Spring is a perfect time to do a significant house and yard cleanup, and your generator is no exception. Power outages persisting for more than an hour are on the rise, so preventive steps are in order.
Have Preventative Maintenance Done
Maintenance is essential to keeping your generator working properly. You should have major and minor service on your generator annually. Major maintenance should occur first if the unit has never been serviced or has been a long time since the last servicing.
General inspection and lubrication services are an essential part of preventative maintenance. The technician will check out your cooling service, as well as your fuel system. Maintenance also includes battery testing and engine exercise. Each generator brand has different guidelines that homeowners benefit from following. Your service professional will know which maintenance plan is best for your generator make and model.
Corrosion Checking
The cooling system of a generator can contribute to corrosion, especially after a long winter. Checking your fluids is essential to preventing corrosion. Your fuel filters should also be clear, as this prevents corrosion-related issues as well. Fuel filters can become clogged if they are not kept clean. A clogged fuel filter may make your generator work less efficiently or fail to operate all.
Load Bank Testing
Load bank testing is a method that employs a heater or resistor to apply a specific artificial load to a generator to simulate real-life operating conditions and ensure it can perform at its maximum capacity. This testing is critical to verify the generator’s capability to handle its specified load and prevent issues such as wet stacking.
Wet stacking occurs when a diesel generator is consistently operated at a low load, leading to incomplete combustion and the accumulation of unburned fuel in the engine. This creates a fire hazard due to carbon buildup in the exhaust system. Conducting load bank testing helps prevent wet stacking and ensures the generator functions optimally when needed.
Removing Animal Nests
Birds or other small animals sometimes build nests inside generators during the winter, and these nests can prevent crucial parts from working correctly. Technicians will check your connectors, exhaust pipes, and fans to make sure nothing has taken up residence. The damage that animals cause might be more gradual. Checking for nests is one of the most overlooked parts of generator maintenance but no less critical.
Coolant and Oil Sampling
Annual coolant and oil checks can keep your generator in optimal condition. By inspecting the coolant, you can identify any signs of degradation or contaminants, which can impact the performance of the generator. Similarly, oil checks are essential for detecting contaminants that can also affect the proper functioning of the generator. By staying proactive with these tasks, you can ensure that your generator is ready to operate when you need it.
Spring cleaning for your generator is essential. However, this is a task that requires a professional. When you need generator services, feel free to contact Legacy Electric in San Angelo, TX.