A power outage may strike your business or home at any time. Therefore, having generators ready can be very beneficial to providing the needed power supply. However, your generator must be in good shape to be fully effective. Statistics show that more than 70% of generator failures occur due to poor maintenance.
But how do you keep your generator ready for power emergencies? The main thing is to maintain it constantly. Below, you will learn the tips to maintain and keep your generator ready for working.
Generator Maintenance Tips
You can maintain your generator by following the tips below:
1. Regular Cleaning and Inspection
Cleaning and inspecting your generator regularly is vital to keeping it ready. This is because debris and dust usually accumulate inside the various parts of the generator. You can avoid this by hiring a professional like Genstar Generator Service. Here you can learn more about Genstar generator services and their expert take on cleaning and inspection.
Remember that some parts may wear out without proper inspection and cleaning, leading to malfunctions. As a result, your generator may not give out the best results in terms of efficiency. When conducting an inspection, it is crucial to start from the exterior parts and check for wear and tear damages.
When cleaning, begin with the air intake vents and the exhaust area. Cleaning these areas is vital since constant airflow is essential for the general generator’s functioning. Also, clean the fuel tank, lines, and filters. In addition, remember to fix any loose connections and replace any parts that show signs of corrosion.
2. Maintain the Battery
The battery is one of the most critical elements in the normal functioning of a generator. Your generator will have trouble starting if the battery has problems. So, you must first check it for:
- Corrosion signs
- Proper voltage levels
- Loose terminals
You should also keep the terminals polished by cleaning them with water and baking soda. This combination works to prevent corrosion in the terminals. In addition to battery maintenance, remember to remove and charge it regularly if you are not using the generator.
3. Keep an Eye on the Oil Level
A generator uses an internal combustion engine. This means that oil is essential in lubricating the main moving parts of the engine. Therefore, ensuring the oil is at optimum at all times is necessary.
In most cases, engine damages occur due to low oil levels, thus making the generator unreliable. You should also ensure the oil is clean to prevent the engine from overheating. Dirty oil can also increase the friction level, which may cause wear and tear on the internal engine parts.
4. Check the Coolant System Regularly
Your generator produces a lot of heat when in operation. Therefore, a coolant is vital in preventing overheating of the systems. So, inspecting the coolant levels ensures your generator is safe from extreme heat levels that may damage it.
This coolant is primarily a mixture of distilled water and the manufacturer’s recommended solution. Therefore, always check the cooling fins and radiator to remove any visible obstructions. After that, keep the coolant mixture in the optimum range to prevent overheating that may cause engine damage.
5. Conduct Load Testing
Always remember to perform load testing in your generator frequently. This move ensures your generator is always functioning around the correctly designed load. Every generator has specific load capacities that should never exceed.
When load testing your generator, you can subject it to varying loads. In this case, these loads usually simulate real-world conditions. However, following your manufacturer’s load testing guidelines is essential to avoid mistakes or accidents.
6. Look for Professional Servicing
It is vital to hire professional personnel to look at your generator occasionally. A certified generator technician can inspect and test your generator and recommend solutions. In this case, the technician will spot issues an average user cannot easily find.
A technician will also service and fix all the issues, thus preventing any future breakdowns. However, you must keep a record of the professional inspections on your generator. This will help you determine the next time you wish for an inspection.
The Sum Up!
Proper maintenance of your generator guarantees optimal results. Therefore, when a power outage occurs, you never have to worry about the performance of your power backup system. In other words, good generator maintenance means maximum efficiency and vice versa.
