4 Steps to Take as Soon as Your Portable Generator Arrives

Whether your portable generator will be used to supply power during a blackout, for outdoor activities, or both, taking the following steps once it arrives will ensure that your new power source is operated safely and efficiently.

* Select the locations where your generator will be positioned – This is a critical step regardless of how your generator will be used. You’ll want to plan its positioning so that it does not expose people to carbon monoxide emissions while also having it close enough for extension cords to reach the appliances, lighting or equipment that the generator will power. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as meted out in your operator’s manual to ensure that your generator operates from a safe location.
* If rain is going to be an issue, install a shelter to protect the generator – Electricity and water don’t mix, meaning that if your generator will be running during rainy weather you’ll want to protect it with a well-ventilated shelter. If there is the potential for water to seep in underneath your sheltered generator, elevate it with blocks or a platform to prevent the risk of operation in standing water.
* Buy extension cords rated for heavy loads and exterior use – Determine the items that will be powered by the generator and buy the appropriate number of extension cords. These extension cords will have three prongs and be able to transfer the heavier electrical currents that are produced by the generator. Light duty extension cords can overload quickly, presenting a fire hazard.
* Do a practice run – Before putting your portable generator into action, do a full practice run. If the machine will have to be moved into position, include that task as part of the practice regimen. A dry run can alert you to unforeseen challenges, allowing you to prepare for them in advance.

Taking these steps upon the arrival of your portable generator will allow you to plan for its use. The time spent in preparation can help you avoid the alternative of learning on the fly in the minutes before an event or in the dark after the power goes down.

Common Mistakes made with Generators During Emergencies

Having a generator to provide backup power during an emergency can make the difference between sitting in a cold quiet house waiting for the return of electricity and being able to function on a relatively normal basis regardless of how long it takes for power from the grid to resume. Having a generator, however, does not automatically ensure that the lights will remain on and that appliances will continue to run, especially if some of the common mistakes are committed.

These mistakes include:

• Not having fuel on hand – This mistake usually occurs after the generator has been sitting idle for a while. Proper maintenance calls for tanks to be emptied prior to extended periods of non-use, which can result in an “out of sight, out of mind” situation where the need for fuel isn’t recognized until someone tries to start the generator.
• Not having a sheltered area for the generator – Generators cannot be run indoors or in a garage due to the emission of carbon monoxide. They also can’t be run with direct exposure to water, meaning that there should be a dedicated shelter to protect the generator from the elements. Without a shelter, a generator can’t be run until rain stops, which can leave a household in the dark until weather passes.
• Forgetting where extension cords are stored – Running a portable generator requires extension cords to be connected to the items that will be powered during an outage. While it may be tempting to use them for other purposes, have extension cords stored in a specific location that will only be used for the generator.  
• Forgetting about maintenance – A generator will require some maintenance, especially if it hasn’t been in operation recently. Follow the maintenance protocols in the operators’ manual to ensure that your Honda generator starts when you need it.

Avoiding these mistakes can make sure that your generator can do exactly what you bought it for. Otherwise, that generator that could be powering your house in an emergency may just sit around until you can get it to work after the storm moves on.

4 Tips for the Safe Use of Portable Generators to Power Open Air Events

As summer approaches, the uses for portable generators increase as families head out for camping trips, throw outdoor birthday parties, and host other open-air events. Here are 4 tips that will make sure you get all the power you need in the safest manner possible:

•  Fill the tank – Topping up the fuel tank prior to use can reduce the chances that you’ll need to re-fuel during an event. The problem with re-fueling is that the generator should be allowed to cool down before fuel is added to the tank to prevent ignition caused when the fuel comes in contact with a sizzling-hot surface.

• Keep the portable generator down-wind from the event – An outdoor venue should provide plenty of ventilation but locating the generator down-wind from the gathering can ensure that people aren't exposed to emissions.

• If rain is in the forecast put up a shelter to keep the generator dry – Operating a generator in wet conditions always adds a level of danger so protect it with a shelter or canopy and make sure that extensions cords are not exposed to water. 

• Keep children away – Generators are fascinating machines, especially for small children. Make sure that your portable generator is out of reach or that a parent is positioned to keep children from getting too close.

Being out in the open-air is one of the treats of summer. These tips can help to make sure that your open-air events are powered efficiently and safely.

Selecting the Right Honda Generator for Your Needs

Selecting the right Honda generator for you needs starts with the determination of what types of appliances and/or equipment will need to be powered in situations where grid provided electricity is not available. These needs can range from recreational uses to the necessity of delivering electricity during extended power outages caused by extreme weather.

For recreational uses, portable Honda generators can provide plenty of power whether being used for outdoor events, camping, or for recreational vehicles. For these situations, Honda’s EU2000iA can deliver enough electricity for large power tools, microwaves, and kitchen appliances.

At the top end of power needs, “whole house” generators can power everything from medical equipment to home theater and everything in between. Powering an entire house may not be necessary, however, and the wide variety of Honda generators means that you get customize a solution to power exactly what you need to in the case of an outage or a blackout.

By defining the appliances and the circuits they are connected to, a minimum power requirement can be determined which can then assist in the selection of the right sized Honda generator. This list can start with anything from toasters to higher usage equipment but must include the following as these appliances typically use the greatest amount of power and will play the largest role in determining the generator that can provide the solution you will require.

These appliances include:

* Electric heaters
* Electric water heaters
* Air conditioners
* Refrigerators and freezers
* Medical equipment
* Electric dryers
* Well pumps
* Electric stoves

The power required by these appliances can then be totaled to see the type and size of generator that would be required. Also to be considered is whether there is a necessity for powering sensitive electronic equipment such as computers, printers, scanners, etc. If this type of equipment is going to be powered, selecting a Honda generator with inverter technology is advised due to level load of electricity which is delivered. Inverter technology uses microprocessors to deliver power to the exact level of demand which can greatly improve performance and drastically reduce the risk of computer crashes. Honda Inverter technology is a relatively new development in generators which has added a new level of performance for those that require precisely measured power delivery.

Three Things to Consider When Buying a Residential Standby Generator

Residential Standby Generators serve two purposes; automatically starting in the event of a power outage and delivering essential electrical power to designated appliances, rooms, tools, and devices. There are several issues to consider when the decision comes down to choosing a residential standby generator versus a portable unit. They are:

* The biggest difference between these types of generators from portable units, besides mobility, is that Residential Standby Generators are generally designed to remain connected to the home’s circuitry through the main electric panel. This allows for a generator to power up either automatically, via an automatic transfer switch, or by push button at the onset of a power outage. A portable unit, on the other hand, could require fueling, a rollout from storage, and connection to the home’s circuitry. For a residential standby generator, an automatic switch to generated power normally takes between ten to thirty seconds. A push button start takes about the same time once the generator has been turned on. An added advantage to a residential standby Honda Generator is that the addition of a USB battery accessory can ensure that power remains on during the changeover to generated power. This is essential for a range of uses ranging from preserving data on a computer to delivering uninterrupted power to an at-home medical device.

* Advances in portable power generation have increased power output levels to the point where power delivery can rival the smaller residential standby generators. Still, depending on power requirements and other factors, going with a stationary generator can be the logical choice. Here, there are two considerations, the first one being the power requirements for appliances, rooms, and devices which must remain on during an outage. Refrigerators and air conditioners, for example, require heavy wattage for both startup and running time. The addition of other power needs can easily mandate the higher power output of a residential standby generator. The second consideration is whether a generator which meets the needs of the home can easily be moved into place in the event of an outage. The weight of the unit, severity of local weather, and the difficulty of moving a portable from storage to the main electrical panel must be taken into account.

* Another consideration is the expected run time of the generator. Smaller portable generators, for example, have run times at full capacity of approximately four hours. In an extended outage, a portable could require refueling several times. Under a variety of circumstances, this may not be an option. Residential standby generators, conversely, can be connected to a natural gas line, allowing for run times as long as power remains down and eliminating the need to refuel.

Honda’s full line of portable and residential standby generators can meet the power needs for any home anywhere. For more information, visit us at: Honda Power Equipment