Industries far and wide need generators to keep themselves up and running while they’re off the grid or need backup power, but these industrial generators are not indestructible — you might need generator accessories. Like everything else, the age and wear these generators undergo add up. Thankfully, these generators won’t just shut down overnight — there are signs it’s time to repair your industrial generator. When you notice these signs, get repairs sooner rather than later. Waiting too long will hurt your generator and leave you without power.
Trouble Starting
One of the first and most obvious signs that there’s something wrong with the inside of your generator is that it’s having trouble starting. A generator should start immediately when you turn it on, but sometimes, there’s a delay. This delay can seem normal, but it worsens as time passes, and it’s a sign that larger issues are at play.
For example, if your generator has trouble starting up, that could mean something inside isn’t clicking as well as every other part. Each time you turn on your generator, and it doesn’t start right away, different parts inside are clashing. These parts get in each other’s way and will continue to damage each other, eventually damaging your generator.
Using More Fuel
One sign that there’s something you need to repair in your generator is the loss of fuel efficiency. When there are issues inside your generator, it won’t convert fuel to energy as efficiently, meaning you’ll need to use more fuel to achieve the same results. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell what issue is causing your generator to consume more fuel.
It’s important to monitor how much fuel your generator regularly needs, so you can identify when it starts needing more. After that point, you can start examining other internal components. It could be something simple like a lack of lubrication inside or a faulty motor you need to replace.
Reached Maximum Hours
Generators have a maximum number of hours you should operate them, and while this limit is in place, it’s easy to forget about it. However, if you push your generator too far, you’ll soon start noticing different breakdowns with some individual components. If you’ve reached your maximum hours, you can start swapping out some internal components and making repairs, but it may just be time to retire the generator. There’s only so much you can do, but you can also try bringing it for professional repair. Generator experts have the necessary knowledge and experience to bring a generator back to life and make it function like new again.
Increased Carbon Monoxide Emissions
Another sign your generator needs repairs is increased carbon monoxide emissions. Generators naturally emit some level of carbon monoxide. It’s why you need to have a dedicated vent for your generators or keep them outside. But even then, there is a normal amount that it should emit. With a tracker, you can monitor the levels, and if there’s a big increase or dramatic fluctuations, you can know something’s wrong. Carbon monoxide emissions can be dangerous and signal that your generator is struggling to produce the same energy as before, as something internal is the culprit.
Low Power Flow
Another way to tell your industrial generator needs repairs is by monitoring how much power your generator is putting out. An industrial generator working as intended should put out a standard amount of power, plus or minus a little bit here and there. However, if the internal components start prematurely aging or something breaks, that power flow will decrease dramatically. The reason could be simple, like a control panel issue, but it might be an issue with the master breaker or phase selector.
Internal or External Leaks
Leaks are other indicators that something is wrong with your generator. A leaking generator is a hazard, and you should not use it. Instead, you should examine the generator and find where the leak is coming from. It could be something internal like a crack in a hose, or it could be a faulty storage pan. Noticing leaks is often easy, but they can be small and hard to find. If that’s the case, you may notice the smell of gas instead. After noticing this smell, you should identify the leak and make the necessary repairs.
Electrical Wear
Another sign you need to repair your generator is wear on your electrical components. These components are some of the more important parts of your generator, and any standard wear can quickly lead to additional issues. The standard signs of electrical wear include the following:
- Loose connectors
- Cracked, missing, or worn control knobs
- Frayed or bare wires
Not all these electrical issues are the same, but all signal you must cease operation and repair your generator before you start using it again.
Damaged Body
A big visual sign that your generator needs repairs is a damaged body. The body isn’t as important as the internal components of your generator. However, if your generator’s body has some damage, it won’t be able to house and protect the inside as well as it should. Nevertheless, remember that there are still critical parts of the exterior body, such as the wires and fuel lines. If there’s damage to these components, it’s time to start doing some immediate repairs.
Strange Smells and Noises
Strange smells and noises indicate something is wrong with any equipment. If you notice strange smells and noises from your generator, it’s time to start looking inside and making some repairs. It could be something simple like debris or low fuel, but whatever it is, you need to diagnose and fix it sooner rather than later.
Multiple Service Visits
Lastly, a sign that it’s time to perform major repairs on your generator is if you’ve had to do multiple repairs already. Some repairs are normal, but if you perform frequent repairs, something larger could be at play. You may need to do a major repair to keep everything in check, or your generator could simply be at the end of its lifespan.
Looking for and identifying the signs it’s time to repair your generator will help ensure you keep it in the best condition possible. This will help you avoid a disastrous break that would leave you without power. Regular care and maintenance like this are important, but if your generator is too far gone, consider investing in a new generator that will stand the test of time. Here at Turnkey Industries, we have multiple kinds of commercial generators for sale that you can look through to find the one that best accommodates your unique business needs.
