A generator needs regular maintenance to work properly. Routine inspections catch minor issues at their earliest stages before they have a chance to cause serious damage and costly repairs.
Wiring issues, for example, can corrode or fray over time. During maintenance, your technician can replace or repair them. Fuel problems, like clogged filters or algae in the tank, are another common generator repair issue. Contact Repair Generac Generator for professional help.
A generator’s wiring is vulnerable to damage from corrosion, fraying and accidental cuts. During regular maintenance, a technician inspects the wires and ensures they are intact and functioning properly. If signs of trouble appear, such as low voltage warnings or malfunctioning gauges, it’s essential to have the wiring repaired right away.
Likewise, fuel lines are prone to contamination from algae, bacteria and sediments that can clog the fuel line and cause failure. When these contaminants are spotted early, they are easy to fix. Performing small maintenance tasks on a regular basis can help to mitigate performance issues and reduce the risk of more expensive repairs down the road.
Even the smallest problems can cost money in wasted energy, which is why it’s essential to address them as soon as possible. A professional service can identify and repair small issues with a generator before they escalate, saving you thousands over the lifespan of the unit.
When addressing electrical problems, it’s important to work with a licensed electrician. Attempting to troubleshoot, repair or modify an electrical system without proper training can be dangerous and illegal in some areas.
In addition, it is a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and follow it closely. Depending on the equipment, some parts may need to be replaced more frequently than others. For example, battery replacements should be done every 2-3 years to maintain optimal performance.
Lastly, it’s important to perform regular cleaning tasks on the generator. This can include touching up chipped paint and installing base fascia to protect the generator from water and dirt. In addition, a regular cleaning can also prevent unwanted pests from inhabiting the equipment. Insects, rodents and birds can cause significant damage to a generator, so it’s essential to keep them away from the unit. A good way to do this is by placing traps around the unit, cleaning out any nests and sealing any openings to prevent entry. This can be a time-consuming process, but it’s an effective method for preventing unwanted visitors.
Fuel
It’s easy to understand why a generator is a reliable safety and security tool for your home or business, but many owners overlook the importance of regular maintenance. When a generator malfunctions, it may be due to a number of factors, including dirty fuel, air in the system, or old batteries. If the generator is not functioning properly, the owner will need to call in a repair technician.
The wires inside a generator can corrode, fray, or be cut. This can affect the flow of power, causing malfunctions or stopping the unit from starting altogether. A wiring inspection is an important component of a comprehensive maintenance check, as is checking the voltage of fuses and circuit breakers. A trained technician will know to look for these problems.
Just like the battery in your car, generator batteries die over time. A good quality battery should last several years, but they still need a little TLC. Regular battery maintenance checks should be done to determine if the battery needs to be replaced, and to ensure that the charger is doing its job properly.
Fuel leaks are another common problem that should be addressed immediately by a trained maintenance technician. Leaky fuel, coolant, and oil can cause significant damage to the engine and other components in the generator. A professional can spot these issues during a routine inspection, and make sure they are repaired promptly before they lead to larger repairs.
In this case, the fuel tank on this 180kW diesel generator was contaminated with algae and sediment that had built up over time in the storage tank. This caused the fuel pump to work overtime, clogging the fuel filters as it tried to push through the thick, contaminated fuel. Eventually, the fuel pump burned out. Had this generator been properly maintained with a Fuel Management plan that included testing and stabilizing the fuel, this would have been prevented. The cost of an annual fuel test and a periodic refueling service is far less than the $13,000 repair bill this customer faced. This was an unnecessary repair that could have been avoided for just $365 per year.
Belts
A generator’s belts are flexible materials that link multiple machine parts called rotating shafts in the engine to transmit power efficiently. They are subjected to a great deal of heat, flex and vibration over the life of the unit. During a generator inspection, technicians look at the belts for cracks, proper tension and wear. They also inspect the pulleys they run on for damage and proper mounting.
Belts are susceptible to a number of problems that can cause them to break, such as vibration or over-heating from high loads. They can also become brittle and prone to cracking due to age or exposure to the elements. Regular checks help to identify these issues before they cause any disruptions to a generator’s operations.
Wiring is another area of a generator that requires routine replacement and inspection. In some cases, wiring can be exposed to corrosion or even cut by a vandal. This can lead to a variety of failures such as tripped breakers, malfunctioning gauges or low voltage warnings.
With these issues, a Generator Technician must be onsite to repair the problem, which can be costly. This is especially true if the Technician does not have the exact part needed in his service truck and must pay for overnight shipping to replace it. Scheduling this type of maintenance every three years can dramatically reduce the risk of an unscheduled repair and related fees.
Hoses are a vital component of a generator, as they carry essential liquids such as coolant, lubricating oil and fuel. These hoses are made from resistant materials which reduce premature ageing but they still need to be regularly replaced. An exhaustive hose test is conducted as part of a full inspection and involves checking the hoses visually and feeling their surface for any signs of leakage.
In addition, the belts are examined on the backside to look for cracks that may have developed in the form of lengthwise or crosswise splits. Any missing chunks of the cord structure will also indicate that it is time for a new belt as these sections will fail instantly when under stress.
Engine
The engine in your generator is crucial to its function and can become damaged if not properly maintained. This includes routine maintenance, like oil and filter changes, as well as repairs to specific areas of the engine that are causing problems. During a repair, the technician will examine the generator to determine what is causing the problem and fix it to restore full function.
Performing maintenance tasks can help detect issues in the early stages, which may save you money in the long run by preventing more serious damage to your generator. These issues can include clogged fuel filters, overheating of parts due to insufficient lubrication, and failure of the alternator or voltage regulator caused by malfunctioning parts or improper settings. Performing regular maintenance also helps keep your generator in good working condition and ensures that it will be able to power your home during a disaster.
There are many ways to become a generator mechanic, including training programs, trade schools, and apprenticeships. In addition to these educational opportunities, many generator mechanics are self-taught and learn their skills through experience and mentoring. Critical thinking is a key part of this role, as generator mechanics must be able to identify and assess issues with generators and find solutions.
While it is possible for homeowners to perform some maintenance tasks on their own, it is generally best to leave the more complex jobs to professional generator mechanics. This is especially true when attempting to do any kind of repair or replacement on a generator’s engine or alternator. These types of projects often require specialized equipment that is not typically available at your local hardware store or automotive shop.
Some of the most common generator repair and service jobs include replacing or repairing generator batteries, inspecting air filters, replacing spark plugs, cleaning hoses and clamps, testing the generator battery and charging system, examining fuel levels and quality, and performing load bank tests. The generator is a complicated piece of machinery that requires the skill of a professional to maintain and repair. Attempting to do this work yourself can result in expensive damage that will likely exceed the cost of hiring a professional.
