How to increase the lifespan of your generator

Investing in a generator is a significant expense for any business and it is an asset you want to ensure lasts for as long as possible. Generators can run for decades with the correct maintenance and upkeep; here are our tips for increasing the lifespan of your purchase:

Change oil and oil filters regularly

Over time the oil in your engine reduces in viscosity due to heat exposure and collects sludge forming dirt particles. Contaminated oil not only reduces fuel economy but can also shorten the overall lifespan of the generator due to restricted oil flow, engine hot-spots and corrosion. As a general rule, it is suggested that you change the oil before every 100 hours of use to keep the lubrication system working smoothly and prevent the engine from seizing up. Changing the oil filters will help to extract soot and metal contaminants from the oil. Your generator may also have a low-oil shutdown feature built in which will help prevent damage from running with low or no oil.

Servicing and air filters

Diesel engines require a clean air supply for combustion. When air filters become blocked with debris the airflow is significantly restricted, causing reductions in engine power, lower engine lifespan and increased fuel consumption. A newly installed air filter will protect the combustion chamber, pistons and cylinder linings from contaminants normally found in the air such as pollen, dust, and soot from exhaust fumes.

Fuel quality and filters

While choosing a low grade, or cheaply sourced diesel fuel may seem tempting at first, the savings you make in the short term may cost you more further down the line. All diesel begins to degrade from the moment it leaves the refinery, and so it is essential to make sure that your supply is clear and free from the biodegradable particles which can block and damage the engine’s fuel system. Find out more about how to store your diesel correctly here. Any reputable generator service company will be able to offer you a fuel sampling service to check the quality of the diesel you intend to use.

Yearly load bank testing

If a generator is rarely used or operates regularly on a low load, the optimum temperature is not reached and carbon deposits from unburnt fuel collect around the combustion chamber, pistons and exhaust systems. When a generator is pushed to its full capacity during a load bank test the excess carbon deposits are burnt off. Find out more about the importance of load bank testing here.