10 Must-Have Generator Accessories
Investing in a generator means investing in reliable backup power. To make the most of this investment, you might consider adding the following generator accessories. While some are required, others are simply a great idea that you won't regret.
Portable Generator Accessories
Portable generators have several accessories that will enhance usability and convenience.
Convenience Cords
The only way to get power from a portable generator is to plug appliances into it. The bad part about traditional extension cords, though, is that you have to run several from the outside generator to your indoor items.
Fortunately, there are convenience cords on the market that branch out into multiple outlets. That way, you can run only one cord but connect several items to your generators power. It's a must-have generator accessory if you don't want to be tripping over cords all day!
Generator Enclosure
It's one of the major paradoxes of using a portable generator. You can let it get wet outside (you know, because electricity and water don't mix) but chances are your power outage is happening during a storm. What do you do?
You need a generator enclosure to protect your unit. Generator enclosures come in the form of a tent or covering that goes over your generator to protect it from the elements. They are designed to maintain proper ventilation, unlike homemade covers you might be tempted to throw on there. This generator accessory is another one you really shouldn't go without if you want to rely on backup power in any weather.
Power Transfer System
Power transfer systems allow you to wire your portable generator to your house, which lets you power hardwired items such as your heating system. These systems consist of a manual transfer switch, a power cord, and, when necessary, a power inlet box.
With a power transfer system, you'll simply plug your generator into the transfer switch directly or through the power inlet box and you'll send power to your home's circuits. No other cords required. It's the simplest way to use a portable generator.
Gas Can & Fuel Stabilizer
Never let gas just sit in your generator if you don't plan on using it for weeks or months. Always empty the tank and store any remaining fuel in a gas can. Add fuel stabilizer to the gas to keep it fresh over the time it's being stored. That way, you won't waste fuel or hurt your generator with bad gas.
Standby Generator Accessories
If you have a home standby generator, you already have the best backup power money can buy. However, there are accessories to make it even better!
Generator Pads
Standby generators come equipped with a composite base on the bottom. While it is not required, we highly recommend this generator accessory to raise your generator one grade higher, keeping it level and safe during a torrential downpour.
Generator pads are composed of high-strength fibers and cement, so they won't shift, crack or degrade over time. They also include galvanized bolts for securing your generator directly to the pad.
New to the market are QwikHurricane generator pads. These innovative pads are sold at a weight of 40 pounds for easy transportation. During setup, the installer pours water inside which reacts with a special polymer to form a gel that increases the pad's weight to roughly 330 pounds. You're left with a sturdy and secure generator pad that will protect your standby for years to come.
Batteries
A battery is a required generator accessory. The battery jump starts the standby generator to get the engine running. Otherwise, you need to be home to pull a recoil cord to start it, which totally defeats the purpose of automatic backup power.
To ensure the battery is fresh at time of setup, it's typically not sold pre-installed. Instead, it's often sold as part of a standby generator kit. Otherwise, you need to buy one separately. Learn more about electric generator batteries.
Cold Weather Kits
Your battery will serve you well... as long as it doesn't freeze. If you live in climates where the temperature plummets below freezing for extended periods, you should consider a cold-weather kit as one of your generator accessories.
The kit basically keeps your battery toasty. Plus, it keeps the oil from freezing into sludge. We recommend installing a cold weather kit at the same time your generator is installed.
Generator Monitoring
Generator monitoring utilizes a remote monitoring system attached to your generator. It allows you to check on your standby generator from anywhere in the world via your smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
This system will promptly alert you (or your installer) of a potential problem or service issue, giving you ample time to remedy the situation between outages.
Smart Management Modules
If you want to get the most power for your money, smart management modules are the perfect generator accessory.
Smart management modules connect to individual electric circuits in your home and are each assigned a priority level. The priority level corresponds to the importance of the load during a power outage, and the modules manage what comes on or off depending on what the generator can handle.
For example, suppose you connect a module to the circuit controlling your fridge and assign it priority one. The modules will work to make sure the fridge is always powered, even if it means cutting power to lower priority items, such as your toaster. By managing power, the modules potentially let you save money by buying a smaller-size generator than you might otherwise need.
Lift Gate Service
Standby generator systems don't ship in little brown trucks. Instead, they will arrive at your home on a semi-truck designed for loading docks.
We strongly recommend ordering liftgate service to safely lower it from the back of the truck to the curb. Otherwise, it will take an army of people to unload the 500-pound generator without destroying it upon descent.
Accessorize Your Generator
Generator accessories can provide extra protection for your investment and enrich the use of your product. If you have any questions about which generator accessories might benefit you, please contact us at 1-800-800-3317.
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