How to Ensure Used Portable Generators Run Efficiently

How to Ensure Used Portable Generators Run Efficiently for a Lifetime of Service

There is nothing more important for the efficient use and long life of used portable generators than set standards for correct maintenance. Here are a few things that should be on the checklist as standard practices in maintaining an industrial diesel used portable diesel generators and a natural gas generator.

Storage and Maintenance 0f Diesel Used Portable Generators

1. Always start the generator with “no load.”
2. Only accelerate and run your generator after it has been running under no load for three to five minutes. After that, accelerate and load the generator. Once its water temperature is above 75℃, the oil temperature rises above 50℃, and the engine’s oil pressure is at or above 0.25Mpa, it can be safely allowed to run normally.
3. Always be ready to take emergency shutdown measures in order to prevent damage due to overeating or loss of oil pressure.
4. Except for marine diesel generators, never start a diesel used portable generator without and air filter.
5. When adjusting belt tension and various driving devices, a diesel generator should be set to park.
6. Only allow a professional company to remove any generator seals.
7. Check fashioning nuts and bolts making sure none are loose.
8. Be sure the wire connecting the generator and battery is removed to avoid accidental start.
9. Never mix engine oil with different specifications.
10. Do a thorough cleaning of the engine body monthly.
11. Replace cooling liquid and antifreeze oil.
12. Cover your generator with a tent in the summer or rainy seasons.

Some Tips about a Portable Natural Gas Generator

Most of the same rules apply to the maintenance of a portable natural gas generator as with diesel with the addition of:

1. Oil – You should check the oil level in a portable natural gas generator every time it is used. This should be checked every 100 hours and each new season. If the generator has been used in a dirty environment or during extremely hot weather, the oil should be checked and changed more frequently.

Allow 10 minutes after stopping your generator to allow oil to drain back into the oil pan.
Perform a monthly performance and safety checkup. Fuel lines can be subject to vibrations that caused fittings to loosen. Should you suspect your natural gas generator is leaking, call an authorized service dealer immediately. Things to check for every month include:

• Fuel lines
• Coolant level on liquid-cooled machines
• Oil level
• Battery — ensure battery cables are not loose and are free of corrosion
• Water supplies
• Enclosure check — dirt, debris, and corrosion

By establishing these standard procedures, you can ensure you diesel and/or natural gas portable generators run like they just left the factory for a lifetime of service .

Check The Oil In Your Generator At Regular Intervals 

One of the main reasons why generators breakdown is due to a lack of oil. Therefore, it is important that you check and change your oil at regular intervals in order to prevent this. When you get your generator, check the oil, as many generators are transported with little or no oil in them. 

It is then important to test the oil levels after the generator has had its first run, to make sure that everything is working correctly. The manual of the generator will have a note of the manufacturer’s guidelines which will tell you how often the oil should be checked. 

You will also need to take into account a number of external factors that include the weather and how often your generator will be running. It is also important to take into account the external environment that your generator is in – for example, if you are running a generator at a manufacturing site where there is a lot of dust, the oil will become dirtier more quickly and will need to be checked and changed more regularly. 

If Your Generator Has A Battery – Make Sure That It Is Charged 

Not all generators have batteries, however many portable generators do come with one as they are being moved around. Generators that have an electric start feature do have batteries, and it is important that they are fully charged before you use them. In order to keep the battery well charged and ready to go when you need it, you could also use a trickle charger. 

As well as making sure that the battery is up and running, with any generator, it is important to run it semi-regularly to keep the oil moving around the engine, allowing the engine parts to stay lubricated. This will mean that they are less likely to break. Even if your generator is not in use, run it for a few minutes every month to keep it maintained.