To get the most out of your generator, regular maintenance is essential. In the unfortunate event of a power outage, you need to prevent key equipment and systems from going down – and this means having a generator that is working at full capacity.
Generators rely on fuel systems and operate with many moving parts, so they are prone to the odd breakdown.
A generator repair service is an important part of maintenance for your diesel generator. When you contact a power company, you’ll find that many offer a tailored generator repair service based on what works best for your needs and equipment.
If you want your generator to perform when it’s really needed, then it’s in your best interests to schedule in regular checks, tests and service visits.
Generator Service Overview
Some components of your generator will need weekly or monthly checks, depending on how much the generator is in use. This includes checking the levels of your fuel and coolant.
Other types of maintenance that can be done during a service are:
- Checking electrical wiring and battery cables
- Checking and replenishing fuel, oil and coolant
- Replacing air filters
- Testing batteries.
It’s good practice to keep routine maintenance logs for your generator, along with schedules for when your next service is required. This will be based on the model of generator you have, how much it’s used and the conditions on site.
Work with a good service partner and they should take the time to understand your needs and provide tailored solutions.
What Services Are Provided In A Generator Repair Service?
When you get your generator serviced or repairs carried out, you’ll typically be offered a range of services, from inspections to preventative maintenance.
Inspections
Regular inspections are key to keeping a generator in good working order, and it often takes an expert eye to detect issues. During an inspection, your technician will check all of the essential components including exhaust systems, control systems and electrical equipment.
If a problem is found, it can then be repaired – this can often prevent a minor issue turning into a major one, which could potentially cause the generator to fail at a crucial moment.
Preventive Maintenance
Maintenance services on your generator normally include:
- Load bank testing
- Fuel system servicing
- Checking cooling systems
- Testing batteries.
Generator Repair
If you know for a fact your generator has broken, or if on inspection the technician finds a fault, it should be repaired right away.
It may require new parts to be sourced and replaced, or for more complex repairs to be carried out.
Why Repair Matters for Industrial Generators
If you’re relying on a generator as your emergency power backup solution, it’s absolutely vital to book in regular repair service visits.
It’s a common mistake to assume that just because the generator is not in use, it doesn’t need any maintenance or repairs. Quite the opposite is true – generators that aren’t used are more likely to suffer from problems such as flat batteries or dirty fuel.
Without regular maintenance and testing, you’ll never be fully sure that your generator will do its job in an emergency. By this time, it’ll be too late.
Here are just a few of the other reasons servicing and repair matters for industrial generators:
Preventing Fuel Problems
Without proper maintenance, your generator can become a lot more susceptible to fuel problems. If fuel is stored on site or in the generator for long periods of time without being used, it can become contaminated with water, microbial growth and other residue. This can easily cause generator failure, as well as potentially damaging components.
This can all be checked during a service, and if necessary – fuel polishing can be carried out to clean and replenish your fuel supplies.
Keeping Your Generator Running Longer
A generator is an expensive purchase for most businesses, so you’ll want your investment to last as long as possible.
If you keep up with maintenance, you’ll effectively expand the working lifespan of the generator – as well as improving its efficiency.
Maximum Reliability
For many organisations, generators are an essential safety net in case of an unexpected power cut. You need to know – not just hope – that when the time comes, your generator will start and run as expected, powering essential systems until mains power is restored.
Without regular checks and tests, you simply won’t be able to guarantee the reliability of your backup power solution.
Avoiding Accidents
Generators run on fuel such as diesel, which can pose safety hazards in the case of fuel leakage or improper storage. There’s also the risk of ventilation problems making certain parts of your site unsafe for staff.
A service visit will identify any problems and offer recommendations for improvements, as well as making sure your generator is running safely and smoothly.
Saving You Money
Generator servicing and maintenance does cost money, but it’s well worth the investment. Ignoring maintenance could cost you a small fortune in the long run, as a fault that’s easy to fix if detected early could end up damaging equipment and racking up expensive repair bills. In a worst-case scenario, you could end up needing to replace the generator altogether.
There’s also the cost of downtime to consider. A failed generator means no emergency back-up power, which means that all operations stop, productivity plummets and orders get missed.
It can be seriously expensive – according to a statistic quoted in The Manufacturer, the average hourly cost of downtime is anywhere between £1,700 and £7,500.
Do I Need A Generator Maintenance Package?
The easiest way to keep on top of essential maintenance is to sign up for a generator service package. The company which supplied your generator should be able to offer this. It means you don’t ever have to worry about when your equipment needs to be serviced, as it’s all handled for you.
Here at Pleavin Power, we offer Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Packages, with each plan tailored to the needs of the client.
With nationwide coverage, 24/7 emergency support and extra services ranging from fuel polishing to generator refurbishment and reconditioning, you can be confident that your generator is in excellent hands.
