MILWAUKEE, Oct. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- According to
the Farmers' Almanac, the winter of 2015-2016 is expected to be a
repeat of last year with unseasonably cold temperatures across much
of the United States. Briggs &
Stratton® (NYSE: BGG) is urging property owners to
prepare now for possible power outages by inspecting and tuning up
portable generators before winter snow and ice storms strike.
"Don't wait until it is zero degrees and the power goes out,"
said Dan Roche, director of
marketing for Briggs & Stratton's Portable Power and Cleaning
Systems division. "Because portable generators are not typically
used unless the electricity goes off, it is important that users
inspect, tune up and are prepared to safely use their generator
before a power outage occurs."
Following are five inspection and tune-up tips for portable
generator use provided by Briggs & Stratton Portable Power.
- Think About Fuel. If you have your generator in storage
and do not plan to use it within 30 days, stabilize the gas with
fuel stabilizer like Briggs & Stratton®
Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment and Stabilizer. Add the
stabilizer according to package directions and then run your
generator for a few minutes to circulate the solution through the
carburetor. Briggs & Stratton's fuel preserver keeps fuel fresh
for up to 36 months. This is also a good time to rotate your fuel
supply. Pour the gas from your stored fuel into the car and then
fill up the gas cans with fresh fuel, again adding fuel stabilizer
for storage.
- Change Your Generators Oil. Make sure your Briggs &
Stratton Portable Generator has enough oil to keep it running
smoothly and improve your engine's lifespan. Many generators shut
down automatically to protect the engine if the level gets too low.
To keep yours protected and ready-to-go for a winter storm or home
emergency, check the oil level whenever you add fuel by referencing
the dipstick and filling to the full marker. Keep a few quarts of
oil on hand in case of emergencies. Refer to your engine manual and
the Briggs & Stratton Engine Oil
Recommendation page for exact specifications.
- Inspect Replaceable Parts Regularly. In addition to
the engine oil, check out the carburetor, air filter, fuel filter
and spark plug regularly according to the portable generator owner
manual. Maintain your generator according to the maintenance
schedule for peak performance and safety.
- Get a Transfer Switch. A manual transfer switch is the
best way to use a portable generator for emergency use, as it is a
generator to connect directly to a home's electrical system to
power furnaces, refrigerators, pumps and more. When engaged, a
manual transfer switch isolates the generator power from the
incoming utility lines, which is important to not endanger utility
line workers and ensure the generator is not overloaded. A
dedicated cable connects the generator to the transfer switch
through an inlet box. This method protects the integrity of a
home's electrical wiring, safeguards the generator and eliminates
running multiple extension cords from the generator into the
house.
- Know How, Where and With What. Keep a flashlight
handy so that you will be able to find your way to your generator
and learn to start, adjust and shut off your generator to make sure
you are familiar with how you will operate it when there is a power
outage. Running your generator occasionally will not only help you
learn to use it, but will also keep the engine
well-lubricated.
Also be sure to think about where
you will place the generator when you do need to use it. Do not run
a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, basements, sheds or
similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows
for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide (CO) can quickly
build up in these spaces and can linger for hours, even after the
generator has shut off. Place the unit outside and far from doors,
windows, vents and other openings that could allow CO to come
indoors or be drawn into potentially occupied spaces. Direct the
engine exhaust away from potentially occupied spaces.
Determine what appliances you will
be able to power with the generator's wattage guide in addition to
having an adequate supply of fresh gasoline.
For more personal and equipment safety tips when using a
portable generator, visit www.briggsandstratton.com. For safe
generator usage, visit www.pgmaonline.com.
About Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Briggs &
Stratton Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the world's largest
producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. Its
wholly owned subsidiaries include North
America's number one marketer of pressure washers, and it is
a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of power generation,
lawn and garden, turf care and job site products through its Briggs
& Stratton®, Simplicity®, Snapper®, Snapper Pro® Ferris®,
PowerBoss®, Allmand™, Billy Goat®, Murray®, Branco® and Victa®
brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured,
marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on six continents. For
additional information, please visit www.basco.com and
www.briggsandstratton.com.
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SOURCE Briggs & Stratton Corporation