7 Generator Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

In an age where reliable power is essential for businesses and critical infrastructure, generator maintenance is the unsung hero that keeps the lights on when the grid fails. However, keeping your generator in top shape is not as simple as it might seem. Many generator owners make critical generator maintenance mistakes that can lead to costly breakdowns and downtime. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of preventative generator maintenance and discuss some common mistakes to avoid in generator upkeep.

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

Before diving into the common generator maintenance mistakes, let’s emphasize why preventative maintenance is crucial. Your generator is an investment in your power security, and neglecting its care can lead to disastrous consequences. Routine maintenance ensures that your generator is always ready to kick into action when needed, providing peace of mind and reliability.

7 Generator Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

1. Neglecting Regular Maintenance

One of the most common generator maintenance mistakes is thinking that just because your generator doesn’t run often, it doesn’t require regular maintenance. Over time, critters can nest inside, chew wires, and cause various problems. Besides addressing these pest-related issues, it’s essential to pay attention to components like oil filters and fuel filters, which may need regular replacements or cleaning.

2. Presuming Fuel Remains Usable Indefinitely

Fuel inside your generator’s tank can degrade over time, affecting its performance. To prevent fuel-related issues, another one of the common generator maintenance mistakes, it’s crucial to regularly test and polish your fuel, ensuring it remains in optimal condition. The last thing you want is your generator sputtering when you need it most due to bad fuel.

3. Failing to Exercise Your Generator

Generators should be periodically exercised per a planned schedule to ensure they are in good working order. Regular operation prevents stagnation and lubricates internal components, which is crucial to maintain the longevity and effectiveness of your generator.

4. Allowing Wet-Stacking

Wet-stacking is a condition where unburned fuel and carbon build up inside the exhaust system, reducing efficiency and potentially damaging the generator. Load bank testing can alleviate this issue by simulating the generator’s full load capacity, preventing wet-stacking and maintaining peak performance.

5. Failing to Understand Compliance and Keep Reports

Generator regulations can be complex and vary by location. Failure to understand and comply with these regulations can result in fines or shutdowns. Keeping proper records and reports is essential to ensure you’re in compliance with air quality and inspection requirements.

6. Relying on an Old Battery

Generators rely on batteries to start, and these batteries have a limited lifespan. Neglecting to replace them every 3 to 5 years can lead to unexpected failures when you need your generator most.

7. Ignoring Sensors and Inspection Schedules

Our final tip to avoid generator maintenance mistakes is to utilize sensors and inspection schedules as discussed in our previous blog to keep a close eye on your generator’s health. Early detection of issues can prevent major breakdowns and costly repairs down the line.

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness is a crucial aspect of avoiding generator maintenance mistakes, as generators often serve as the last line of defense during power outages, natural disasters, or other crises. When the grid fails, a well-maintained generator can be a lifeline for businesses and critical facilities, ensuring that essential functions like lighting, HVAC, medical equipment, and communication systems continue to operate.

To be truly prepared against generator maintenance mistakes, it’s essential to have a detailed emergency plan that includes regular generator maintenance as a cornerstone. This plan should outline who is responsible for generator upkeep, when maintenance tasks are scheduled, and how often the generator should be tested to confirm its reliability. By integrating your generator into your broader emergency preparedness strategy, you can rest assured that it will function flawlessly when you need it most.

Safety Measures 

Generator maintenance comes with its own set of potential hazards, making safety a paramount concern. Generators are powerful machines with electrical components and volatile fuels, creating risks of fire, electrical shocks, and carbon monoxide poisoning. To ensure safety during maintenance, always follow safety protocols, including shutting off the generator and allowing it to cool before conducting any work. 

If you’re not a trained technician, it’s strongly recommended to enlist the services of professionals for more complex tasks. Adequate ventilation is essential when dealing with exhaust and fuel, and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed to safeguard against this silent, odorless threat. 

Finally, personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, safety goggles, and ear protection should be used, and maintenance personnel should be well-versed in emergency procedures in case something goes wrong. By prioritizing safety in generator maintenance, you not only protect yourself and your team but also ensure that your generator continues to serve as a reliable backup power source without incident.

How CD & Power Can Help

At CD & Power, we specialize in ensuring that your generator is always ready to deliver the power you need. With our expert technicians and comprehensive services, we can help you avoid these generator maintenance mistakes and keep your generator running smoothly. 

Emergency preparedness goes hand in hand with reliable generator maintenance, and this is where CD & Power’s comprehensive services truly shine. In addition to offering top-tier maintenance programs, CD & Power provides specialized emergency services to ensure that you’re never left in the dark when you need power the most. 

Our maintenance programs are not only designed to keep your generator in peak condition and avoid generator maintenance mistakes but also integrate seamlessly with your broader emergency response strategy. By partnering with CD & Power, you can rest assured that your generator will be meticulously maintained and ready to deliver power during any crisis.

Conclusion

In the world of generators, generator maintenance mistakes can be a costly and risky gamble. To guarantee your power supply remains robust and dependable, steer clear of these common maintenance mistakes. A well-maintained generator is not just an asset; it’s your insurance against power disruptions when you need it most. 

We Can Help

Ready to avoid these generator maintenance mistakes and ensure your power is always secure? Contact CD & Power today for expert assistance in maintaining your generator and safeguarding your power supply. Don’t wait until you’re in the dark; make the smart choice and prioritize your generator’s care today.