Your industrial-sized power solution is meant to be reliable above all else. Reliable generators always work when you need them to and there are a couple of ways to ensure that. One of them is making sure you keep up with periodic service and maintenance performed. Your local generator service company should be proactive in helping you set up a planned generator service agreement. It’s a plan that sets out specific goals at different times and it includes the work of performing all associated testing to make sure that it works when you need it. Avoiding it opens you up to chances of generator failure. Good generator service agreements have very specific schedules for minor and major service, maintenance work, inspections and periodic testing on a pre-determined basis.
How often should an industrial generator be serviced?
This is entirely dependent on your generator size, manufacturer requirements, and your unique usage. It also depends on the model’s configurations which can include the purpose and the main fuel type it operates on. We usually recommend that the frequency of servicing for your industrial is based on its usage and runtime. As a rough guide, you should aim for a complete inspection and maintenance of your generator every 6 months with a running time of 400 hours. Generators on construction sites or in similar environments may require additional maintenance. Your preventative maintenance also includes some regular testing of the main functions of your unit. Tests and maintenance also help to quickly spot any developing problems and prevent them. Testing also helps to ensure that you are completely compliant with maintenance regulations recommended by the manufacturer as well as local councils. The point is to prevent all things that hindrances that stop the generator from running for its maximum life. Structured generator agreements can be flexible and changed based on the use of your industrial generator.
Why do you need preventative maintenance?
Commercial and industrial generators are designed for reliability and that is especially the case if you rely on a team of generator experts in Brisbane. However, they will need some help along the way and you can do that with regular maintenance to keep them in top condition. A professional will handle the major maintenance work. However, there are some things you can do, as the generator owner, every now and then to help in the monitoring process. The following are some housekeeping tips to keep your generator ready for action:
- Periodically start and run your generator, even outside of normal usage patterns. This allows all the internal fluids to activate and condition your engine.
- Make sure to check your fuel levels because you might spot signs of a leak. If the levels, presented somewhere on the unit, are depleting faster than usual then you need to call in an expert. Discovering a fuel leak can be a big preventative measure that protects you from major contaminations.
- Check your battery too because any sudden operational changes could be a sign that replacement is due.
Call in your generator professional for a minor service every 500 hours of operation and/or every 6 months. Ask the pro if you need it more frequently because of your unique environmental conditions and they can give you the best advice. This is especially important for industrial generator owners that use their units in extremely hot climates or those with premises located in dusty/sandy locations. The engine works overtime in these conditions and critical components like air filters can get clogged more frequently.
Sector-based maintenance requirements
Diesel generators play an important role in a wide range of sectors including learning facilities, hospitals, events and construction sites. These commercial and industrial sectors used their generators in different ways, and they’ll need unique servicing requirements. The general understanding is that a major service should happen right before the warmest months but if something is not right, there is plenty of time to fix it during the colder months. Standard maintenance and oil change times are recommended more frequently than minor services. You may need an oil change every 500 hours. This maintenance can extend the service life of a diesel engine. Let’s discuss everything involved in the planned preventative maintenance strategy…
What is preventative maintenance?
Preventative maintenance comprises of many important steps but the broad definition is regular generator servicing, maintenance, inspections, and testing on a generator set on a pre-determined schedule. Depending on your generator operation, a service plan, and the consequent agreement, should include the following:
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Specific timelines and detailed scheduling
Your generator service agreement is about technical Genset work but it is also supposed to be a scheduling assistant. Depending on all the factors we’ve discussed, your servicing cycle may be stipulated based on monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual requirements.
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Operating inspections
Generator inspections should be performed on the unit when operating at pre-determined intervals. How you use the generator is what defines the inspections that need to be performed while in operation. Each application requires the development of a different inspection to ensure optimum performance. You should always consult a professional and they can uniquely design the inspection you need to be performed. Inspections can include:
- Disconnection and reconnection of generator batteries
- Fuel system drainage and fuel filter changes
- Drain coolant tests and change coolant filters
- Ensure all intake and exhaust ports are covered.
- Disconnect all generator supply connections
- Load bank testing and generator bleeding
Reactive Generators is a licensed maintenance operator
Generator maintenance isn’t a suggestion nor is it something you don’t consider as highly important. Industrial generators are high powered machines that work at very high loads. Keeping up with maintenance helps to keep any system failures at bay. Speak to a professional and they can help draft comprehensive generator service agreements in Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich. Reactive Generators’ comprehensive generator service agreements could include a monthly series of small, easy-to-do tasks.
