10 Common Generator Selection Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

Utilization of diesel generator set is one of the crucial investments that can be done by various companies, construction sites, and even industries considering their durability and long-lasting nature. However, there are quite a few individuals who waste a lot of money and break down their generator sets because of committing certain errors during procurement and maintenance.

Smart Selection: Avoiding Common Buying Mistakes

The process of buying a generator begins with a clear understanding of your specific needs.Conduct a Power Audit: Before purchasing, perform an energy audit to determine the exact wattage and amperage required to handle your equipment's load.
 

Get the Right Size: When you get a generator that is too small, it can easily overload the equipment, making it break down. At the same time, if the generator is too large, it may cause “wet stacking” that involves the buildup of unburned fuel in the exhaust, leading to fuel wastage and fires.
 

Understand the Differences Between Power Ratings: You need to be aware of whether the generator is being used as Standby Power (during emergencies like failures in utility power supply) or as Prime Power (in cases where the generators run continuously in remote areas with no connections to the utility power).
 

Check Before Purchasing the Generator: You should always test the load capacity before purchasing any generator.
 

Check the Place of Installation: The place chosen for the installation of the generator must be spacious enough to ventilate and physically maintain the equipment.
 

Maintenance Services: Ensuring That Your Generator Is Working Well You require maintenance services to make your generator work well.
 

Schedule Maintenance Work: Ensure that everything that is on the maintenance schedule is done.
 

Ensure Good Fuel Quality: Fuel quality is affected by its degradation and moisture absorption, which leads to microbes growing in the tanks and affecting fuel injections. Apply the stabilizers and separators.
 

Keep It Running: In the same way as a car, your generator needs running from time to time. Regular exercise will help you ensure that there is fuel circulation in the tank and that oil gets circulated around the engine.
 

Check Important Parts: Ensure that there are no problems with the cooling system and check the battery voltage. The bad battery is one of the reasons for malfunction.

FAQs

What is wet stacking and what are its dangers?
Wet stacking results from running a diesel engine at a low loading level, leading to the build-up of fuel that does not burn completely in the exhaust system. This affects the efficiency of the exhaust, damages the fuel injectors, leads to increased fuel usage, and may be dangerous because it can cause fires.
 

How can I decide whether Standby or Prime power is better for me?
Select Standby power if you require it just as backup power during occasional power outages (rated for 200-300 hours yearly). Select Prime power if you have a remote site or round-the-clock continuous power generation with no power grid in place.
 

How often do I need to service my air filters?
You need to regularly check your air filters monthly. However, if you use your generator in dusty areas such as construction sites or workshops, you should check your air filters more often.
 

Is it possible to undertake generator maintenance on my own?
Although simple inspections can be done by the workforce, it is strongly advised to use professionals for the regular servicing of generators. Professional personnel will be able to detect any problem that may not have been seen by anyone else.
 

Why is it necessary to do load bank testing?
This test allows checking whether the engine and the alternator are reliable by mimicking the real electric load. Another reason for conducting the test is to prevent wet stacking because the engine will be able to heat up properly.