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Preparing your Generator for Winter

Your Generator may be covered by a service contract with a rapid response but by undertaking some basic checks you can go a long way to ensuring that in the depths of the forthcoming winter you can go some way to ensuring a reliable source of emergency power.

In this article we will look at some of the common causes of Generator failure and the checks you can make to help ensure they always start, first time, every time.

Battery

One of the most common causes of Generator failure is a faulty or discharged battery. The battery is the only source of power to start the Generator in an emergency and therefore should be treated with care and respect. When the mains supply is healthy the battery is kept fully charged by its dedicated charger. Is the charger working?

Check the indicators/meters on the Generator control panel.

Check the condition and tightness of the battery terminals.

Despite their appearance, batteries are surprisingly fragile and should be treated with care. Keep the battery clean, wipe it with a soft dry cloth to remove any dirt/grease, particularly from the top. This will help prevent tracking and self discharge.

Rough handling can damage the case and cracking can occur. This can allow the electrolyte to escape. This will not only shorten the life of the battery but in extreme cases can lead to external short circuits and a possible fire hazard.

Emergency Stop Button

All Generators are fitted with an external Emergency Stop Button (‘the red mushroom’) these get pushed by accident and, as the name implies they will either stop the Generator if it is running or prevent it starting. Check the control panel for any alarms or indications that the button has be pushed, if necessary reset the panel and the button.

Fuel Contamination

Another common problem that causes starting and running problems is fuel contamination. This can take a number of forms but the most common is water. Check the fuel system and any external bulk storage tank for likely access points, pay particular attention to laying water, exposed pipework, gauges etc. Diesel fuel that lays dormant in a storage tank for long periods can be contaminated by water and can get infected by a form of bacteria. Over time this can create a ‘sludge’ that settles in the bottom of the tank. This blocks or restricts fuel pipes and can prevent Generator starting. Removal should be undertaken by a specialist external filtering systems such as our Fuel Polishing.

Exhaust Cap

Water can collect inside the engine through a faulty exhaust rain cap – check that it opens and closes freely without obstruction.

Regular Testing

Regular starting and testing of the set will help identify potential problems before they become serious reliability issues. A remote monitoring and diagnosis system such as Merlin’s Hawkeye system will continually monitor and start the set once a week to check the operation (including the fuel levels and the emergency stop button) and report the results back to a central control HQ.

Rest Assured

Service and maintenance companies such as Merlin Power Management are always on hand to respond in the event of a Generator failure but by undertaking some basic checks before the worst of the winter weather arrives you may well prevent disruption in the future.