SummerTime
Generator Tips
With summer season here, your standby
generator should be maintained properly
& special attention should be paid to key areas.
Here are some generator maintenance
tips for warm weather:
TIP #1:
Batteries
Batteries are the single most common cause
of generator failure. These failures are primarily
caused by three factors:
Battery deterioration:
As batteries age, the acid inside will coat the
lead plates with sulfate resulting in the battery
being unable to generate enough amps to crank
the engine.This process can also lead to shorts
if the lead debris from deterioration makes
contact between plates at the bottom of the
cell. Ensuring that the tops of the batteries are
clean & free of oil residue & dirt will help
prevent shorts between the poles of the
battery, which can lead to faster battery
cell deterioration.
Battery charger failure:
Battery chargers commonly fail due to
a breaker being open or tripped, generally
caused by improper maintenance procedures.
Always double check to make sure the battery
charger breaker has been turned back on after
completion of routine or scheduled
maintenance. Once initially installed, battery
chargers are relatively maintenance free &
should only be checked for calibration
purposes during the life of your generator.
Poor/loose battery connections:
Battery cable connections
should always be securely tightened, cleaned
& free of debris. Any buildup of corrosion or
debris can lead to shorted connections during
cranking cycle, discharge of battery &
deterioration of battery cables/wiring.
Make sure battery saver is applied to
batteries to prevent corrosion at each service.
All of these conditions can be prevented by
proper maintenance of the generator &
it’s batteries by qualified technicians to
ensure that the equipment is properly
serviced & maintained & that the batteries
& cabling are replaced every 2-3 years per
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
TIP #2:
Cooling Systems
Cooling systems, especially in summer heat,
should be a focus to ensure that when your
generator is called upon to operate it functions
properly. While the name “antifreeze” leads
some to believe that it only serves to prevent
the engine from freezing in cold winter months,
it serves the dual purpose of keeping the engine
cool during operating temperatures, which can
exceed 88 degrees Celsius.
Proper coolant system maintenance includes
the following:
Coolant levels:
Maintaining the proper coolant
level is the bare minimum to ensure your
equipment can withstand summer heat.
Low coolant levels are “shut down” faults
on generators. This means if the generator
senses a coolant level below the acceptable
tolerances, the generator controller will prevent
the engine from starting, even during
an outage. This is because low coolant levels
can lead to air pockets in the cooling system,
which leads to improper cooling, overheating,
& can also cause premature failure of engine
components such as seals & water pumps.
Coolant mixture:
Always make sure when filling your coolant
to use either a 50/50 premix coolant,
or coolant concentrate mixed to a 50/50
ratio with deionized water.
Using deionized water is essential when mixing
coolant as regular tap water can lead to
hard-water buildup in the engine,
called scale, which can restrict the flow
of coolant and clog the radiator.
Coolant condition &
protection:
Proper generator maintenance procedures
include checking the coolant for freeze point
levels & for carboxylate levels on a pass/fail
basis. Antifreeze should be field tested on a
routine basis & if unnecessary changed every
2-3 years or if the coolant becomes discoloured,
contains sediment or loses its protective
properties.
Block heaters:
Block heaters have a misleading name in
that most people assume they are only
needed in the cooler winter months. Where
in actuality, block heaters are essential year
round in ensuring that your equipment will
start & come to speed in a timely manner by
assisting your generator to reach
combustion faster.
Cooling system/block
heater hoses:
Over time, cooling system and block
heater hoses deteriorate due to high operating
temperatures. The most common points of
failure on hoses are near the hose clamps or
crimping points, which can be found by
inspecting for cracks or deterioration around
these critical points. Both coolant & block
heater hoses should be replaced every 3-5 years
to prevent failure and ensure proper operation.
Keeping your generator operational &
ready to carry your critical building load
during a power outage is the sole concern
for Saunders Electric.
Let us provide you with a maintenance program
to suit your needs & we can help maximize your
generator uptime, decrease the probability of
failures & provide you with the 24/7/365
support of our on-call staff to respond
to any emergency scenario that may arise.
At Saunders Electric, we pride ourselves
in providing great customer service & providing
the best certified professionals to assist you
with all your generator needs.