How to Calculate Your Generator’s Runtime

It’s very important to have a way to calculate your generator’s runtime, so we can know clearly how long our generators can supply stable power when we face power outages. Here’s a formula: Running time = Tank capacity ÷ Hourly fuel consumption × Percentage of load. If you feel a little complicated, here’s a generator runtime calculator.

How to Extend Generator’s Run Time

Regular Maintenance

We all know that generators need to do the regular maintenance, such as replacing the oil, which can reduce the engine’s friction and wear, generators need to change the engine oil regularly for every 50 to 100 hours. Then, regularly changing the air filter can help reduce dust and other dirty things coming into the engine, causing damage. The air filter should be checked every 25 to 50 hours, it should be changed if it’s dirty.

Using High-Quality Fuel

We strongly recommend using high-quality fuel, it is burning more cleanly and efficiently and can help to reduce the risk of engine damage. Low-quality fuel may be cheaper, but you’ll pay more money for engine damage and spare parts changing. So, you should read the generator manufacturer’s manual carefully and use the fuel type and grade recommended by the manufacturer.

Choose Dual-fuel Generator

Taking it literally, we can choose a generator with a dual-fuel function, when we run out of one type of fuel, we can use another type of fuel to extend its runtime. A dual-fuel generator often can use diesel or gasoline as one type of fuel, another type of fuel will be gas, just like natural gas or methane, and the gas fuels are usually stored by external gas cylinder and connected the cylinder to generator by hoses to provide fuel.

Some Safety Tips For Continuous Run

The Risks of Overheating

We know that any model of generator has the risk of overheating, especially for those models that have been specified by the manufacturer. Generally speaking, we suggest that portable generators should be shut down every 12 hours of continuous working. For other types of generators, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions if have the cooling system.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Threat

We should pay attention to the CO poisoning threat, especially for those users who want to use generators as home backup power. Because most houses are close spaces, running a generator indoors tends to build up a lot of carbon monoxide, which will seriously affect the lives of family members. So we strongly suggest generator users run the generator outside the house at least 20 inches away. And, at the same time, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, monitor the concentration of carbon monoxide at all times, and automatically alert when it exceeds the safety limit.

Manufacturer Guidelines

Many generator users are easy to ignore these details, they don’t read the manufacturer manuals carefully before operating a generator, but at the time, they use and illegally operate the generator, many operations can be dangerous. As we know, the manufacturer will test the generator for thousands to get some key data or rules, such as when this model of generator needs to be shut down and how far the generator needs to be kept away from the house.

How Long Does a Generator Last?

Lifespan by Different Generator Type

Portable generators usually last between 1,000 and 2,000 hours, while home backup generators can last up to 20,000 to 30,000 hours. Talking about the factors that caused these differences, it’s just like the quality of the build, such as the core components quality. And how it is used, how often it is maintained.

Factors Affecting Generator Lifespan

It is just like we talk about the factors affecting the generator’s continuously working hours, these factors also can affect the generator’s lifespan, such as the types of fuels and the fuels quality. And the generator running conditions, such as extreme temperatures and humidity. Also, proper installation and storage can impact the generator’s lifespan. Regular maintenance also plays an important role in impacting the generator’s lifespan.

Tips to Extend Generator Lifespan

There are many tips for this, like following the manufacturer’s maintenance guide, storing the generator in a proper place when not in use. Then adding high-quality fuels, avoiding overheating, and overloading.

Conclusion

In summary, there are many factors that can affect the generators continuous runtime, Know clearly about the generator’s working hours and also know how to extend the work hours, which can maximize our ability to face of power shortages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Generator Runtime

How many hours can a generator run without stopping?

It depends on the generator’s model and its cooling system, portable generators usually can work continuously for 12 hours, while some other types can work 48 hours with a specially designed cooling system.

Is It Okay to Leave a Generator Running All Night?

For overnight generator use, we should put the generator outside from the house, ensure enough air movement to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do Generators Need to Rest?

Every generator should have a rest after some hours of continuously working, we should try to avoid the generator overheating for long periods of use and extend the generator’s lifespan.