Are you wondering how long you can safely run your portable generator?

In today’s energy-hungry world, running out of power is simply not an option. That said, it’s perfectly understandable that you’d want to know exactly how long your portable generator can last.

Below, you’ll find some useful information to answer your most burning questions and provide a clearer perspective on the situation.

Keep reading to keep the power on!

Safe Run Times By Model

There are lots of external factors that could change how long it is safe for you to run your portable generator. Some of them are:

• How cool you can keep the generator
• How much oil there is in the generator’s engine
• How much fuel you have on hand
• The temperature outside

Check out this table for a simple illustration:

Portable generators are great to have in case of a blackout or to stay connected with the world while on a camping trip. These appliances are extremely convenient, and there are many models out there that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

You may wonder how long you can run yours without running into problems, and the answer is: it depends. The runtime of your portable generator will vary greatly depending on the type of fuel that it runs on. There are other additional factors worth considering, which we’ll explore below.

But first things first.

Gasoline vs Propane Portable Generators

There are two main types of portable generators on the market – propane models, and their gasoline counterparts. While they both do a great job at saving you from an emergency, the former will typically run for longer than the latter due to the substance it uses to draw power.

There are other major differences between gasoline and propane portable generators, such as:

Cons of Gasoline Portable Generators

Now, you’re probably wondering why there’s such a massive difference between one portable generator and the other. Well… the main reason behind this is the ease of refilling. As opposed to propane models, gasoline generators can’t be topped up while they’re hot, as the fumes in the air could cause an explosion.

To make matters worse, while larger gasoline portable generators can last up to 16 hours, there are many models out there with smaller tanks that last much less.

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Pros and Cons of Propane Generators

These, unlike gas generators, can be refilled while they’re hot. This gives you the potential to run yours for anywhere between 150 and 200 hours.

That said, not everything’s peachy, and there are a few things that could affect the runtime of your propane generator. Below, you’ll find some of the most common problems you might encounter, as well as some countermeasures you can take to keep from shortening the generator’s run time:

Can a Generator Run in the Rain?

When you go out camping, you prepare yourself for all kinds of weather. You may pack a thick sleeping bag for chilly nights. Or a waterproof tent for damp mornings. You could even consider an insulated sleeping pad or a windbreaker.

But what about your generator? Is it prepared for a turn in the weather?

Not always. In fact, it’s not typically safe for you to run your appliance in wet weather, such as:

• Rain
• Snow or sleet
• Hail

 It’s worth emphasizing that a wet generator is a dangerous one. So, if you suspect there’s some inclement weather on the way, you should avoid using it. However, what can you do if you get caught outside and need to run your generator in wet weather?

Special Canopies

You can buy a canopy for your unit to do the following:

• Protect the generator from high-speed winds.
• Protect other parts of the generator you don’t want to get wet. 
• Maintain good airflow to the engine to prevent overheating.

If you want to get any replacement part – or see how much one would cost – click to enter your model number in the search bar below. Our partners at AppliancePartsPros stock almost every part with free guides on how to install them.

Overall, canopies are great, but they’re not without flaws. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Steel Enclosures

You can buy a steel enclosure that locks over the entire generator and does the following:

• Stops water from leaking into the generator. 
• Protects the generator from high-speed wind.
• Maintains good airflow to the engine to prevent overheating.

Here are some pros and cons of using a steel enclosure to protect your generator:

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Retrofitted Plastic Enclosures

You can buy a retrofitted plastic enclosure that locks over the entire generator. This type of enclosure tends to be cheaper than steel enclosures. A retrofitted plastic enclosure does the following:

• Stops water from leaking into the generator.
• Protects the generator from strong winds.

Here are some pros and cons of using a retrofitted plastic enclosure to protect your generator:

Conclusion

If the power is down, then you’d certainly want to keep your generator running as long as possible. We hope you received useful insights on how to extend your appliance and generator’s runtime.

If this article has helped you and proved an interesting read, I encourage you to check out some of our other articles and free guides. Or join our mailing list!

Have a great day.

-Craig