Generator Cleanup

[Carolinatlc]

I pulled my little Briggs and Stratton inverter generator out Sunday evening when we lost power for a few hours. Wife and daughter wanted to take showers and we have a tankless gas water heater. Didn't take but 5min or so to get it out and running and plug the tankless in. Of course the power came back on as I walked in to tell them to go ahead. I noticed one of the outlet plugs didn't want to hold the extension cord all that well so pulled it apart yesterday to replace the plug. This thing is filthy inside. I really haven't used it a ton in the ten years or so I've had it but have loaned it out.

What do you think is the best way to clean this thing up? I'll blow it out today but really don't think that will do much. Mainly worried about all the electronics. I have half a can of contact cleaner here and could get some more if that might work.

 

[Supermatch]

Maybe try a can of the compressed isopropyl alcohol, with alcohol and a soft bristled brush for the rest.

 

[Burt Gummer]

Spray soapy water on a soft bristled brush, and scrub. Then wipe dry or “blow” it dry with compressed air. That way you’re only scrubbing what you want to get wet and you’re not saturating everything.

I use dawn mixed with water In a spray bottle for most things like that. If you want something a little stronger, use purple power but with the same concept of spraying on the brush instead of spraying it on what you want to clean

 

[LeeMajors]

I use brake cleaner. And a soft bristle brush

 

[JohnFreeman]

I'd blow it with compressed air while wiping it with a dry soft bristle paintbrush. If that does nothing then Mr Gummer's recommendation of soapy water is a good one. The idea is not to flood the assembly but to rinse it off . A good sunny day would work well to help dry it quickly.

I would not hose electronics down with cleaners.

 

[Scsmith42]

I'd blow it with compressed air while wiping it with a dry soft bristle paintbrush. If that does nothing then Mr Gummer's recommendation of soapy water is a good one. The idea is not to flood the assembly but to rinse it off . A good sunny day would work well to help dry it quickly.

I would not hose electronics down with cleaners.

I concur with John's advice above, with the exception that it's ok to use electrical contact cleaner on electronics.

Still, for your application I would used compressed air and a semi-stiff brush only. No water.

 

[Get Off My Lawn]

Soaps/detergents will accelerate corrosion.
Compressed air and a brush to make it look prettier. If they didn’t already apply silicone dielectric grease in the plug pins, pull and insert the plugs 3-5 times, put the grease in the holes and in the prongs & reassemble. We use this technique to protect equipment that goes in and out of -20 deg freezers.