Even the very best power generators need regular maintenance to guarantee peak performance. Generators need to be serviced by trained engineers to ensure they are serviced correctly, remain functional, and all the components and equipment are maintained and repaired if necessary.
However, between service visits, there are 5 checks you can do onsite to help ensure the smooth running of your generator and to spot any repairs that are needed before they become a problem.
What to Check on a Generator
Here are our top five tips featured on our weekly generator maintenance checklist:
1 – Check Coolant & Oil Levels
The first check that will be beneficial to the running of your backup or prime power generator is checking the fluid levels, which include the coolant and oil. Once you have checked the level to ensure it is adequate, and topped it up if required, it is a good idea to visually check for any leaks or anything that looks abnormal.
Checking the diesel or petrol tank is also a good idea to ensure you don’t need the fuel polishing or replacing.
2 – Check Battery Voltage
The second check to make within your weekly routine is the battery voltage. The process for this is controller specific, so please contact us and we can send you a “how-to-guide” for your specific controller to help you complete your battery voltage check effectively, reducing the likelihood of battery failure or damage.
3 – Check Generator Attenuator & Exhausts
The third step in your weekly routine generator checks and onsite servicing is checking that the attenuator and exhausts are clear of any blockages. These blockages can be caused by an accumulation of dust, or even a bird’s nest and other items, so a check for any sign of anything accumulating to help prolong the life and function of your generator.
4 – Test Run Offload
The fourth step is to run a weekly test run offload for a duration of five minutes. Running the generator with no electrical load can ensure that it starts successfully without affecting business operations. This is to ensure that the generator can start up before switching over to generator power from the main supply.
5 – Check Generator Bodywork
Lastly, the fifth step is to check the generator’s bodywork for any signs of rusting or damage, and attend to any repairs or damaged parts to ensure the generator runs safely in between servicing.
If you aren’t sure how often you should test your generator or run generator maintenance, we can help. We advise that you perform these initial checks on your power generator weekly. This inspection can be vital to supporting your power supply and making sure it stays reliable, with valuable insight into the health of your generator.
Trying to undertake more advanced maintenance work is always a risk if you are not qualified. But if you want to be more hands-on with your generator, we recommend a HawkEye2 remote monitoring contract.
HawkEye2 offers added protection through 24/7 remote monitoring and can be used with all makes and sizes of standby generators. Remote monitoring ensures any issues are flagged up and rectified before your hour of need – not during it. Sometimes you won’t even have to wait for an engineer to arrive.
Once a week, HawkEye2 automatically starts your generator and runs it for 10 minutes, checking vital operating parameters such as voltage, frequency, oil and water temperature, battery condition, emergency stop, and fuel levels. After the test, a full condition report is sent to Shenton Group’s HawkEye2 monitoring centre. You can also receive SMS or voicemail reports straight to your phone.
HawkeEye 2 in a nutshell:
- Fully-automatic operation 24/7
- Continuous monitoring of generator conditions
- Notification of mains failure and generator operation
- Confirmation of a successful test run
- Automatic low fuel warning.
When it comes to the physical maintenance and repair work on your generator, we have strategically placed depots across the UK and a nationwide network of technical engineers and support staff to provide help with whatever you need.
We promise the highest standards of UPS and power generator servicing, testing, generator repair, maintenance, and emergency response to ensure your diesel generator reliability. If you aren’t sure how to repair a generator, or if you need to know how to check generator oil levels or the battery voltage, please give us a call.
For more information on our generator maintenance support and generator servicing, get in contact today.