Overview
For all intents and purposes, industrial generators must be robust and reliable to withstand the extreme usage and weather conditions to which they are typically subjected. However, suboptimal arrangements and operations arising from misinformation and misguided thinking about generators construed as facts can take the wind out of even the best generators in the world and spell disaster for your business.
It is crucial to be able to distinguish between real facts and false information. Here are the top 5 so-called “facts” that need to be corrected to make the best possible use of industrial generators.
Don’t need to worry about generator size
Not all generators are created the same, and the size does matter in terms of the amount of power you will be able to receive. You’ll need to consider your power requirements – for both peak and off-peak periods – to choose the most effective generator size. Furthermore, you need to consider the types of equipment that will be powered by the generator and their specific requirements, if any. For example, equipment that uses motors or machines with compressors consumes more power and therefore requires a generator of a larger size.
Generators function the same, regardless of the fuel that they use
When considering an industrial generator, the fuel type is an important element to take into account, often being the critical factor that determines the suitability of usage in a given situation. Not all fuel types work or behave the same in every environment, and this will affect significantly how the generator performs. Generally, diesel generators are a better choice when deployed in a wide variety of environments, especially those with colder climates, as diesel is a more stable fuel and less susceptible to freezing.
Generators can operate without regular maintenance
Any equipment, be it an air conditioner, a car, or an industrial oven, needs to have regular maintenance to keep it in tip-top condition so that it will always be able to deliver the best of performance. It is no different with a generator. Your technician should at least perform the essential checks as follows:
Start with an inspection: Ensure that the area around the generator is clear of debris and other unnecessary items. Also, note that there should be sufficient ventilation. The exhaust system should be inspected, and that includes the manifold, muffler, and exhaust pipe.
Check all connecting gaskets, joints, and welds thoroughly for potential leaks or deformities. If any issue is discovered, the service technician should promptly provide rectification.
Generator fuel: Fuel is a critical component of proper generator operations, and as such, its maintenance cannot be overlooked, especially since diesel fuel degrades over time. Ideally, the fuel tank should be fitted with a valve that allows periodic draining from the tank of water accumulated. A technician can take a fuel sample from the bottom and from the supply line, which should be visually inspected monthly.
Battery testing: The most common cause of standby power systems failing is a weak or undercharged starting battery. Even when kept fully charged and maintained, lead-acid starting batteries will deteriorate over time and therefore have to be regularly checked and promptly replaced when they no longer hold a proper charge. Only a regular schedule of inspection and testing under load can prevent such problems from occurring.
Notably, a voltage check is not an accurate method for testing a battery’s power. The generator’s battery should always be tested under load.
Generator cooling system: During your routine generator checkup, ensure that the coolant is filled to the correct level. The cooling fluid mix is a balanced solution and will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it is essential that the solution used with your generator is the one approved by the manufacturer.
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) does not apply to my operations
More often than not, it’s a good idea to have an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) installed together with your generator.
The ATS will help detect any power outage. It also automatically runs your generator and exercises it weekly to keep it in operational condition. It cannot be overemphasised that keeping your generator operational is critical in an outage. The last thing you ever want is to need to activate your generator in an emergency, only to find that it can’t perform. Run your generators at least once a week, under load, to ensure they are in optimal condition.
All generator brands are the same
It is tempting to think that all generator manufacturers are alike and produce the same kinds of machines, so there is no need to consider any other factor except price. Well, nothing can be further from the truth.
Some manufacturers are only interested in the churn rate; they focus solely on selling you products and offloading as many pieces of equipment as possible to you, without considering your specific needs and objectives. Many will choose to gloss over the facts on the long-term usage of the equipment and distract you with immediate, short-term gains, so as to make you buy as quickly as possible.
On the contrary, a good generator brand is a partner that values long-term relationship building and understands your business well enough to provide you with cost-effective solutions that help you save money in the long run, while also giving you the optimal tools to generate more opportunities for business growth.
It cannot be overstated that working with the right generator brand is crucial to ensuring that your long-term business interests are well taken care of.
Get the right facts about your generators and make the most out of them
As you can see from above, having the wrong ideas or understanding of generators can create problems for your operations, and in the worst-case scenario, may lead to further challenges in your business.
All these can be alleviated with a trusted and reliable generator brand that is able to advise and support you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about what Denyo can do for you.
