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Generator guides
Choosing, sizing, connecting, running and fixing a generator, explained without the jargon. Filter by topic, or search for the problem you are trying to solve.
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55 guides
How Does a Generator Work? Types, Parts and Uses
A generator does not create energy. It converts mechanical energy, usually from a fuel-burning engine, into electrical energy. The principle has been the same for nearly…
How to Store a Generator: Short-Term, Long-Term and Reviving One That Sat
Most generator problems are really storage problems. Fuel goes stale, carburetors gum up, batteries die and the generator will not start when the next outage arrives.…
Generator Overload: Why the Breaker Keeps Tripping (and How to Stop It)
Overloading is the most common reason a generator's breaker trips or an inverter generator cuts out. The good news is that it is easy to diagnose…
Generator Keeps Shutting Off or Stalling: Causes and Fixes
A generator that starts fine and then cuts out is frustrating, but the cause is usually simple. The pattern tells you a lot: does it die…
Generator Running But No Power: Causes and Fixes
The engine is running smoothly, but nothing works when you plug in. This is almost always an electrical problem rather than an engine problem. Many causes…
Generator Surging or Hunting: Causes and How to Fix It
When a generator surges (also called hunting), the engine speed rises and falls in a repeating pattern. You hear the revs go up and down, and…
Generator Won’t Start: Causes and Fixes (Step-by-Step Checklist)
A generator that will not start almost always has one of four problems: fuel is not reaching the engine, there is no spark, the engine cannot…
How to Calculate Generator Runtime
Knowing how to calculate generator runtime can help you determine how long a generator can operate before it needs more fuel. The calculation is useful during…
How Much Fuel Does a Generator Use Per Hour?
A generator's fuel consumption depends on its size, fuel type, electrical load, engine efficiency, and operating conditions. There is no single fuel consumption rate that applies…
How Long Can a Generator Run Continuously?
How long a generator runs on a full tank depends on several factors, including the generator's fuel tank capacity, fuel type, engine efficiency, and electrical load.…
Generac Home Generators: Types, Features and What to Know Before You Buy
Generac is the best-known name in home standby generators, the permanently installed kind that start by themselves when the power fails. This guide explains how Generac’s…
DeWalt 5700-Watt Generator: Features and Uses
The DeWalt 5700-watt portable generator is aimed at job sites and home backup. This guide covers its main features, where it fits, and what to check…
Eco-Friendly Power Solution with Honda Propane Generators
Propane stores for years and burns cleaner than gasoline, which is why many owners want a propane-capable generator. This guide covers how propane operation works, where…
Best Silent Generators for Camping and Caravans: How to Choose
Most portable generators are loud enough to spoil a quiet campsite, and many campgrounds enforce quiet hours. This guide explains what makes a generator quiet, which…
How Far Can You Put a Generator from the Panel?
When installing a generator, one of the first questions is: how far should it be from the electrical panel? While it might seem straightforward, there's much…
Why Every Backup Generator Needs a Transfer Switch
A transfer switch connects a generator to your home’s wiring safely, so power can only come from one source at a time. This guide explains what…
King Generators: What the Range Offers and How to Choose
King is a generator brand sold for home backup, work sites and outdoor use. This guide summarizes what the range offers and how to choose a…
Propane Generators for Backup Power: Pros, Cons and How to Choose
Propane is one of the most practical fuels for a backup generator: it stores for years without going stale, burns cleaner than gasoline, and can be…
Everything You Need to Know About the Predator Generator 9000
The Predator 9000 is a portable generator sold by Harbor Freight, popular with homeowners and contractors as a lower-cost option. This guide covers its key features,…
Top Portable Propane Generators for Home and Outdoors
A portable propane generator runs from a standard propane cylinder, so fuel is easy to store and there is no stale-gas problem. This guide explains how…
Generac Propane Generators: Models, Uses and What to Know
Generac sells propane-capable generators for home backup and portable use. This guide explains how they differ from gasoline models, the main models, and how to choose…
Everything You Need to Know About the Predator Generator 3500
The Predator 3500 is a Harbor Freight inverter generator popular with campers and homeowners who want quieter, cleaner power at a modest price. Here is what…
Understanding Predator Generators and Their Best Models
Predator generators are made by Harbor Freight Tools and cover portable, inverter, dual fuel and tri-fuel models at lower prices than many brands. This guide describes…
Generator Fuels Explained: Gasoline, Diesel, Propane, Natural Gas and More
Generators run on gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas and a few less common fuels, and each changes cost, storage life, runtime and emissions. This guide compares…
How to Exhaust Portable Generators: A Comprehensive Guide
Portable generators are invaluable power sources during emergencies, outdoor activities, or when working in remote locations. However, to ensure their safe and effective operation, it's crucial…
Is It Safe to Run a Computer or Laptop on a Generator? Electronics Guide
Computers, phones and other electronics are more sensitive to power quality than most appliances, and a poor-quality generator can damage them. This guide explains total harmonic…
When and How to Change Your Generator’s Oil
Regular oil changes are the cheapest way to extend a generator’s life. This guide explains which oil to use, when to change it and how to…
Generator Lifespan: How Long Do Generators Last?
How long a generator lasts depends mostly on how it is built, how hard it is run and how well it is maintained. This guide gives…
How to Connect a Generator to a House Without a Transfer Switch (Safe Options)
You can run your home's essentials from a portable generator without a full transfer switch, but only in a few specific ways. The one method you…
Champion Generators – The Trusted Choice for Reliable Power
Champion Power Equipment builds portable, inverter and dual fuel generators for home, job site and recreational use. This overview covers the range, key features and maintenance…
Choosing the Best Portable Generator Brand for Your Home
Choosing a generator brand is partly about reputation and partly about service and spare parts. This guide compares the brands you will see most often for…
Ryobi 4000W Inverter Generator: Features, Uses and Limits
The Ryobi 4000W inverter generator is a quiet, portable unit for backup power, camping and tailgating. This guide covers what it offers, typical uses, and the…
A Deep Dive into the Champion 4000-Watt Inverter Generator
The Champion 4000-watt inverter generator is a quieter, cleaner-power option for home backup, job sites and camping. This guide covers its main features, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Champion 8750-Watt Inverter Generator: Features and Uses
The Champion 8750-watt inverter generator offers high output with inverter-quality power for home backup. This guide covers its features, including parallel capability, run time and cold-start…
Yamaha Generators: Models and Features Compared
Yamaha makes portable generators from large gas-powered units to compact inverter models. This guide looks at five notable Yamaha models, their features and the uses each…
Generator Safety: Essential Rules for Home and Work
Most generator injuries come from a few avoidable mistakes: running one indoors, connecting it to the house wiring incorrectly, and refueling a hot engine. This guide…
Solar Generators: How They Work and How They Compare with Fuel Generators
A solar generator is a battery and inverter charged by solar panels. It is quiet, has no fumes and can be used indoors, but it stores…
Honda Inverter Generators: Power, Safety, Versatility
Honda’s inverter generators are known for quiet running, clean power and fuel efficiency. This guide goes through a selection of Honda’s portable inverter models and the…
Honda Generators: Models and Features at a Glance
This guide covers Honda’s portable generator lineup, from the compact EU1000i to larger models such as the EU3000iS, with key features and typical uses for each.
How to Choose a Generator: A Buying Guide
Buying a generator is easier when you decide three things first: what you need to run, how long you need to run it, and what fuel…
Do You Need to Ground a Portable Generator? Grounding and Bonding Explained
Many people hammer a ground rod next to their generator because they think it is required. For most portable generators powering things through cords, it is…
Gasoline Generators: How They Work, Types and How to Choose
Gasoline generators are the most common type: widely available, inexpensive to buy and easy to find fuel for. This guide explains how they work, the main…
How to Charge Batteries with a Generator
A generator can be used to charge car, RV and deep-cycle batteries, but the charger and the connection matter. This guide explains why and how to…
Honda vs Yamaha Portable Generators: How They Compare
Honda and Yamaha make two of the best-known portable inverter generators. This comparison looks at reputation, power, portability, noise and price so you can see where…
Camping Generators: Types, Features and How to Choose
Most campgrounds are quiet, so a camping generator needs to be compact, fuel-efficient and not too loud. This guide covers the main types, the features worth…
Nature’s Generator: Models, Specs and How They Compare
Nature’s Generator is a line of solar-powered systems that pair a battery with solar panels and, on some kits, a wind turbine. This guide looks at…
Westinghouse Generators: Four Popular Models Compared
Westinghouse makes a wide range of portable generators, from inverter models to large dual fuel units. This article looks at four popular Westinghouse models and who…
Can a Dual fuel Generator run on Natural Gas: A Quick Guide
Having a generator at home or your workplace is like a blessing. It could save you from severe power outages. The generators gave you backup power…
Propane Generator vs. Dual Fuel Generator: Which is Best for you?
Power outages may long for several days. So it would help if you had some fuel generator to survive those days. Let’s know what is better
Dual Fuel Generators for RVs: What to Look For
A high-quality dual generator is reliable when you are away from traditional power sources for extended periods. You can use it to power your appliances in…
Quiet Dual Fuel Generators: 6 Models Compared
Power generators are a good source of electricity in power outages, but they are very loud even when running at a 25% load. Larger generators,
Dual Fuel Generators for Home Backup: 7 Popular Models Compared
Power up your home or worksite with the best 12000-watt dual-fuel generator today. So read this post thoroughly. You will get amazing options for dual-fuel generators
12,000-Watt Dual Fuel Generators: 8 Popular Models Compared
Power up your home or worksite with the best 12000-watt dual-fuel generator today. So read this post thoroughly. You will get amazing options for dual-fuel generators
Dual Fuel Generators Compared: Features, Fuel Options and Wattage
Here is the list of the best dual-fuel generators 2022 on the market! If you choose, you will have the best dual-fuel generator.
Best Dual Fuel Inverter Generators
Are you thinking to invest your money in buying a good generator or converting your single fuel generator (diesel, gas, propane, etc)
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