Winterize your portable generator

As fall chills on, some RVers may be thinking about 'wrapping it up for the season.' Much has been said about winterizing your RV, but what about winterizing your portable RV generator? This tip list applies specifically to the Honda EU series portable generators popular among many RVers, but the principles apply to many other portable watt-makers.

The biggest threat to your generator during the off-season is from fuel deterioration. Stale gas can make for hard starting, rough running, or just plain old everyday breakdown. It's essential to take care of the fuel system when doing a lay-up.

First, never run gasoline with a concentration of ethanol greater than 10 percent. Not only is ethanol corrosive, it also tends to attract water molecules from the air, right on into the fuel.

Next, depending on how long before you'll run the generator again, here's the lowdown. IF you'll be running the generator again sometime in the next two months, follow this procedure:

Take out your fuel supply can. Start with fresh fuel, not whatever you have left on hand. With all respects to the toad car, we simply dump the leftover genny fuel into the car tank. Now, with fresh gas, add fuel stabilizer according to the label on the stabilizer container.

Fill up the generator fuel tank with this fresh, stabilized gas. With the generator out of doors, fire it up and run for ten minutes. Shut down the generator, and after it has cooled down, refill the generator tank and firmly close the fuel cap. It's best to store the generator and the fuel can in a cool, dry area.

If you won't be using the generator for two to twelve months, then follow the above instructions, and also -- drain the generator carburetor as directed by your owner's manual.

If you won't be using the generator for more than a year you need to get all the fuel out of the system. In addition to draining the carburetor, you'll need to get fuel out of the tank. If the owner manual doesn't provide information on how to do that, then here are a couple of options. Carefully tip the generator and SAFELY dump the old fuel into a catch container (and then off to the car?). Others use a siphon system (NOT using your mouth to start the siphon) to remove the old fuel from the tank.