A generator is a piece of equipment that comes very handy during a storm or a power blackout. For optimal usability and convenience, the generator will need the right accessories based on its type, model, and voltage. There are those accessories that are a must for safe usage, and there those essentials ideal for keeping your generator running efficiently and safely for years to come.
Without these accessories, the generator, or rather your investment, could breakdown cost you hundreds of dollars in repairs. It’d be best to get them ready in your garage or storage to protect the generator from such inconveniences and allow it to perform as you want to. Without further ado, let me introduce the 15 best generator accessories you need for your generator.
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#1. Transfer Switch Kit
A transfer switch is the most crucial device when hooking up your generator to your house. Yes, for some people, the shortcut of using an interlock device or a hookup device might have worked for them, but that carries lots of risks. It’s a requirement you install a transfer switch to your home backup power line.
What does it do? It helps in switching between the central power line and the backup power line. It’s a perfect way to prevent electrocution of any person working on the line, back-feeding and protects your appliances. It does also help you prioritize which devices and appliances you need to run with the backup power.
Transfer switches are of two different types. There are manual and automatic transfer switches. Both work the same way, but they do have their differences.
Automatic Transfer Switch
As the name suggests, an automatic transfer switch does things automatically; you do not have to do anything for it to shift the power safely. It turns the electricity supply from the grid off and switches on the generator power.
Once the power is restored, the automatic transfer switch restores the grid and automatically shuts down the generator. It’s an excellent way to deal with power outages. The device is mostly applicable in applications that require a high power generator or an area that experience more power outages.
Manual Transfer Switch
The manual transfer switch is the most common among most people that use portable generators. With this transfer switch, you have to flip it yourself manually, when the power is lost and when it’s restored. The functionality is the same; you have to shut the main power line to generator power and vice versa when the power gets restored.
You have to follow the instruction provided by the technician after installation of the transfer switch. It’s recommended you spread your essential devices over several circuits but using the same main transfer switch. It allows you to manually adjust the appliances you need to be powered by the portable generator.
#2. Generator Power Cord
Generators must breathe. Before you can start the generator, you need to place it at least 15-feet away from the buildings and large static objects. You also have to position the exhaust pipe so that the fumes produce never pollute the nearby doors, windows, alleyways, or corridors. What’s more, the poisonous gas, carbon monoxide, and fumes produced by the generator engine can drift indoors and cause a health hazard.
For that reason, you need extension cords to help you hook up the generator to your house via an ideal location while you ensure the electricity is safe. Since most generators operate outdoors, you need a heavy-duty generator power cord designed to handle extreme weather conditions. It should be compatible with your generator power.
The generator power cord should also have two very different plugs. On one end, there needs to be a female plug that connects to the hookup point on the wall or RV outlet, and the other end, a male plug that connects to the generator outlet. Get a model with a reasonable length for convenient installation and operation.
#3. Fuel Stabilizer
Fuel is an active agent that can gum up or cause corrosion. A fuel stabilizer prevents that from happening. It’s an essential accessory required for portable generators that run on gasoline or diesel. If you use your generator without a fuel stabilizer, you have to drain the fuel tank when not in use. That can be a hassle and a messy routine. The best, user-friendly way of protecting the fuel is to use a fuel stabilizer.
It needs to be added while refueling the generator to prevent the fuel stabilizer from staling the fuel fresh again. You do not need the fuel stabilizer if you’re using a solar, natural, or propane-fueled generator.
#4. Battery Charger
If you have a generator with an electric start, that means it requires a charged battery for a more comfortable, seamless start. A generator battery charger is a useful accessory as it allows you to charge your battery quietly and quickly. Most of these devices are readily available and quite affordable.
Most people skip acquiring a battery charger as they think it is not essential. That can be a mistake when your generator battery runs out. In such a situation, the generator won’t start leaving you powerless when you need it most.
What you also need to know is, you cannot buy any battery charger you come across. It would help if you considered the charger’s output. Do you need a 12V or 24V battery charger? That is determined by the capacity and type of your generator battery.
If you’re planning to keep the charger connected during the generator startup, you should get a short-circuit protection. Another thing you need to consider while buying a generator battery charger is the style of mounting. Will you mount it, leave it loose, or both?
It would help if you also thought about the location of your generator. If your power generator is in a remote location and rarely inspects it, you need a charger with a fail alarm. The alarm will send you an alert to the generator controller, and it will relay the fail message to you, alarming you there us a problem.
The best part about generator chargers is, the best model can lower the charging voltage when your battery reaches the fully charged state. That way, it won’t damage your generator battery. Another thing, most of these battery chargers can charge batteries found in cars, trucks, or boats.
#5. Maintenance kit
Like most of the machines, a generator has moving parts, and with all the vibrations, it does need scheduled maintenance and regular servicing. A generator maintenance kit comes with all the tools required for ideal generator servicing. And what you need is a good maintenance kit is one of those generator accessories that keep your investment going for another year without minting your money.
The necessary accessories contained in a maintenance kit:
Air Filters: they will help you replace the dirty ones to ensure your generator gets proper and clean air circulation every time.
Oil Filter: it will help you remove any contaminant from the generator’s engine oil that can accumulate over time while the oil cleans the engine.
Spark plugs: with time, the spark plugs in your generator will wear out, and you will have to replace them. A maintenance kit will contain new spark plugs you can use to replace old ones. You need to change the spark plugs after 100 hours of use.
Oil: You will also get oil suitable for the generator you will use to change the dirty used-up oil. It needs to be changed every 50 – 60 hours of use.
#6. Generator Protective Cover
When it comes to protecting your generator from scratches, wear, and tear while running or in storage, you need a protective cover. It also comes in handy in protecting the generator from moisture, rain, fog, winds, and even snow.
Unfortunately, it’s not often you come across a generator that comes with a cover. When searching for the best generator cover, you should get something comfortable to wear it up and secure to the generator. The framing should also be vital to hold the cover up the generator.
#7. Sound Reducing Muffler
Except for the inverter generator, most generators come packed with all the operating noises that need to reduce, especially if you live in a residential area. That is why you need this next accessory, a sound-reducing muffler. It’s a crucial investment as it works as a replacement to the loose or damaged as time passes.
When picking your model, the installation needs to be easy, or you will need to hire a technician to do the dirty work. Another thing, you need to get a muffler that suits your generator and something long-lasting.
#8. Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVRs)
Among the most necessary generator accessories you should know about is an AVR. What? An automatic voltage regulator. If you’re using a regular generator and not an inverter generator, you will need one to protect your sensitive appliances and device. It will maintain the generator’s voltage at a stable, reliable rate.
The small electronic device is placed on the alternator to monitor the power output. It will help maintain your generator’s electrical output terminal voltage automatically within the set parameters. The device is mostly found in a diesel generator. It’s a perfect way to maintain constant voltage through conditioning the generator. It also helps in maintaining the power load directed to your sensitive electric devices.
#9. Wheel Kit
The next accessory is a wheel kit that allows you to move with the generator around. Yes, you might be having a portable model, but it lacks the wheels. That means you have to lift it every time you want to move it around. That can be a real hassle for you. I would advise you to get an ideal wheel kit built for your generator.
If you cannot find any from your generator brand, you can decide to buy a universal generator cart designed for your size generator. The tires need to be ideally sized for use in places you plan of using the generator in. No flat tires are more superior to other types as they are reliable and durable.
#10. Remote Wireless Start
Imagine you’ve gone camping with your portable generator, and it’s in the middle of the night, and you need to stop the generator. Or you might be in your RV, and your generator isn’t running, but you want to make some coffee early in the morning. In the first scenario, you have to get out of your warm bed to shut off the generator unless you have a wireless remote start. The same applies to the second scenario.
A wireless remote start will make it convenient for you to start your generator in the comfort of your home, tent, or RV. All you need is to make sure the battery stays charged and install the right remote wireless start. Some generators come with the system already installed. In this case, you don’t have to get a separate model.
#11. Cold-Weather Kit
One problem many generator owners living in those cold areas is the problem of starting their generators. And if you live in those areas with cold weather, you need a cold-weather kit to make it easier and convenient to start your generator in such weather.
The kit comes with an oil heater plus a battery warmer. The battery warmer is placed below your generator battery to heat it when the temperatures are too low. On the other side, the oil heater comes in a crankcase similar to a heater to heat the oil, thus prohibiting oil solidifying.
#12. Generator Parallel Kit
Those high power generators might not need a generator parallel kit. What’s right, they aren’t parallel capable since they offer high power. However, when it comes to small models such as a 1000-watt generator, most of them are parallel capable. Why? They allow you to connect another generator of a similar type to almost double the power output.
That’s where the generator parallel kit comes in. While some generators come with this kit, some brands offer it as a separate purchase. It’s an accessory you’ll need if your current generator is not fulfilling your power needs.
Final Note!
There are a lot of generator accessories out there, depending on your generator model and build. I have only given you a list of the must-have accessories you can get to improve your generator performance and reliability. What’s more, these accessories will make your generator usability seamless and more comfortable to operate.
