Generator Maintenance

In our previous article, we discussed the criteria for choosing a generator and the important points to consider when purchasing one. By paying attention to these points, you have selected your generator and started using it. Remember, your generator, like your car, requires maintenance. Just as you do not neglect your car’s maintenance and perform it on time, you should not ignore the maintenance of your generator, one of whose main components is the diesel engine.

GENERATOR MAINTENANCE SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED

Even if you won’t experience a power outage for a long time and do not need your generator, an unexpected outage could occur. If your generator fails to work due to lack of maintenance when you need it, you will regret it. Furthermore, if the generator belongs to a factory, the resulting production losses and financial losses will increase your regret even more.

GENERATOR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Daily or weekly checks include:

• Battery charge control
• Engine coolant level check
• Generator engine oil level check
• Oil leakage check
• Fuel level check
• Idle operation for 20–30 minutes weekly

We recommend making a periodic maintenance agreement with the company you purchased your generator from.

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE

During monthly maintenance, the following checks are performed:

• Engine oil level and quality
• Generator battery check
• Battery charging unit check
• Oil and water leak checks
• Air, oil, and fuel filter inspection
• Hose clamp inspection
• Electrical wiring and connections check
• Voltage output check
• Antifreeze level and condition check
• Engine RPM check
• Exhaust inspection
• Belt inspection
• Operation hours recording
• Safety, protection, and alarm system check
• Load rate check
• Fuel level check
• Cooling system inspection
• Engine block heater check
• Starter system check

After these checks, the generator is cleaned and run idle for about 10 minutes. A final visual inspection completes the maintenance. This monthly maintenance ensures that the generator is ready to operate reliably whenever needed.

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

In addition to monthly maintenance, annual maintenance should include:

• Engine oil and filter replacement
• Coolant level check and thermostat inspection
• Valve adjustments
• Injector maintenance and adjustments
• Starter motor and generator check
• External radiator inspection

Neglecting daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly maintenance may result in generator failure when needed. Regularly maintained generators can be used safely and reliably for many years.