Do Generators Get Weaker Over Time?
Ever feel like your generator just isn't packing the same punch it used to? You're not imagining things — but it's not old age or magnet decay to blame. Short answer: no, generators don’t naturally get weaker with time — but maintenance slip-ups, environmental wear, or internal issues can chip away at their performance. Keep reading and you’ll learn what really causes a generator to drop power, and how to stop it from happening in the first place.
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Do Generators Lose Power Over Time?
Generators can lose power over time because of wear and tear, fuel problems, and ageing internal components. Regular use, proper loading, and routine maintenance help prevent performance decline. With good care, generators can stay reliable and maintain strong power output for longer.
How and Why Your Generator Loses Power
Why Your Generator Keeps Losing Magnetism
Understanding the Loss of Residual Magnetism
Every generator relies on something called residual magnetism. It’s the leftover magnetic field that kickstarts voltage production when the generator turns on. But if that field fades — usually from sitting idle too long, being stored improperly, or being run without a load — the generator might struggle to produce power.
Think of it like jump-starting a car. No spark, no action.
How to Restore Residual Magnetism in a Generator
Lost magnetism doesn’t mean the end of the line. A quick and easy trick known as 'flashing the field' can restore the magnetic charge. Using a 12V portable battery and a set of jumper leads, you briefly send current through the field windings.
Important tip: follow your generator’s manual closely or ask a sparkie. Done wrong, this can fry components.
How Often Do Generators Get Weaker Over Time?
How Fast Do Generators Get Weaker Over Time?
Here’s the good news: the permanent magnets in modern generators, especially neodymium ones, lose less than 0.01% of their strength per year. That’s so tiny it would take centuries to matter. In real-world terms, magnets aren't your issue.
What does fade? Electrical components wear out, lubricants break down, and heat takes its toll on plastic connectors and seals. Think mechanical wear, not magnetic decay.
The Critical Role of Regular Maintenance for Your Generator
Skip your maintenance schedule and it’ll catch up to you. Clogged filters, low oil, or loose connections all stack up. A well-maintained generator in the outback can easily outperform a neglected one sitting in a city garage.
Regular servicing is cheaper than replacing a fried inverter or worn engine bearings. It’s the long-game play that pays off for any power generators you rely on.
Common Causes and Solutions for a Weak Generator
Engine Problems and Their Impact on Your Generator
Clogged Air Filters and Their Impact on Generator Performance
Ever tried running a marathon while breathing through a sock? That’s what your generator does with a dirty air filter. Dust, leaves, and moisture build up fast — especially in Aussie bush or beach settings.
Swap out or clean filters every 100 hours or sooner in rough conditions. It’s a simple fix that prevents major headaches with portable generators.
The Role of Spark Plugs in Generator Performance
Spark plugs don’t last forever. Over time, they get fouled with carbon, leading to rough starts, misfires, and reduced power output. If your generator is coughing or struggling under load, it might be time for a new plug.
Most plugs cost under $10 — and they’re worth every cent. This is true for everything from small generators to heavy-duty petrol generators.
Electrical Issues That Weaken a Generator
Understanding the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
The AVR is the unsung hero of power quality. It controls the output voltage, ensuring your appliances get steady, usable power. If it starts to fail, you might see flickering lights, surging equipment, or even a complete power drop.
Heat, age, or surges from large appliances can wear it down. Replacing an AVR is often cheaper than repairing what it damages. If you find the price of generators for repair is getting too high, it might be time to look at new generators for sale.
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Question 1 of 5
What will you mainly use it for?
This shapes everything — size, noise, start type.
🏕️ Camping & caravanning
🔧 Worksite / tradie
🏠 Home backup for blackouts
🌾 Remote property / farm
Question 2 of 5
What's the biggest thing you need to run?
Pick the hungriest appliance — that decides your kVA rating.
📱 Devices, lights & small appliances Under 2kW — phones, laptops, camp lights, small TV
❄️ Fridge or caravan aircon basics Around 2kW — 12V fridge, small caravan, basic power tools
⚡ Power tools or high-draw appliances Around 3–5kW — angle grinder, circular saw, kettle, microwave
🔌 Multiple big things running at once Around 5–8kW — tools + fridge + chargers all at the same time
🏗️ Air compressor, welder or full site setup 8kW+ — serious site gear, large shed, home standby
Question 3 of 5
How important is quiet operation?
Inverter generators are significantly quieter. Smart silent units like the Welling & Crossley range run at conversation level.
🤫 Very important — camping, neighbours, CPAP users Inverter or smart silent generator. Quieter, cleaner power
🔊 Not critical — open site, farm, doesn't matter Any generator works. Open frame gives more kVA per dollar
Question 4 of 5
Do you want electric or remote start?
Handy when the generator is hard to reach, tucked in a shed, or if yanking a cord isn't your thing.
🔑 Yes — electric or remote start
💪 No — pull start is fine
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Here's exactly how we size them
Two numbers decide everything — get these right and you'll never buy the wrong generator.
1. kVA = how much it can run at once
Add up the watts of everything you'll run at the same time — that's your minimum. Then multiply by 1.25 to leave headroom for start-up surge. A 2,000W load needs at least a 2.5kVA generator. Always size up, never down.
2. Surge watts = the hidden catch
Motors (fridges, air conditioners, compressors) spike hard on start-up — often 2–3x their running watts. A caravan aircon that runs at 1,000W can pull 2,500W+ for the first second. Check the surge rating, not just continuous output.
Inverter vs open frame — which do you need? ▾
Inverter generators produce clean, stable power — safe for laptops, CPAPs, TVs and any modern electronics. They're also significantly quieter. Open-frame generators are louder and produce slightly less stable power, but they're cheaper per kVA and perfectly fine for power tools, lights, and anything that isn't electronics-sensitive. The Welling & Crossley Smart Silent range sits in between — enclosed inverter design, very quiet, high kVA output, and priced well.
Do you actually need a generator, or would a power station do? ▾
If you're camping for a few nights and mainly running a fridge, CPAP and charging gear, a portable power station is often the better pick — no fuel, no fumes, near-silent, and you can top it up with solar panels. Generators shine when you need continuous high-output power for tools, aircon over multiple days, or remote properties where mains power isn't available. Not sure? Call us and we'll help you work it out. Or try our Power Station Finder here.
What does the runtime figure actually mean? ▾
Runtime is quoted at a specific load — usually 25% or 50% of rated output. Running at full capacity burns significantly more fuel and cuts runtime. The Welling & Crossley 6000W quotes 7 hours at 50% load — at full tilt, expect closer to 4. Always check the tank size and carry spare fuel if you're heading remote.
What your gear actually draws
Rough figures. Add up everything running at once to get your minimum kVA — then size up for surge headroom.
| What you're running | Running watts | Surge / start-up |
|---|---|---|
| Phone & laptop charging | ~100W | Minimal |
| Camp lights / LED strip | ~50W | Minimal |
| 12V fridge / freezer | 60–150W | Up to 600W |
| Caravan reverse-cycle aircon | 1,000–1,500W | 2,000–3,000W |
| Circular saw / angle grinder | 1,200–2,000W | 2,500–4,000W |
| Drill / impact driver | 600–900W | 1,200–1,800W |
| Microwave | 1,000–1,200W | Minimal |
| Kettle | 1,500–2,400W | Minimal |
| Air compressor (small) | 1,500–2,000W | 3,000–5,000W |
| Welder (MIG/stick) | 3,000–6,000W | Varies |
| Full home (non-AC essentials) | 3,000–5,000W | 5,000–8,000W |
Or skip the quiz and shop by size
2–3kVA
Compact
- Camping & caravanning
- Devices, fridge & lights
- Portable & lightweight
From $999
Shop compact7–9kVA
Serious power
- Full worksite setup
- Multiple tools at once
- Home backup
From $2,399
Shop serious10–20kVA
Heavy-duty
- Welder & compressor
- Large shed or farm
- Full home standby
From $5,749
Shop heavy-dutyWhat other Aussies say
From our 120+ verified Google reviews, rated 4.98 out of 5.
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"Tim was super helpful and answered all my questions about which generator I needed. Without doubt the cheapest prices in Australia on the same quality products as the bigger companies."
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"Tim returned my first call in 90 seconds and talked me through exactly what size generator to get. We ended up buying 2 units and we're super happy. Good price, good service = good company."
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"Got my generator at a lesser price than the local Aussie dealer. Delivery was fast and communication was top notch. Planning to get more gear for my van build."
Shane Fish
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"Ordered the Gentech Sunday night and it was at my door by Thursday. Outstanding service, and the generator is better than I expected. Will be back."
Lawrie Thorne
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Common questions
What size generator do I need for camping? ▾
For camping with a 12V fridge, lights and charging, a 2.5–3.2kVA inverter generator does the job. If you're running caravan reverse-cycle aircon, step up to at least 4.5kVA — aircon units surge hard on start-up. An inverter generator keeps things quiet around the campsite.
What's the difference between kVA and kW? ▾
kVA (kilovolt-amperes) is the total apparent power the generator can produce. kW (kilowatts) is the real usable power after accounting for the power factor (typically 0.8). A 2.5kVA generator delivers around 2kW of usable power. For most home and camping use, kVA is the number to focus on — just make sure your total load stays comfortably under it.
Can I run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space? ▾
No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must only be run outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, away from doors and windows. Never run one inside a caravan, shed, or garage — CO poisoning is odourless and can be fatal. Keep at least 3 metres from any opening.
How long will it run on a tank of fuel? ▾
It depends on tank size and load. The Welling & Crossley 6000W has an 18L tank and runs around 7 hours at 50% load. The Gentech 8kVA has a 25L tank. Always carry spare fuel jerry cans if you're heading remote.
Are inverter generators safe for sensitive electronics? ▾
Yes. Inverter generators produce clean sine wave power — same as your wall socket — which is safe for laptops, TVs, CPAPs and modern electronics. Open-frame generators produce slightly less stable power, which is fine for tools and lighting but we'd recommend an inverter if you're running anything sensitive.
What's the warranty on True Gear generators? ▾
Warranty varies by brand. Welling & Crossley and Westinghouse come with a 2-year warranty. Gentech units with Honda engines carry up to a 5-year warranty option. Champion units carry a 3-year limited warranty. All are backed by Australian-based support. Call us if you have warranty questions on a specific model.
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