Have you put your generator through its paces for the next New Jersey storm? When was the last occasion you could say you have tested it? Can you be certain it will come on when the power is out and your family is counting on it?
Matters worth considering before the weather turns. We at Raynor Services have been in the business of keeping Southern New Jersey homeowners with power since 1994. Should you have any qualms about your generator, our team can be reached at (609) 845-0648.
You do not get much of a heads up from New Jersey weather. A nor’easter or a summer thunderstorm of some size will move in quick time and leave you without power for days. The same with a hurricane. Then there is the generator that has not been used in months; it is easy to overlook an issue until you go to throw the switch and are met with nothing. With a bit of attention most of these can be nipped in the bud.
Why Generators Fail at the Worst Time
It is a frustration all too familiar: the generator gives out when you can least afford it. In the main it is because the unit has been sitting idle and problems have been festering. Think of it as a car left in the garage a year; one would not be surprised if it sputtered.
Add to that the demands of a storm and you have cold and damp conditions and long run times that will reveal what a test on a fine day does not. It is good to know where to look.
What to Watch For
In advance of the next storm, be on the lookout for any of the following:
- Fuel that has gone bad. Gasoline will break down and clog the carburetor; after a few months it may not fire the engine.
- A battery with no charge. Standby generators need a good battery to start and their absence is a frequent cause of failure.
- Oil levels running low or the oil being dirty. This risks damage to the engine and an automatic shutdown at an inopportune moment.
- Air filters clogged with debris and leaves. The engine has to labor over restricted air and it will show in the performance and shorten the life of the unit.
- Corrosion on the wiring and terminals. Damp coastal air will do this and you may get a weak start or none at all.
- An automatic transfer switch that has given way. On a standby model this is what puts the house on generator power. Without it the generator is running but the home is dark.
- Any error codes or warning lights. Do not put them off, they are indicating a problem before it becomes an emergency.
Some Things You Can Do Yourself
One does not have to be a technician to head off trouble. Put the generator through a brief test on a quiet day and see if it starts and runs without undue smoke or noise. If the oil is dark and needs changing, make sure of it. Clear away the leaves from around the unit and have some fresh gasoline at hand for those units that use it.
There are things for which you want a professional, however. Properly diagnosing electrical connections or putting the battery to a load test requires the experience and tools we have.
The Case for Monitoring Your Generator
A problem can present itself when you are not home to deal with it. Our monitoring service from Raynor Services is designed to spot such issues so you are not left in the cold and dark without backup.
We are a woman-led, family owned operation licensed and insured with 24/7 availability in Burlington, Ocean, Atlantic and Camden Counties. Our technicians are vetted with background and substance checks and proficiency exams and are trained in Nexstar principles. We price by the job so you will not be taken aback once the work is finished and we stand behind it with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a Happy Call to follow.
Make the call to us at (609) 845-0648 and let us see that you are prepared for when the power fails. There is no reason to wait for the storm to tell you something is amiss with your generator.
