Don't Wait for an Outage to Figure out Your Generator Doesnt' Work
Every year, it happens.
A heat wave rolls in. The power flickers. Someone pulls the cord or hits the start button on their generator—and nothing happens. Or it starts, sputters, and dies. Or it runs… but doesn’t actually power what they expected it to.
The worst part of this, is that almost all of these situations could have been avoided with a quick check before the season really starts.
Summer is one of the busiest times of year for power outages. Between increased demand on the grid, wildfire risk, and Public Safety Power Shutoffs, backup power stops being a “nice to have” and becomes something people rely on. The same goes for RV owners heading out on long trips or anyone planning to use a portable generator away from home. Once you’re on the road—or once the power is already out—it’s too late to find out there’s a problem.
If you’ve got a generator, now is the time to make sure it’s actually ready to do its job.
Generators Fail Quietly and Subtly
One of the tricky things about generators is that they don’t always give obvious warning signs. A unit can look perfectly fine sitting there, untouched since last year, and still have issues that only show up when you try to use it.
Fuel can degrade or varnish inside the system. Batteries can lose charge. Connections can loosen. Filters clog. Sensors fail. Sometimes everything works… except the part that actually transfers power when you need it most.
That’s why waiting until an outage — or until you’re parked at a campsite relying on your RV generator — is such a gamble.
A Simple Check can Save a lot of Time
You don’t need to be a technician to do a basic readiness check. All that's needed is to confirm that the generator can start, run, and do what it’s supposed to do.
Start by actually running the generator. Let it turn on and stay on long enough to see how it behaves. Listen for rough running, surging, or anything that doesn’t sound right. If it struggles to start, that’s already a sign something needs attention.
Check the fuel situation. Old fuel is one of the most common causes of generator problems, especially for units that sit unused for months at a time. If the fuel smells off or looks dark or cloudy, that’s worth addressing now instead of later.
Take a look at oil levels and obvious leaks. Even if everything starts fine, low oil or signs of leakage can turn into bigger problems under load.
If your generator is supposed to power specific appliances or systems, make sure it actually does. This is especially important for standby generators with transfer switches and for RV setups where expectations don’t always match reality.
For RV and portable generators, this is also a good time to think about how and where you’ll be using them this summer. Heat, elevation, and extended run times all add stress—and small issues tend to show up faster under those conditions.
In many areas, Public Safety Power Shutoffs are no longer rare events. They’re planned, announced, and increasingly common during high-risk weather. That means you often have advance notice — but only if your generator is ready to go.
Waiting until a shutoff is announced to test your system puts you in the same line as everyone else who waited. That’s when service schedules fill up fast.
The same thing happens right before major holiday weekends and peak RV travel season. When everyone needs help at once, turnaround times get longer.
If something doesn’t seem right during your check—or if you simply don’t want to guess—that’s where professional service comes in.
A seasonal inspection or maintenance visit can catch small issues before they become big ones. It also gives you confidence that when the power goes out, or when you’re miles from home in your RV, your generator is going to do what it’s supposed to do.
Once summer is in full swing, demand spikes. Calling now gives you more flexibility, faster scheduling, and fewer surprises.
A generator isn’t just about electricity. It’s about comfort, safety, and peace of mind — whether that’s keeping your home running during an outage or making sure your RV trip goes smoothly.
Don’t wait until the lights are already off or you’re already on the road to find out there’s a problem.
Check your generator now. And if you need help getting it ready for the season, reach out to Flaugher Generator & RV Solutions before the busy season hits.
We’d much rather help you prepare than meet you on your worst day.