Not all generators are created the same and the size does matter for 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 take into account 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 consume more power and therefore will need a generator with a bigger size.

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 if deploying over a wide variety of environments, especially those with colder climates, as diesel is a more stable fuel and less receptive to freezing.

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. Make sure that the area around the generator is free 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 culprit that causes standby power systems to fail, is that the starting battery is weak or undercharged. Even when kept fully charged and maintained, lead-acid starting batteries will deteriorate over time and therefore has 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 to occur.

Of important mention is that voltage check is actually not an accurate method of testing a battery’s power. The generator’s battery should always be tested under load.

Generator cooling system. During your routine generator checkup, make sure that the coolant is filled to the proper level. The cooling fluid mix is a balanced solution and will invariably differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it is essential that the solution being used with your generator is the one that is approved for use by the manufacturer.

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 exercise 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 having the need to activate your generator in an emergency and your generator can’t perform. Run your generators at least once a week and under load to be certain that they are at optimal conditions.

It is tempting to think that all generator manufacturers are alike and produces 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; focusing only on selling you products and offloading as many pieces of equipment as it can to you, without considering your exact needs and objectives. Many will choose to gloss over facts on 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 helps you save more money in the long run, while at the same time giving you the optimal tools to generator more opportunities to grow your business.

It cannot be stressed enough that working with the right generator brand is key to ensuring that your long-term business interests are well taken care of.

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. Talk to us today to find out more about what Denyo can do for you.