Preventive vs corrective generator maintenance: what you need to know

Power outages are a problem in many areas. If this is the case for you, a backup power source is essential. A generator gives you power when the electricity goes out. It keeps your lights, appliances, and devices working. However, a generator is not a one-time purchase that you can forget about. It needs regular care and attention to function correctly and safely. This blog post talks about generator maintenance. It's important because it can save you a lot of money.

Why is generator maintenance necessary? 

Generator maintenance is important. It keeps your generator working well. It also helps prevent accidents and damage. This can save you money on repairs later. Keep your generator in good shape with regular maintenance. You'll need it when the power goes out. You need to be sure it works and starts right when needed. Routine generator maintenance will prevent common problems such as: 

  • Clogs: Clogs are blockages in the fuel system that prevent the fuel from reaching the engine. Dirt, rust, water, and other things can clog a generator. This can happen in the fuel tank, filters, or injectors. Clogs make the generator work poorly. Clogs can also damage the fuel pump and injectors, leading to costly repairs. 
  • Dead batteries: Dead batteries have no power. They can't start the generator. Age, corrosion, parasitic loads, or lack of use can cause dead batteries. Dead batteries stop the generator. No generator means no backup power.
  • Fuel contamination: Fuel contamination means the fuel has bad elements. This can be water, dirt, rust, or other things. Poor storage conditions, improper handling, or adulteration can cause it. Fuel contamination is terrible. It causes problems like smoke, knocking, and poor running.

Professional service saves money. Ignoring problems costs money. You might even need to buy a new generator. A well-maintained generator uses less fuel and oil, lowering costs.

Professional maintenance helps your generator last longer. It prevents wear and tear. A well-maintained generator is a good investment.

Regular maintenance tasks will help your generator reach its efficiency potential. A clean generator is better. A clean generator has many benefits. It makes more power and uses less fuel. It also pollutes less, which is good for the environment and your wallet.

What are the types of generator maintenance? 

Generator maintenance can be classified into two types: preventive and corrective. 

Preventive maintenance means taking care of things before they break. This includes regular checks, cleaning, and fixing minor problems. Preventive maintenance aims to keep your generator in optimal condition and prevent breakdowns. Some examples of preventive maintenance for generators typically include the following tasks: 

  • General inspection: A general inspection means checking the generator for problems. Look for cracks, rust, leaks, or damage. Check the fuel, exhaust, air intake, and electrical systems. Also, check the control panel. This helps find and fix problems early.
  • Inspect battery: You must inspect the battery to check for enough power. Make sure they are not damaged or dirty. Clean and fix any loose connections. Change old or weak batteries. Checking the batteries can make sure that they can start the generator when you need it. 
  • Check intake and exhaust: Check the air filter, fuel filter, and spark plugs. Clean or replace them if dirty. Check the exhaust pipe for leaks, cracks, or heat damage. Fix or replace it if needed. This keeps the generator running well and reduces problems.
  • Engine exercise: Run the generator for at least 30 minutes each month. Check the generator for problems while it's running, including voltage, frequency, and temperature. This exercise also involves checking the oil and fuel and adding or changing them if they are low or bad. This keeps the fuel from going rancid. It also helps the battery and engine stay in good condition. 

Corrective maintenance means fixing things after they break. This is usually more expensive and takes longer than fixing things before they break.

Here are some examples of fixing a generator. This helps it work again and prevents more problems.

  • Repairing or replacing a damaged starter motor that prevents the generator from starting. 
  • Fix or replace a bad alternator. A bad alternator can't power the electrical system or charge the battery.
  • Fix or replace a leaking fuel tank.
  • Repairing or replacing a worn or broken belt that drives the cooling fan or the water pump. 
  • Fix or replace a clogged or rusty exhaust manifold or muffler. These problems affect the engine and cause pollution.
  • Fix or replace a bad control panel or circuit breaker. These parts can cause the generator to stop working.

How often should you perform generator maintenance? 

How often you maintain your generator depends on a few things. This includes the type, size, age, and how much you use it. Always follow what the maker says about service. Typically, these include: 

  • Daily: Each day, check the oil, coolant, fuel, battery, and for any leaks or strange noises.
  • Weekly: Check the air filter, fuel filter, belts, hoses, wiring, and connections.
  • Monthly: Check the oil filter and coolant filter. Check the spark plugs and exhaust system. Check the control panel.
  • Quarterly: Every three months, change the oil and oil filter. You might need to do this more often, depending on how much you use it. Do the same for the coolant, coolant filter, and fuel filter. Clean or change the air filter, and test the battery and charger.

Who should perform generator maintenance? 

You can do some basic tasks yourself. But, most generator maintenance needs special skills and tools. It is better to hire a professional. They have the experience and knowledge to do it right. A professional service provider will: 

  • Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and industry standards for generator maintenance.
  • Use proper equipment and safety measures to avoid accidents and injuries.
  • Detect and diagnose any issues or potential problems with your generator.
  • Perform repairs or replacements with quality parts and materials. 

Give you a full report on the service done and ways to make it better.

Conclusion

This blog shared tips for generator maintenance. You learned how to do this yourself. If it seems too hard, hire a professional. Here are the main points we have covered: 

Preventive maintenance: Regularly checking and fixing your generator helps you:

  • Avoid common problems that can affect your generator.
  • Make your generator run better and last longer.

Corrective maintenance: Fixing your generator after it breaks is more expensive and time-consuming. It also:

  • Can cause more damage to your generator.
  • Makes your generator less efficient and shortens its life.
  • How to perform preventive maintenance tasks, such as: 

○ General inspection.

○ Inspect batteries 

○ Check intake and exhaust 

○ Engine exercise 

  • How to deal with corrective maintenance situations, such as: 

○ Some generator parts may need to be fixed or changed if they stop working or cause problems. 

These parts include:

  • the starter motor
  • the alternator
  • the fuel tank
  • the exhaust manifold
  • the muffler
  • the control panel
  • the circuit breaker

Fixing or changing these parts helps the generator work properly. Make sure your generator starts, runs, and stops correctly. This will prevent damage and help it last for years.



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