What is the Maintenance of a Diesel Generator Set?

Maintenance on a diesel generator set is about the same as owning a diesel powered car. Routine maintenance like oil, oil filter, air filter, and fuel filter. For cold  and tropical climates it is advise to have a water-fuel separation filter system installed. The worse enemy of a diesel generator set is moisture because the water properties create advance ignition and accelerated detonation.

Maintenance on a diesel generator set requires you start up and exercise your generator set.. Setting up a regular program for starting up your diesel generator set is the prefer way. How much, depends, the bigger the diesel generator set the bigger the engine and expense for operation and consumables. Most manufactures recommend exercising the genset for about a half-hour of run time, once a week. You will want it to run long enough  to heat up all the components.

The engine oil will need to be change every 100 to 250 hours depending on the dust conditions. Changing the oil filter every time you change the oil is another good practice for the maintenance on a diesel generator set. Air filters need to changed and diesels generator set need a lot of clean air to operate properly. You should check the air filter every 100 hours and every 50 hours in dusty environments. Setting up a regular scheduled maintenance service is the key to long-life and performance for your genset.

The generator end of a diesel generator set requires no service unless you live in a dusty environment. The maintenance on a diesel generator set in a dusty environment is to use a high pressure air hose and occasionally blow out the dust from the generator system. Dirt and dust particles can cause shorts in the internal wiring coating. High heat and dust are enemy of power generator.

In the aftermath of the recent storms along the southern coast line of the US that as many as one-third of the backup generators didn't start. Most of this was from the lack of little or no maintenance performed since the unit was installed. Many owners thing the cost of regular maintenance is to high. My question is what the cost of installing a genset that doesn't work when needed? 

Date:2009-1-26　【Return】