Fuel Stabilizers for Generators : How They Work & Benefits

Typically, the generators are the backup power source used during emergencies or blackouts.

Because of this, they are not often used for more extended periods, and the fuels you have stored for the day will deteriorate eventually.

As a result, your generator unit might not run, and you will be out of power in need. To fight with this relatively short shelf life of fuels, you need fuel stabilizers.

In this article, we will help you understand the working, benefits, and limitations of fuel stabilizers for generator units.

What are Fuel Stabilizers for Generators

Gasoline and petrol are popular fuel types used in generator engines.

But they can perish quickly over time. Diesel can become thick in cold temperatures and does not freely flow to the engine.

Further, if the fuel tank or the carburetor is not drained, the engine will experience starting troubles due to the stale fuel in the tank.

Fuel stabilizers are petroleum-based products that you can add to gasoline or petrol before storing them.

This extends the shelf life of fuels and helps you overcome all the above-stated problems.

Some stabilizers can also help you in absorbing any water molecules present in the fuel. Further, they can stop gum and varnish build-up in the carburetor and can clean and lubricate the engine.

Thus, they can enhance the performance of the engine and make your generator unit fuel-efficient.

Depending on the brand of your stabilizer, it can increase the gasoline shelf life up to 1-3 years.

How Do Fuel Stabilizers Work?

The working of fuel stabilizers is simple and straight forward.

When the gasoline is stored for longer periods, it is exposed to both atmospheric oxygen and moisture; it begins to break down.

This process is called oxidation.

If no care is taken, the oxidation process will start to deteriorate gasoline to form a sticky deposit that can clog your fuel lines, joints, and damage the carburetor.

Because of this, when you want to store the fuel for an extended time, add the stabilizer to the gas tank of the generator containing fuel.

Depending on your stabilizer type, the quantity you need to add differs.

Please check the instructions manual for it. Typically it would be best if you waited overnight for the stabilizer work on the stale fuel.

Now the stabilizers, which are just a mix of antioxidants and lubricants, prevent evaporation of the fuel and rejects any water molecules accumulated, increasing the shelf life of the fuel.

Benefits of Fuel Stabilizers

Fuel stabilizers have many advantages that can enhance the performance of your generator. In this section, we will let you know some critical benefits of fuel stabilizers.

Money saver in the long term

The cost of the fuel stabilizer depends on the quantity, but you can mostly find one starting from $2 and above. The cheaper ones usually have less volume.

Investing this small amount on a fuel stabilizer will save you money in the long run.

Without the stabilizer, the fuel might degrade, and the money you put on buying it goes waste.

Further, using a stabilizer saves you from the repair costs that might incur if the generator is broken due to stale fuels.

Versatile

Besides using in the generator, some fuel stabilizers can also be used in your cars, boats, motorbikes, almost any engine running on gasoline or diesel.

These versatile applications of fuel stabilizers make them extra beneficial.

Ease of Availability

Fuel stabilizers are the most commonly used fuel additives in the market and are readily available in automotive stores, hardware stores, etc.

The extended life span of fuels

Unarguably the most significant advantage of fuel stabilizers is they can keep the fuel fresh for extended periods.

A right fuel stabilizer can increase the life span of your fuel by twice or thrice.

Quick Start of the Engine

The stabilizers ensure there is no sticky gum or deposits to obstruct the smooth functioning of the engine and quickly start it enhancing the performance of your old generator unit.

Limitations of Fuel Stabilizers

There are also certain disadvantages associated with the fuel stabilizers, and here we are listing a few of them.

Fuel age

Though stabilizers can be added to any fuel, mixing it with new gasoline or diesel offers you the best results. They are slow when restoring the quality of aged fuels.

Time of addition

Fuel stabilizers cannot restore the quality of the fuels that have already gone bad. They can keep your fuels fresh when you add the stabilizer before you start storing them.

Limited shelf life

You can increase the life span of gasoline from 3 months to up to one year or so. You cannot expect the stabilizer to keep your fuel fresh for years to come.

Fuel stabilizers are only applicable for the seasonal storage of fuels. If you want to keep your fuels fresh for very long periods i.e., a few years, you need to look into other options.

When to use Fuel Stabilizers?

Here are a few situations when using fuel stabilizers should be helpful –

1. You want to increase the shelf life of your fuels, you should use fuel stabilizers.
2. You are tired of the sticky gum and varnishes like substance spoiling your carburetor and the engine, you should immediately look into using fuel stabilizers for your generator.
3. Your engine is suffering from a starting problem, consider adding fuel stabilizers to your fuel tank.
4. You don’t want to run out of your back-up during emergencies due to stale fuel, you need to start using fuel stabilizers to keep your fuels fresh.

Fuel stabilizers are very economical, readily available, and versatile products that could extend the life span of your fuels.

Summary

Fuel stabilizers offer many advantages for enhancing the performance of your generator unit.

They are a great solution to maximize the storage life of your generator’s fuel.

Here, we have tried our best to explain the fuel stabilizer’s purpose, working along with its pros and cons.

We hope this will help you in your final decision if you are considering getting one for your generator unit.