When you invest in a standby generator, you make the investment because you want it to provide you with power during a power outage.

As has been demonstrated time and time again throughout the country, there are times when the power can be out for very long periods of time. In areas where tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes have occurred, the power can be out for weeks at a time. Although Minnesota doesn’t really see earthquakes and never sees a hurricane, wind storms and tornadoes happen and the power outages can last a while.

During a prolonged power outage, you may need to give your generator a break. Air cooled generators, especially need a break and you can talk to your generator installer about the frequency in which you would need to give an air cooled generator a break during a prolonged outage. The reason why air cooled needs a break is because the engine can get hot. How long that break is needed will depend on how hot the engine is and the specifications of the brand.

Note: Some individuals give their generator a break when they are not home or they are sleeping.

Liquid cooled can go quite a while without needing a break. Again, you will want to discuss with your generator installer what kind of break and/or attention your liquid cooled generator would need during a prolonged power outage. There are filters and other components that may need attention. Having your generator company monitor your unit remotely or you having a unit you can monitor through a mobile app or on your computer can help ensure your generator is in good health during a prolonged run.

Even if you have to give your generator a break, the breaks don’t have to leave you without power for long. When you compare the break periods from having to endure the entire outage, the break periods are a bit more bearable.

Whether or not you already have a standby generator, you can ask your installer questions like:

• How often do I need to give my generator a break during an extended outage?
• Does the unit need to be serviced during a prolonged outage?
• What do I need to do to my unit during an extended outage?

There are times that parts of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities have seen extended outages. If your area is prone to them, the above is information you certainly need to know. Even if not prone to them, it doesn’t hurt to ask the questions just in case. If you have a question at any time during an outage, you can call your generator installation company and get the answers that you need so that you are being proactive in preserving the health of your generator.