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Reasons Why Your Standby Generator Could Fail

Diesel generators are the leading choice for residential, commercial and industrial off-grid power generation for good reason. They’re renowned for their durability, minimal maintenance, and efficiency, as well as their ability to provide enough power to meet high industrial and commercial demands. If you have a diesel generator for standby power, then you’re one of many home and business owners who have the ultimate peace of mind in the event of a power outage – but this doesn’t mean these machines are incapable of failure. Here are the most common reasons for diesel generator breakdowns. 


Common reasons why diesel generators fail to start automatically.
  • The switch was left in the “Off” position rather than the “Auto” position.
  • The starter batteries are worn out and/or very old.
  • The fuel filter was clogged due to old fuel or water in the fuel.
  • Air in the fuel system. To meet today’s emissions requirements, there are closer tolerances within the fuel system that makes them more likely to fail on start-up when air is present.
  • Breaker trip in the event of a power outage.
Prevent these power generation issues with simple maintenance

The good news is that these issues are very simple to prevent and don’t even require a call to your technician. Here is what to do:
  • Once a month, run the generator to check for faults, to check the condition of the batteries, and to prevent air build-up in the fuel system.
  • Ensure the starter batteries are replaced every 36 months (even if they are still working.
  • Keep additional supplies of diesel in a cool space and replace if it is older than 6 months.
  • If you want your diesel to last longer, add manufacturer-recommended biocides or stability treatments to help prevent the oxidisation of the fuel.
  • Keep the fuel tank of the standby power generator as full as possible to prevent moisture accumulation in the tank. If your generator isn’t going to be used for a period of 6 months or longer, you should drain the fuel tank completely or run it every month for around 20-30 minutes to keep it in working order.
  • Check your fuel quality and use algae inhibitors if water vapour is present.
  • Check the air filter every 80-120 hours of operation and change it once per year.
  • Change the engine oil every 100-200 hours of operation or once per year.
Replacement new and used diesel generators for primary and standby power generation

Energy Power Systems is your partner for CAT diesel generators and standby power generation solutions in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. We supply commercial and industrial clients with high-quality new and used generators as well as ancillary equipment to meet power generation requirements of any size, from supplying offices with power generation solutions to supplying mines and construction sites with primary power. For more information on our gas or diesel generators for purchase or rental, please contact us today.





  


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