{"id":1543,"date":"2024-04-01T00:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-01T00:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pluggedinacademy.com\/?p=1543"},"modified":"2024-04-01T00:18:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T00:18:00","slug":"can-you-refuel-a-generator-while-its-running","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pluggedinacademy.com\/generators\/can-you-refuel-a-generator-while-its-running\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Refuel A Generator While It’s Running? Safety Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Noticing the gas in your portable generator is getting low, and need to add more. Debating whether you should shut it off first, or keep it running. Can you refuel a generator while it’s running?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never add more fuel to your generator while it is running, or even while it\u2019s hot. Doing so puts yourself at risk of being severely burned. Only when your generator is switched off for 15 mins and cool is it safe to refuel.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We all have been there before \u2013 the power is out but luckily your trusty portable generator is humming along feeding a healthy does of electricity to all your devices. And while you may have the urge to put a gallon or two in the fuel tank while it’s running, don’t do this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite your steady hands and the use of a fuel funnel, spills and splashes happen. Because, all it takes is a little splash of spilled fuel to ignite and start a fire or worst, severely burn yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s look more closely at why you should never refuel a generator while it\u2019s operating<\/a>, and what the risks of doing so are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Portable generators are small, compact pieces of equipment. They’re designed to be easy to transport, so you can take them with you wherever you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That compactness means all components are literarily sandwiched together, creating and absorbing heat. And because all generators place the gas tank at the very top of the unit, it’s very easy<\/em> for spilled fuel to land on the exhaust, alternator, or even the frame of the generator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Any one of these components gets hot enough to ignite spilled fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fact is, gasoline is highly flammable, and just a little spilled fuel on a hot running generator could ignite \u2013 severely burning you. As an example, a generator’s exhaust temperature can reach between 550 to 900+<\/strong> degrees Fahrenheit. It only takes about 495\u00b0<\/strong> Fahrenheit<\/a> for gasoline to ignite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can image, a running generator on fire is a very bad situation<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So now you know the answer to: can you refuel a generator while it’s running. However, how long should you wait to refuel then? Let’s get into that next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a general rule, always turn off the generator and wait at least 15 to 20 minutes<\/strong> before refueling. However, if in colder climates, it might only take 5 mins to cool down. It’s okay if the generator is warm to the touch<\/strong> before refueling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And while it’s annoying to have to let your generator cool before you can add more fuel to it, especially if you are depending on it for emergency power, it’s absolutely critical that you do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n No, you cannot safely refuel any generators while they are running. No matter how they are designed, you will still be adding a highly flammable substance to an extremely hot space, and the risks are simply too high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you spill any fuel at all or if the tank is too hot, the fuel will catch fire, and potentially set you or the surrounding area on fire, or cause the generator to explode. Do not take this risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Refueling a Running Generator is a Bad Idea <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Long Should I Wait to Refuel my Generator?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can Any Generators Be Refueled While Running?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n