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.

 

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