Battery Service; Long-Term Storage; Storage Procedure For 1 - 3 Months; Storage Procedure For Greater Than 3 Months - Westinghouse WH4500 Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE
Clean All Alternator Cooling Air Inlets and Exhaust
Ports – Make sure the cooling air inlets and exhaust
ports of the alternator are free of any debris and
obstructions. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and
debris stuck in the cooling air inlets and exhaust ports
(see Figure 46 and Figure 47).
Figure 46 – Alternator Cooling Air Inlet and Outlet Port
Figure 47 – Alternator Cooling Air Inlet and Outlet Port
General Cleaning of the Generator – Use a damp rag
to clean all remaining surfaces.

BATTERY SERVICE

To ensure the battery remains charged, it is
recommended that the generator is started every 2 – 3
months and run for a minimum of 15 minutes. If the unit
is stored for more than a year without running, a battery
charger may be required to recharge the generator
battery.
36

LONG-TERM STORAGE

WARNING
Never store a generator with fuel in the
tank indoors or in a poorly ventilated
area where the fumes can come in
contact with an ignition source such
as a: 1) pilot light of a stove, water
heater, clothes dryer or any other gas
appliance; or 2) spark from an electric
appliance.
NOTICE
Gasoline stored for as little as 60 days can go bad,
causing gum, varnish and corrosive buildup in fuel
lines, fuel passages and the engine. This corrosive
buildup restricts the fl ow of fuel, preventing an engine
from starting after a prolonged storage period.
Proper care should be taken to prepare the generator for
any long-term storage.
Storage Procedure for 1 – 3 Months
1. Clean the generator as outlined in Cleaning the
Generator on page 35.
2. Add a gasoline fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Follow
the recommended procedure of the fuel stabilizer
manufacturer for correct amount of stabilizer to add.
Storage Procedure for Greater Than 3
Months
1. Clean the generator as outlined in Cleaning the
Generator on page 35.
2. Drain all gasoline from the fuel tank as best as
possible.
3. With the fuel shutoff valve open, start the engine
and allow the generator to run until all the remaining
gasoline in the fuel lines and carburetor is
consumed and the engine shuts off.
4. Close the fuel shutoff valve.
5. Change the oil (see Changing Engine Oil on page
31).
6. Remove the spark plug (see Spark Plug Maintenance
on page 33) and place about 1 tablespoon of oil
in the spark plug opening. While placing a clean rag
over the spark plug opening, slowly pull the recoil
handle to allow the engine to turn over several times.
This will distribute the oil and protect the cylinder wall
from corroding during storage.
7. Replace the spark plug (see Spark Plug
Maintenance on page 33).
8. Move the generator to a clean, dry place for storage.