David Seip

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Generators, like any engine, require preparation before they're ready to be used regularly. Follow this guide for how to break in a generator. Shop Commercial Diesel Generators on AbsoluteGenerators.com.

If you are about to become the first-time user of a generator, there are some important tips to keep in mind as you prepare your new unit.  Whether you are prepping a generator to support a business in the event of power loss or about to fire up your generator at home after a major storm, keep these tips in mind to help avoid both generator damage and injury or loss of life.

Do's

• Do plan ahead for how much power you will need to draw from the generator.  It is important to have a generator that can produce more power than you think you will need in order to avoid overload.  If you read our post on how a generator works, remember that every new load that draws on the generator will cause it to work harder to make up for that power use, so plan ahead for what needs to run on the generator.
• Do keep your extension cords in good condition.  Using frayed cords or cords that are not grounded could result in danger of fire or electric shock.  It is also important here to keep in mind how much power the cord can handle—overloading a multi-plug extension cord can be just as dangerous as overloading an electrical plug inside your home.
• Do keep extra fuel on hand for your generator and exercise caution when refueling.  Make sure your generator cools before adding fuel, and never refuel around anything that might cause the fuel to ignite. 
• Do follow all manufacturer directions and local regulations related to your unit.  If you’re not sure, ask for help!

Don'ts

• Don't try to use your generator in wet environments. This may seem difficult after a disaster like a floor or hurricane, but this could result in electrocution as well as damage to your generator. Make sure you can keep it somewhere dry and covered, and never touch it while you yourself are wet. 
• Don't ever run your generator inside or too close to your home. One of the leading causes of death post-disaster is carbon monoxide poisoning, so follow these tips to avoid become a statistic: 
  – A good rule of thumb is to keep your generator at least 30 feet from any inhabited structure. 
  -- Any covering over your generator should give it at least four feet of clearance. 
  -- If you are permanently installing a generator, be sure to check local regulations and exercise all precautions to avoid releasing carbon monoxide into an occupied area. 
• Don't plug your generator directly into an electric socket.  This can create extreme danger for electrocution for you and others, as well as cause damage to your home.

Visit this Red Cross page for more safety tips related to post-disaster generator use.  We also have an easy to read Generator Wattage Chart to help you determine the typical wattage of appliances and tools in your home, and our How to Choose a Generator page can help you select the right model for your needs.  Give us a call and one of our Application Specialists will be more than happy to assist you.

Commercial backup generators provide security when the power infrastructure fails. Shop commercial backup generators from Absolute Generators.

Finding a reliable, quiet professional grade jobsite generator that is still capable of running your power tools and other equipment, while not damaging workers hearing, can be a difficult task. Many generators operate at decibel levels that are above what is safe for the human ear. And not only is safety involved, at times the jobsite itself may require lower noise levels due to location to other places of business and other concerns. Most quiet jobsite generators are actually inverter generators which employ advanced technology that not only keeps the decibel level lower, but also can help with fuel efficiency by throttling power based on power needs.

One of the most durable quiet professional jobsite portable generators we sell is the Kubota Lowboy II GL7000. This is a new and improved Lowboy II model from Kubota, a worldwide company also well known for their tractors and lawn equipment. While some noisy generators used on jobsites are actually a safety threat to workers’ hearing – this generator is extremely quiet at only 66 dB. That’s less than the volume of an average vacuum cleaner!

Avoid tugging away at a starter cord: the Lowboy II’s electric starter uses the included battery to fire up for the day’s work. The 7.4 gallon tank can keep you going for up to 10 hours at its top prime power output of 6500 watts, and the 10.9 horsepower liquid cooled engine can handle any job size. Easily portable with a tow point or fork lift pockets or you can further increase the ease of moving your generator from site to site with an optional wheel kit to remove one more potential worker injury pain point.

This quiet jobsite generator is a great choice for food service industry users as well. The quiet, liquid-cooled diesel engine provides consistent power without interfering with customer and employee communications. In addition, it offers lower maintenance costs in the long run than comparable air-cooled models. Make the most of your initial investment with the longevity offered by this high quality, easy to use generator.

Find out more about Kubota Lowboy Generators here, or contact us today at 888-264-2189 for more information on how a quiet jobsite generators can help solve your power problems!