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How old is my generator?
16 generator brands catalogued, 7 with a sourced serial format you can decode here. Pick your brand; the serial format depends on it.
- 7 of 16 generator brands on this site have a sourced serial number date format.
- The InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes lists Residential Propane Backup Generators at 12 years of expected service.
Brands with a decoder
Briggs & Stratton1965 to present1 formatCenturionera not stated1 formatCummins/Onanera not stated1 formatGeneracera not stated1 formatHondaera not stated1 formatKohlerera not stated1 formatWestinghouse Generatorsera not stated1 format
Brands catalogued, format not yet sourced
- Caterpillar Home Standby
- Champion Power
- Cummins
- DuroMax
- Firman
- Honda Generators
- Honeywell Generators
- Siemens Generators
- Winco
Where the data plate is on a generator
Standby units: a plate inside the enclosure or on the frame near the controller. Portables: a sticker on the frame or engine housing.
General guidance, not brand-specific: the owner's manual or the installer can point to the exact spot. See the data plate guide.
For scale only: the InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes lists Residential Propane Backup Generators at 12 years of expected service (nachi.org). That chart is a guideline, not a prediction for your unit.