WorldWide Drilling Resource

Taking Care of Your Generator is Worth the Extra Time Adapted from Information by Doosan Portable Power Not only does a well-maintained generator have a better chance at lasting a long time, it also has greater potential for providing the performance and productivity necessary for getting a job done on time and on budget. Follow these five tips for generator maintenance: Stick to a maintenance schedule - The best way to keep your gen- erator maintained is to follow the manufacturer guidelines for scheduled maintenance. Recommended generator maintenance intervals typically start at 500 hours of use and focus on filters and fluids, including the engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, and air filter. These intervals are generally repeated every 500-1000 hours. Daily, weekly, and monthly generator maintenance should include checkingmachine components suchas fluids, wiring, andhose connections, as well as looking for signs of trouble such as leaks, blocked air inlets, and parts susceptible to wear. A simple two-minute inspection could save one to two hours of downtime to replace a minor part. For example, a frayed or cracked fan drive belt is an opportunity for preventive maintenance instead of waiting for it to fail and cause a machine shutdown. Adjust to your environment - Maintenance intervals should be scheduled more frequently for generators operating in harsh environ- ments or challenging weather conditions. Dusty environments are partic- ularly demanding on generators. Radiator fins should be checked for dust buildup and cleaned with a pressure washer to ensure optimal airflow through the machine, reducing the risk of overheating. Ambient temperature also plays a role in proper generatormaintenance. When a generator is operating in colder temperatures, a lightweight synthetic oil may be necessary to ensure adequate oil flow to vital engine components. A thicker oil grade may be recommended to pro- vide better engine protection in hot climates. Understand new Tier 4 maintenance requirements - Aftertreat- ment systems are now part of the generator maintenance checklist, so it’s important to be familiar with those elements and the prescribed service intervals. This includes replacing the crankcase ventilation (CCV) filter at the 2000-hour interval. Tier 4-compliant engines utilizing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) should also replace the DEF filter at that mark. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system should be inspected and maintained as recommended by the manufacturer. Maintenance beyond the engine - Periodic inspection of the elec- trical system can go a long way toward preventing generator damage and downtime. Inspecting all wiring can often head off a major electrical problem with a simple fix such as tightening a loose wire, insulating a rubbing hazard, or bending a wire away from a sharp edge. The trailer of a mobile generator is another area for maintenance. Check the tire pressure and rotate tires regularly, maintain the braking system, and ensure the trailer lighting is functioning properly. The trailer- to-vehicle lighting connector, tow hitch, and jack stand are often subjected to excessive wear and tear on jobsites and in transport, so they should be replaced as needed to avoid a safety hazard. Usemanufacturer filters and fluids - One of the best ways to ensure performance is to use genuine manufacturer aftermarket parts which have been tested during the development of the machine. Using off-brand filters and fluids introduces unknown variableswhich could not only affect machine performance, it could also void equipment warranty packages. WWDR photo. . '* # $* )*' ' . )% ! $ "% ) %$ $ " $) )- . %$ () &' $ . , , *()%# ' (*&&%') . ) ) % ) ') # $* )*' $ " )- . * #%' (! -%*' $ ' () ()' *)%' %*) !) *#&( %' "" *( ) . *( ( !) &*#&( %# +++ ( !) &*#&( *( 33 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JANUARY 2017