When you purchase a backup generator, you invest in peace of mind. These generators often stay in the background but become invaluable when your business or home experiences power outages.
As with all machines, diesel generators require ongoing maintenance and care to ensure they continue to operate safely and efficiently. Luckily, once you understand the basics of generator maintenance, you should have no problems maximising your investment.
In this post, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about backup generator maintenance, including why it’s important and the steps to take. Let’s get straight to it.
Backup generators are a significant investment, and regular maintenance ensures the money you spent initially continues to pay off. Here’s why it’s so important:
Now that you know why diesel generator maintenance is essential, it’s time to reveal how to do it. Following these tips will ensure your generator continues to perform and provides seamless backup power.
You can conduct regular visual inspections yourself and identify whether there are any issues. The most important signs to look for include leaks, corrosion and general wear. Make sure you pay special attention to the following generator components:
If you notice any problems and aren’t sure how to fix them, it’s best to call a professional.
Generators rely on clean oil to operate and protect internal components. Regular oil/filter changes are vital to ensuring your generator runs at maximum efficiency and continues to perform.
All generators are different, but the manufacturer’s guidelines clearly state how often you’ll need to change the oil and filters. While oil changes might not seem like a top priority, they ensure your generator remains reliable and can prevent expensive repairs.
You should also check coolant levels to ensure the generator doesn’t overheat. You might need to flush the system (instructions on how to do this are usually in the manual).
Gasoline and diesel-powered generators are the most popular options available, with diesel offering more efficiency. If you don’t monitor and maintain the fuel system, it can cause a range of problems, including poor performance and an inability to start.
Using a fuel stabiliser can prevent gasoline or diesel from degrading over time, and regularly cleaning the tank will prevent debris and rust accumulation. You can also invest in professional fuel services, where professionals will assess quality and eliminate contamination problems.
As you’ve probably guessed, the battery is one generator component you can’t afford to be without. It’s vital to regularly inspect the battery and ensure it has enough power to support your operations.
Batteries can also be prone to general wear and tear and issues such as loose connections and corrosion. Cleaning the terminals frequently ensures you replace the battery when it loses performance.
Leaving a faulty battery in your generator can impact its ability to work and damage the components.
Your generator might seem operational, but will it meet your power demands? Conducting regular testing with the generator under load can flag potential issues and ensure you fix them before the generator is actually needed.
These tests take place in a controlled environment and ensure that your generator can maintain efficiency. If you’re unsure about the technical elements of standby generators, a professional load bank testing service can help.
Diesel generators can last for decades, but you’ll need to maintain the components. Even minor errors can cause significant problems with the entire machine’s operation.
For example, if there’s a fault with the Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS), the generator won’t turn on when you lose access to the main electricity supply.
Here’s how to get the most out of your generator.
Different weather conditions can impact your generator’s performance, with colder seasons impacting its ability to start. High temperatures might result in overheating, so it’s vital to ensure that your generator operates in optimal conditions throughout the year.
Trying to identify and fix errors with your generator can be overwhelming, but a professional generator maintenance team simplifies the process. Experts understand the complex components of backup generators and can identify any issues.
Whether your fuel filter needs replacing or some components need replacing, professional engineers prevent expensive replacements and can identify potential issues before they occur. Yes, you’ll pay a small fee for maintenance, but these costs often outweigh repair and replacement expenses.
In some cases, it’s impossible to prevent generator issues – especially when there’s a fault with the electrical system or other internal components. However, identifying potential signs means you can arrange repairs before they worsen.
Problems starting, weird noises and power fluctuations are all signs that something might be wrong. If you notice them, it’s best to contact a repair service.
Solent Power Ltd (Company Number 12622565) is a company registered in England and Wales. Our registered office is located at Station yard, Bowes Hill, Rowlands Castle PO9 6BP. VAT No. 363504018