Winter Is Coming: Is Your Generator Ready?

As we head into the winter season across Canada, a well-maintained generator matters more than ever, especially for off-grid systems. For most homeowners, the generator is out of sight and out of mind until the power goes out. By then, a dead battery, stale fuel or a clogged intake can leave them without backup power and phoning you. 

Below is a quick winter guide for BE’s two-wire start BE7500iD and BE10500iT generators.

Before winter (do once)

☐  Switch to SAE 0W-30 oil, which the manuals recommend for cold climates. Change oil with the engine warm, not hot.

☐  Clean the air filter (foam: solvent, air dry, a few drops of oil). Never run without it.

☐  Clean the fuel filter screen in the tank.

☐  Check the spark plug: gap 0.7–0.8 mm, torque 22.5 ±2.5 Nm. Replace if worn.

☐  Charge the battery fully indoors. Never charge below 0 °C or above 45 °C.

☐  Fill with fresh 87+ octane unleaded, max 10% ethanol (no E15, E20, E85).

Personally, I like to add a fuel stabilizer to the gas.  

Every Use

☐  Check oil level and look for leaks.

☐  Check fuel level and battery charge.

☐  Wipe off snow and moisture. Keep the unit dry; never run it in rain or snow without an open, canopy-style cover.

☐  Place on level ground, outdoors, at least 1 m (3 ft) from any building. Never run indoors or in a garage.

☐  Remove any storage cover before running. Do not enclose the unit.

☐  Below about −5 °C: press the priming pump to help the engine start.

☐  Eco Mode OFF until the engine is warm. Then connect loads, largest first.

Maintenance Schedule

Storing for more than 3 months?

1.  Shut down using the normal shutdown procedure.

2.  Drain the fuel tank.

3.  Run the engine (no loads connected) until the carburetor runs dry.

4.  Open the carburetor drain bolt and drain any remaining fuel into a container; retighten.

5.  Change the oil.

6.  Pull the recoil handle slowly until you feel resistance (this closes the valves).

7.  Disconnect the battery cable.

8.  Store the unit clean and dry. Never store fuel indoors.

Interested in adding BE Generators to your line-up?
Our BE two-wire auto-start generators work with Sigenergy, EG4, Sol-Ark and more, and they’re available only through First Point Energy. Contact us at [email protected]