How To Extend the Life of Your Generator

Generators are costly investments and you want to extend your generator’s lifespan for as long as possible. In addition to regular generator load bank service, the following are some things you can do to keep your generator operating at optimal efficiency. Your generator can deliver reliable power for anywhere from 20 to 40 years with proper care and attention to detail.

Change the Batteries

Batteries will lose their charge as time marches forward. In most cases, it’s advisable to replace your generator batteries every two years; however, you may be able to extend this out to 36 months if the battery is still delivering sufficient power.

Don’t Skip the Maintenance

It would be best if you planned to perform a full maintenance inspection every six months, or at a minimum, after every 400 hours of running time. Each generator has its own manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule and tasks. This includes changing the air, fuel, and oil filters, flushing the fuel tanks, inspecting and clearing the crankcase breathers, performing generator load bank service, etc. It is important to perform these tasks and record the results of each inspection to confirm warranty compliance. And, if anything is discovered during the inspection, make sure to perform any necessary repairs promptly.

Perform Generator Load Bank Testing

When you have a lightly loaded generator, gas ash, carbon, and other deposits will begin to accumulate within the system. Running a generator load bank test can burn these deposits away and extend your generator’s efficiency and lifespan. It also helps reduce the risk of generator failure.

Invest in High Quality Fuel

Fuel is expensive, and while you may save a penny here and penny there, we guarantee that the money you save today will come back to haunt you down the road. The cost of cheap, poor quality fuel simply isn’t worth it, and you will spend more to service, maintain, and replace your generator set in the long run. We strongly recommend that you carefully research your fuel provider and regularly test your fuel for quality.

Create Optimal Conditions

Position your generator within a spacious enclosure. Make sure this enclosure is regularly cleaned and that it is well-ventilated. It is also important to ensure the enclosure is secured against the threat of flooding and that the generator is secured from unauthorized access but can be easily accessed by authorized maintenance personnel.

Don’t Ignore Warnings

Whether it’s a strange sound or a knocking noise that is getting louder, if either sensors or personnel detect problems, shut the generator down, and investigate the problem. Don’t delay any necessary repairs, and don’t try and run the generator with haphazard temporary repairs.

For more about our generator load bank service and the other maintenance and testing services we offer, contact Gen-Tech Power Generation Specialists at (800) 625-8324. It is our pleasure to help you keep your generators operational for as long as possible.

Posted Under: generator load bank service