A generator ensures comfort and safety during the absence of grid power. It can power the essentials of your home or the whole house, depending on its size. A generator is helpful, especially in a longer power outage.
It can maintain the normalcy of your life, and it will provide the necessary power so that you can get done your daily tasks.
As per Generator Review, when you own a generator, it is critical to know the risk factors associated with it, how to safely operate it, and where you can place it to get the best results. Also, you should know how long you can run a generator continuously. Can you run it continuously overnight?
In this post, all those questions are answered. Keep reading to know more.
How to Properly Place a Portable Generator?
First, a generator should always be placed on flat ground. Avoid surfaces with a slope. A tilted generator can inflict major damages on itself.
When a generator stays at an angle, there are chances that a fuel level detector may see a low amount of fuel as full, it will give the wrong reading to the mechanism, and the generator will keep working even when it should stop because of low fuel.
Moreover, it is not a good idea to put it anywhere, wherever you see a flat surface. It should be near the transfer switch connection outlet so that you can easily connect it to the house.
If that is not possible, then you should have a connection cable of proper length and gauge. A generator should always be put outside, don’t ever make a mistake of running it inside; there is a risk of CO poisoning.
It will be good if you have a shelter with proper air ventilation near your home, it will make things easier, and it will keep the generator safe from rain and snow. Also, check whether you have any laws regarding generator placement; if there are, then you will have to plan according to them.
How To Safely Use A Generator?
If you don’t want any accident to happen then you should know what things to keep in mind to safely operate a generator.
First, proper placement of the generator is important, as we discussed in the last section.
Wherever you place your generator, make sure that there is no still water and moisture around the generator, it increases the risk of electrocution whoever comes into contact with that water.
Plus, the water will damage the cord insulation, and if it goes into open outlets, then it might create a short circuit.
Even if there is no water, the cords should be arranged properly, and you can’t just put them anywhere. Someone might trip on it.
And, accidentally, if it is pulled, then the cord or outlet may get damaged. If you can’t avoid placing them in the open or in a pathway, then you can put some indicators on them, like a small flag.
For most of the time, there won’t be anyone to monitor the generator, and if it runs for 10 hours, you can’t sit there for 10 hours; keep an eye on it. So, before you leave it on its own, make sure that it will stay where it is placed and won’t cause any kind of accident.
That being said, you will also need to make sure that its surrounding is clean and has sufficient air ventilation before you leave it.
In the end, if you want to keep your generator working as new for an extended time, then maintain it regularly and thoroughly. It is also a good idea to have it maintained by a professional once a year.
Can You Run A Generator Continuously Overnight?
Well, Yes, why not? You can run a generator continuously overnight. Just make sure you have the right unit to do so because not all generators are capable of running continuously for 10 to 12 hours.
A generator with up to 8 hours runtime, as the company claimed, will run only for 6 to 7 hours depending on the load and other conditions.
Our suggestion is if you intend to use it overnight, then get the generator which offers a runtime of 14 to 15 hours. Increased runtime means a bigger fuel tank and increased price point, so be ready for it. It is better to have a bigger tank than to wake in the middle of the night for refueling.
A generator with this runtime, during heavy rain and a blackout, can keep your house electrified.
But, in these extreme weather conditions, you will need to make sure that the generator stays safe from the rain. Water dripping down the engine and the power outlets is not a good thing. You can build a shelter with a roof outside your house.
Problems Associated With Generator Use
The main two problems with a generator are carbon monoxide poisoning and its noise. If you want your generator to run overnight, then you should keep these two in mind.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
An accumulation of carbon monoxide will prove to be deadly if inhaled for long. It is dangerous to your health. What makes it more dangerous are its properties. It is colorless, it is odorless, and it is tasteless. You won’t even know if it is present around you.
So to be safe from it, place your generator at a minimum of 20 feet distance from your house. Moreover, you can install CO detectors in your house. It will notify you when it will detect the CO inside the house, giving you time to evacuate.
Noise
This is not a health hazard but more of an inconvenience, and some might say it a nuisance. You don’t want your generator to create noise that reaches the third house. You want power at night but also want a peaceful sleep.
A noisy generator will not only disturb you, but it will also disturb your neighbors as well. It's recommended that you buy a quiet portable generator or take some measures to reduce the noise level.
Conclusion
Now you know, a generator can operate overnight, but you will have to keep these things in mind to ensure safety and comfort.
With the knowledge of safety precautions and proper placement of a generator, there are very few chances of any accidents happening.
If you know what you are doing, then you have nothing to worry about.
