Whether you’re using them for leisure or in an emergency, generators provide a simple way to produce electricity wherever you need it. But using these machines isn’t always straightforward. You may be wondering, can generators overheat?
Yes, generators can overheat for a number of reasons. Overheating your generator is not only dangerous, but it could shorten its lifespan.
If your generator is overheating, you should take all the necessary steps to fix the problem. In the rest of this article, I’ll talk about what could be causing your generator to overheat and how to fix it.
Why Do Generators Overheat?
When a generator overheats, it will likely radiate a lot of heat and make a lot of noise. Most modern generators are equipped with a gauge so you can monitor the temperature, and some shut off automatically when they get too hot. But what is causing this? Depending on the generator you have, there could be several reasons.
Generators try to reduce the heat they produce in a few different ways. They use fans, coolant systems, and heat sinks to prevent overheating. If any one of these systems is faulty, that could overheat your generator.
Unfortunately, there are many more reasons why your generator could be overheating. Here are a few more to consider:
- Dirty components
- Blocked/damaged exhaust
- Electrical issues
- Damaged part (fan, tube, etc)
- Low oil level
- Faulty cooling system
Luckily, many of these problems are easy to fix. I’ll explain how you could fix these issues in a later section. But first, what happens if you don’t fix your overheating generator?
What Happens If A Generator Overheats?
Generators are designed to maintain a certain temperature. If a generator gets too hot, the heat can damage internal components. Overheating can:
- Warp the rotor
- Melt internal components
- Wear down bearings
- Damage the cooling system
Fixing or replacing these components can be costly. If they aren’t replaced quickly, they could cause more damage to your machine. Ultimately, that’s more money on parts that you probably don’t want to spend!
It’s best to fix or replace components as soon as you notice your generator overheating. You’ll get more use out of your generator, and you’ll save money in the long run! Parts should be available to purchase from the manufacturer, but you should also shop around online.
Unfortunately, that’s not all that could go wrong. Overheating a generator can significantly shorten its lifespan. In rare cases, your generator may even catch fire! As I said before, it’s best to fix your generator as soon as possible.
Can A Generator Overheat In The Sun?
Your generator produces heat internally, and it’s engineered to dissipate this heat safely. However, external heat from the sun and the environment could be causing your generator to overheat.
A generator’s metal frame and outward-facing parts will all heat up in the sun. External components heating up causes the generator to heat up internally. This can trigger a chain reaction, exponentially growing until your generator overheats.
To prevent this, it’s best to leave your generator in a shaded area with good airflow. The shade and regular airflow will help keep external components cool, preventing your generator from overheating. Good airflow will also prevent the inhalation of exhaust fumes – yuck!
If shade is hard to come by, you could buy a generator cover from the manufacturer. These covers are specially made to fit exactly onto the machine with little hassle. Or, you could build your own! Either way, keep that generator out of the sun.
How Do I Stop My Generator From Overheating?
Below is a list of steps you can take to fix your overheating generator and prevent it from overheating in the future.
General Maintenance
A generator is kind of like a car motor, and it requires similar maintenance. You should change the oil in your generator regularly, about every 100 hours of use. You should also replace the spark plugs and filters – check your manual to see the specific parts you might need.
Finally, you should always store your generators in an empty tank if you don’t plan to use them for over a month. Before packing it away, run it to use all of the remaining oil and let the unit cool. You can use a siphon to get the last of the oil out.
Replace A Faulty Part
Maybe a fan broke or a tube sprung a leak. If a part isn’t working properly that could be causing your generator to overheat.
Most manufacturers will sell replacement parts to your generator. Check your manual for instructions on how to replace that part. The internet is also a helpful resource for replacing parts as well!
Change the Environment
Finally, changing the environment around your generator could prevent it from overheating. As mentioned before, placing your generator in a shelter or shaded area with good airflow can prevent external parts from overheating.
Can Generators Overheat? – FAQ’s
Can A Generator Start A Fire?
There is always the risk of a generator starting a fire, but with proper procedures in place, this can be avoided. Make sure your generator is properly maintained and that its fuel is fresh. Never leave a generator unattended, and be sure to follow all safety guidelines when using it.
However, it is possible for a generator to start a fire especially if they are overloaded. Overloading a generator can cause it to overheat and potentially catch fire.
Generators can also definitely spark fires if they are used improperly- for example, if they are left running while the generator is in use or if there is an electrical short. In addition, generators can also start fires when they are used to power tools or other equipment that produce sparks.
How Do You Put Out A Fire In A Generator?
If your generator has caught on fire, there are several things you can do to put it out.
If the fire is small, then you are best trying to put it out yourself. To do this you can use a fire extinguisher, this is the best way to put out a generator fire. But, you need to make sure that it’s the right king of extinguisher, one with a “C” in its label means it can handle Class C blazes, which consists of generator fires.
You can also douse the fire with baking soda if you have some readily available, or a fire blanket.
If the generator fire is too big for any of these measures, call the emergency services immediately.
Final Thoughts
Generators are essential in today’s world, but like any other piece of equipment, they can overheat. This could lead to serious injury if not properly handled. Make sure to follow all safety guidelines when using a generator, and never leave it unattended. Proper maintenance is essential to keep generators running smoothly and prevent them from overheating.
