 3 months of use.
  • Spark plug adjustments should be done every 6 months and replaced fully once per year.

And that is it. Pat yourself on the back. You have successfully broken in your portable generator. Now, you can start planning for that weekend camp out or roadtrip!

Haven't decided where to buy a portable generator yet? No need to look further. Outbax is your best go-to online shop for any camping gear. In fact, our famous 3.5kW Inverter Generator was even voted the best generator in the country multiple times now!

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