Keeping your commercial generator up and running is one of the most important things in your business. Ensuring that it is properly maintained is important as this means that your business can rely on it as a power source. One of the main ways to maintain your generator is by checking the fluids. It is important that these are checked and changed to keep your generator running. If you are wanting more information about when and how often the fluids of your generator should be changed, then look no further.
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When should I check my generator’s fluids?
You should check the fluids of your generator at the following times.
Check when installing the generator
The first time that you should check the fluids in your generator is when it is being installed. Some commercial generator companies ship the generator without any oil in it, or with lower amounts of oil than is required. This is to prevent spillages and accidents. Checking the oil levels is therefore important at this stage, as you may need to top up the oil before the generator starts working. Purchasing a used generator means that there will be more oil in it, but it is still important to check as you do not know when the previous owner last filled it up.
When you are breaking in your generator
After your generator is installed, it is important to run the generator in order to break it in and ensure that it is working correctly. As you will be running your generator a lot during this period, it is likely that you will need to change the oil during or after this. The owner’s manual that comes with the generator will give you the number of hours that the generator should run for before you need to change the oil. If you have bought your generator second hand, you may be able to get the manual online. The first oil change happens after fewer hours than your other oil changes so be mindful of this.
Check the oil in your generator at regular intervals
Once you have completed the first oil check, you will need to check the oil levels and change the oil at regular intervals. The manual will help you determine how often you should check the oil levels, as each generator is slightly different. 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.
Check when you have used your generator heavily
If you experience a power outage, meaning that you need to rely solely on your generator, or if your generator is powering more than it usually would, you will want to check and change the oil. This is because the generator may have used up a large amount and may need to be topped up in order to work correctly. If you do not do this, the next time you need to use the generator may be more difficult as there may be some malfunctions.
Check the oil when the generator is not working correctly
If your generator has broken down, or it is not working correctly, the first thing that you should do is check the oil levels. Most modern generators will shut down completely if the oil level is too low. This is because the generator will be trying to protect the engine, as running it when the oil is low can lead to further damages. If the oil appears to be too low, you can simply top it up, however, if the oil looks dirty or contaminated, it is best to replace it. Most of the time, this will fix generators that are having problems, however, if it is still not working correctly, you may then need to hire a professional to diagnose the problem.
Conclusion
As you can see from above, there are many different times during the lifespan of your generator where you should check the oil levels. If in doubt, refer to the generator manual as this will advise on when to check the oil. The key takeaway is that if the oil looks dirty, it should be replaced and not simply topped up. It is always important to check the oil levels before calling an expensive repair service as often your generator will start working correctly after a simple oil change. If you have any questions, please contact us and our expert staff can advise you.
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