Your generator, like any engine, needs routine service and maintenance to ensure it performs when needed. Just like your car has scheduled minor and major services based on time/mileage, generators have services based on time and number of hours of usage. If your generator is used for backup power, keeping up with your maintenance will empower (pun intended) your generator to be ready when it’s needed.
The following are some housekeeping tips to keep your generator ready for action.
Periodically start and run your generator. Running your generator allows the internal fluids to activate and condition your engine.
Visually check your fuel levels. It’s better to discover a fuel leak prior to when you need your generator to power your operation. In addition, visual inspection of fuel can detect major contaminations.
Visually inspect your battery to see if there’s any corrosion. Corrosion on battery contacts can prevent the electrical circuit from completing, causing a non-start for your generator.
Most diesel generators require a minor service every 500 hours of operation and/or every 6 months. This schedule may need to be accelerated due to environmental conditions. For example, if your generator is located in an extremely dusty/sandy location, air filters can get clogged more rapidly and require cleaning earlier than 500 hours.
Here’s all that’s included in our Minor Service for Generators:
Contact customer and obtain permission to conduct inspection and service.
Request authorized personnel to place unit controls in mode to permit inspection.
Check fuel and oil levels. Add oil as required for safe engine operation.
Inspect day tank piping, motors and levels.
Inspect air cleaner elements. Clean, as required.
Inspect hoses for brittleness, cracking and weakness. Check all hose clamps and tighten as required.
Inspect fan and alternator belts for proper tension and condition. Adjust as required.
Inspect batteries, cables and lugs for tightness. Clean battery and fill cells, as required. Record battery cells specific gravities.
Inspect engine control panel and junction box for loose connections. Tighten as required.
Inspect jacket water heater for correct operation, test systems and shut down alarms.
Inspect radiator for leaks or clogged fins. Check cooling systems antifreeze and glycol protection. Add water as required for safe engine operation.
Inspect generator brushes and clean slip rings.
Clean generator exciter and regulator. Check for loose connections.
Start engine and warm-up. Record gauge readings. Adjust rpm as required. Check for fluid leaks.
Calibrate & clean all related transfer switches.
Check all transfer switches for proper operation.
Request authorized personnel to place unit controls in mode desired by customer.
Additional steps for gasoline units:
18. Clean and adjust spark plugs.
19. Clean and adjust ignition condensers and points
20. Inspect distributor cap and rotor.
21. Inspect ignition wires.
At customer request and additional charge:
22. Take oil sample for analysis.
Our Major Servicing includes all of the above with the addition of:
Changing/Replacing Oils and Oil Filters
Changing/Replacing Fuel Filters
At customer request and additional charge
3. Change anti-freeze, yearly.
4. Load bank testing
Our factory trained technicians are qualified to work on nearly all OEM generator engines. We service all industrial and commercial generators. Contact us today to get an estimate on your routine generator maintenance!
