Storm Season Is Upon Us - Be Generator Ready

Don't Wait for a Storm to Find Out Your Generator Won't Start

Storm season brings power outages with little warning, and a generator that's sat unused since last summer is the worst time to discover it won't start. A few checks now, before the wild weather hits, make the difference between genuine backup power and a shed ornament when you actually need it.

Test It Before You Need It

Don't wait for the first outage to find out. Start your generator now and let it run under an actual load, plug in something real rather than just idling it. Listen for anything unusual, check it holds a steady output, and confirm it doesn't stall or surge. If it's reluctant to start or runs rough, sort it out now while you've got time, not during a blackout.

Basic Maintenance Checks

Check the oil level and top up or change it if it's due, running low on oil is one of the most common reasons a generator won't start or shuts itself down under load. For petrol models, check the spark plug and air filter, both are cheap, easy checks that prevent hard-starting. If yours has an electric start, make sure the battery is charged and holding voltage, a flat battery renders an otherwise perfectly good generator useless.

Fuel Storage and Freshness

Old fuel is a common, avoidable cause of starting problems. If your generator's been sitting for months, drain and replace stale fuel rather than risk it clogging the carburettor. Make sure you've got enough fuel stored safely for an extended outage, and check your containers or tank aren't due for a top-up before the season gets underway.

Know Your Setup Before the Storm Hits

Work out what you actually need to run, fridge, lights, communications, medical equipment, before the power goes out, not during. Have extension leads or a transfer switch set up and ready to go rather than improvising in the dark. And always run a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated space, never indoors, in a garage, or near doors and windows, carbon monoxide is a genuine risk with any petrol or diesel generator.

Quick Checklist

Start and run under load, not just idle
Check oil level and top up or change if due
Petrol models: check spark plug and air filter
Electric start: confirm battery holds charge
Drain and replace old fuel
Store enough fuel safely for an extended outage
Know what you're powering and have leads/transfer switch ready
Always run outdoors, never indoors or near windows and doors

Browse our full range of Generators, including Portable Diesel Generators and Portable Petrol Generators. If you're getting your property ready for the season ahead, check out our Pre-Fire Season Checklist too.