How Do You Maintain A Standby Generator?

Most backup generators require an oil change every two years or after 200 hours of use, much like your automobile needs one every three months or 3,000 miles. Before you go ahead and choose diesel generator manufacturers, make sure that you understand the prospects of standby generator maintenance.

The Need For Maintenance

A standard standby generator set can last anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 hours, whereas the average life expectancy of a well-maintained service truck is around 5000 hours (assuming 300,000 miles at 60 mph). A standby generator, on the other hand, may run for as little as 26 hours per year (assuming 30 minutes of weekly exercise and no outages) or as much as several hundred hours per year.

This is entirely dependent on the frequency and length of power outages. A standby generator set may potentially survive 20 to 30 years in either circumstance. Implementing a preventative maintenance (PM) program is one method to ensure a long, dependable working life.

If you own a generator, you must keep a maintenance kit on hand so that you can maintain it on a regular basis. Any silent generator manufacturer will advise you to ensure regular maintenance of your standby generator.

What Is Preventive Maintenance?

Preventive maintenance and service are usually scheduled according to engine hours and/or time intervals. The maintenance cycle may — and should — be customized to fit the demands of unique applications. The more hours a unit runs each year, the more often it will need to be serviced. The environment also has an impact:

The harsher the atmosphere (dusty, excessively hot or cold, severely humid, etc.), the more often service is required. Whether a generator is fueled by diesel or gaseous fuels, most OEM-recommended maintenance cycles are similar.

A general testing is followed by scheduled inspection and service of the following important systems in a typical maintenance cycle:

• Fuel system
• Coolant system
• Lubrication system
• Air system
• Starting system
• Alternator
• Transfer switch

Test Your Standby Generator More Often

A good visual examination should be done at least once a month and after any lengthy generator run periods. Let’s get started:

• Maintain the generator’s and its surroundings’ overall hygiene. Make sure there are no rodents attempting to take up home in an enclosed unit.
• When the unit is not in use, check the oil level.
• Wait 10 minutes after the generator has shut down to check the oil level if it has been operating (this allows all of the oil in the engine to drain back into the sump). Maintain an oil level that is as near to full as feasible without going overboard.
• Check the level of coolant in the catch tank to ensure there is enough (overflow tank).
• Check the fuel level and the fuel/water separators on diesel systems. As needed, add fuel and remove water from the separators.
• Inspect the fuel-supply pipework for leaks or visible damage in gaseous units.
• Check for any loose clamps or wire connections, as well as any corrosion or damage to the terminals or wires.
• Check if there are any corrosion signs on the battery.
• Check the battery charger’s function.

Reach Out to Us

If you are looking for a reliable silent diesel generator in India, you may check out our products. Call Skyline Power Solutions at +91-9212552666 for more details.