(Last Updated On: July 29, 2018)

Necessary Accessories For Portable Generators

In this article, we discuss the necessary accessories for portable generators. Anyone that is considering purchasing a portable generator should be aware that there are often other items that are needed in order to properly use it. Sometimes these accessories might come with the portable generator when it is initially purchased, but will eventually need to be replaced. At other times, it is simply up to the consumer to be aware of what accessories are necessary for their situation and make those purchases separately.

Portable generators are meant to be easily moved from one location to another, but sometimes they do not come equipped with a handlebar and wheels for easy movement and they need to be carried by hand. Even if the portable generator is lightweight, it is still a good idea to get the wheel kit and properly install it on your portable generator. You might not think that the wheels are necessary, but you never know when having the option of wheeling the generator might come in handy. For example, if you move to another home or take the portable generator on a camping trip, you might need to carry it for quite a distance.

Another type of accessory that you might need to purchase is electrical cords. It is very important to use electrical cords that are grounded when you are plugging appliances or other items into a generator. The portable generator does not have the same type of wiring as the electricity in your home and using ungrounded cords could be dangerous. In addition to electrical cords being grounded, any extension cords that you use should be capable of handling the wattage that will be sent through it.

All extension cords come with this information when they are purchased, but if you are no longer sure of the wattage that your extension cord can handle, you should take it to a professional and seek their advice instead of using it and getting hurt or causing damage to the appliance or portable generator.

In order to keep your portable generator clean between infrequent uses, it is a good idea to buy a cover for it. This will protect it from getting dusty or damp so that it is ready to be used whenever you need it. Keep in mind, that if you are storing it for an extended period, you should not just cover it and leave it to sit until you need it.

It is recommended that you uncover and start your stored portable generator once a month and let it run for five to ten minutes. This keeps the oil from becoming sluggish and circulates fresh fuel into the motor so that it does not fail to start when you are depending on it for emergency power.

For convenience, you might want to purchase a long-necked funnel to make fueling your portable generator a lot easier. Although many fuel cans come with a long spout, the fuel tank opening on your portable generator still might be a little difficult to access. Using the long-necked funnel will decrease the chances of spilling the fuel.

With this guide, there is no doubt that you will have difficulties finding the necessary accessories for portable generators.