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Maintain the generator and stock its spares

A generator that has not been run, serviced and fed fresh fuel often fails on the day you need it.

How

1. Follow your owner's manual first. Champion gives a typical pattern: first oil change after the 5-hour break-in, then about every 100 hours, halved in hot or dusty conditions.
2. Check oil, look for leaks and clear the air intake before every start.
3. Inspect the air filter before each use and the spark plug at each 100-hour service; Champion suggests replacing the plug yearly.
4. Run it under load for 15 to 20 minutes once a month (Champion).
5. Stock spares for at least your autonomy tier: oil, oil filter if fitted, air filter, spark plugs, fuel filter, pull cord, spark arrestor screen and a spare set of fuses for the output panel. CISA advises keeping parts on hand when they are not quick to obtain.
6. Have a small-engine mechanic check valves and governor every one to two years while services exist (Champion).
7. Log every run hour, service and fault in the logbook (living-18).

Safety: Let the engine cool before servicing. Hot oil and exhaust parts burn.

Sources

1. Portable generator maintenance schedule and checklist. Champion Power Equipment, accessed 2026-11
2. Ten Steps of Resilient Power. US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), accessed 2026-11

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