Is the Answer Really Blowin’ in the Wind? What Are Your Plans for the Next Hurricane?

Have you heard? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast an active Atlantic hurricane season. Already, we have a tropical storm battering the south, and there is more to come.

According to a Gerry Bell, Ph. D, a lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA, “This year, oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic basin are expected to produce more and stronger hurricanes. These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive wind patterns coming from Africa.”

When you’re facing a hurricane, generator preparedness remains the best method to avoid disaster and panic. When the power goes out, you can count on KOHLER® generators to keep refrigerators running, heat or air conditioning units functioning and vital medical equipment operative to sustain lives.

The best machinery in the world may not function properly if it’s not maintained. Before a storm hits, make sure your generator is hurricane ready with these steps:

1. Battery. Visually inspect your battery. Are the connections tight? Can you see any corrosion? Even if everything looks good, a battery should be replaced every three years. (Do we want to talk about trickle chargers?)

2. Fuel. Check the quantity and the quality. At least 20 gallons of diesel fuel should be in your reserve. Fuel that sits in a generator loses its effectiveness after 6 months. Old fuel should be drained and disposed of properly. Change filters yearly. For stored fuel, consider adding a fuel stabilizer to lengthen shelf life. For natural gas or liquid propane, check that you have an adequate supply.

3. Transfer switch. Is it automatic? A properly functioning transfer switch allows a nearly seamless continuation of power when the electricity goes out. Testing of the switch should be conducted once a week to be sure the generator cycles on when grid power is cut.

4. Fluid levels and air filters. Once a year, change the engine oil and check water, coolant and fuel levels. Inspect and replace air filters as needed.

5. Loaded test. A loaded test is NOT the same thing as a load bank test. A loaded test is an actual run through scenario where utilities are disconnected. Some home owners are comfortable doing this themselves, and others prefer that we come and take care of it.

6. Battery chargers. There are different types. Look for red or green lights. If you see red, battery is down, green and red is charging, green is fully charged. If no lights, call us! Your charger is not working! If your charger does not have lights, maybe it has a meter, ensure that the meter is in the center or higher, this annotates battery charged or charging. If you’re just not sure, give us a call.

If you’d like a KOHLER® representative to inspect your hurricane generator, run tests and check levels, give me a call. We’ll get you on the schedule, so that when a hurricane starts “Blowin’ in the Wind”, you’ll still be powered, for life!