Generator repair and maintenance

A generator only helps if it starts

A standby generator can sit for months without running for real. Then a hurricane comes through and it's expected to carry your house for days. The time to find a weak battery, old oil or a failed part is before the storm, not during it, when every technician in eastern North Carolina already has a waiting list.

Eastern NC Generators connects you with a licensed electrical contractor and authorized Generac sales and service dealer who services Generac home standby generators. They handle the routine yearly service, pre-hurricane-season checkups, and repairs when something has gone wrong. Service and repair are for Generac generators only.

What annual maintenance covers

Generator manufacturers call for maintenance at set intervals, either yearly or after a certain number of running hours, whichever comes first. After a long outage, the hours add up quickly, so a unit that ran for a week after a storm may be due for service right away. A typical maintenance visit includes:

• Oil and oil filter change. The engine's oil breaks down with running hours and with time.
• Air filter. Checked and replaced as needed. Pollen, dust and debris from yard work clog them.
• Spark plugs. Inspected and replaced on schedule.
• Battery test. The battery starts the engine. It's the single most common reason a standby generator fails to start, and batteries wear out after a few years even when the unit is rarely used.
• Transfer switch check. Connections inspected and a test transfer done to confirm the switch moves your house to generator power and back.
• Fuel system. Gas connections checked for leaks, and the regulator and line inspected. For propane, the tank level confirmed.
• Enclosure and surroundings. Vegetation, ant nests, mud-dauber nests and debris cleared from the vents and enclosure. Small animals like to move into a warm, quiet generator.
• Controller and software. Fault history reviewed, firmware updated where it applies, exercise schedule confirmed.
• Load test. The generator is run under load to confirm it actually carries the house rather than just starting.

Before hurricane season

Hurricane season runs from June through November, and the busiest stretch in eastern North Carolina is usually August through October. A spring service visit, in April or May, gets your generator checked before demand spikes and leaves time to order any parts. If your unit is on propane, it's also a good time to have your propane supplier top off the tank.

Common generator problems

Calls for repair usually start with one of these:

• Won't start. Often a weak or dead battery, a tripped breaker, the controller left in "off", or a fuel supply problem such as a closed valve or empty propane tank.
• Starts but shuts down. Low oil, overheating, an overload, or a fuel supply that can't keep up because the gas line or meter is undersized.
• Fault or warning on the controller. The code tells the technician where to start. If the unit is connected to remote monitoring, the alert may have arrived on your phone before you noticed anything.
• Didn't exercise. If the weekly or bi-weekly self-test stopped happening, something has changed with the battery, controller settings or the unit itself.
• Didn't transfer. The generator runs but the house stays dark. That points to the transfer switch or its wiring.
• Rough running or strange noises. Worn spark plugs, ignition issues, or debris inside the enclosure.
• Storm or flood damage. Generators that were underwater or hit by debris need a full inspection before they're run again.

Don't try to repair the inside of a standby generator yourself. It has high-voltage connections, automatic starting and a live fuel supply. Simple checks are fine: confirm the controller is in auto, the main breaker on the generator is on, and the fuel valve is open. Beyond that, call.

Repair after a long outage

After an extended outage, a generator may have run for hundreds of hours in a few days. That's what it's built for, but it can bring the next oil change forward, show a worn battery or reveal a part that was close to failing. If your generator carried you through a storm, have it serviced afterward so it's ready for the next one.

Replacing a generator that's past repair

If an older generator can't be repaired economically, or no longer covers what your household needs, the dealer can quote a replacement and reuse the gas line, pad or transfer switch where they're still suitable. A replacement follows the same steps as a new installation.

Maintenance plans

Many owners prefer a yearly maintenance plan so they don't have to remember. The dealer schedules the visit, does the service and keeps a record. Plans and pricing vary; ask when you call.

Areas we cover

Repair and maintenance visits are available across eastern North Carolina, including Kinston, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Washington, Havelock, Greenville, New Bern, Jacksonville, and Wilson. See the full service area. For a new system, see whole house generator installation.