When the power goes out, backup generators will be available when we need them most, or at least that’s what we hope. Like any machine, a generator can’t be 100% reliable. Yatong Xiaobian, a generator rental manufacturer in Dongguan, will lead you to discuss some common reasons why diesel generators can’t start, and most importantly, how to reduce the risk of failure.
Backup generators usually don’t run very often, which means that a monthly test and service schedule is essential to ensure that problems will occur with the knowledge of the operator. Let’s look at the most common reasons generators fail to start, and what you can do to prevent these situations from happening in the future.
1. The battery is faulty
One of the most common reasons generators fail to start is battery failure. This can often be caused by loose connections or sulfation (accumulation of lead sulfate crystals on the lead acid battery plate). When the sulfate molecules in the electrolyte (battery acid) discharge too deep, it causes scaling on the battery plate, which prevents the battery from providing enough current.
Battery failure can also be caused by the charger breaker being disconnected and inoperable, usually due to a fault in the battery charger device itself or the AC power supply being disconnected by a tripping circuit breaker. The charger has been turned off and not turned on again, which often happens after repairs or maintenance have been made. After repair or maintenance, always check the generator system again to ensure that the charger power breaker is in the correct position.
Finally, battery failure can be due to dirty or loose connections. Connections need to be cleaned and tightened regularly to prevent potential failures.
In the electric power company, Top, Bo-Power recommends that you replace the battery every three years to reduce the risk of failure.
2. The coolant level is low
Without radiator coolant, the engine can quickly overheat, leading to mechanical failure and engine failure. The coolant level should be checked periodically and visually check for coolant puddles. The color of the coolant varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but it usually looks red.
Internally blocked radiator cores can also cause coolant levels to get too low and shut down. When the generator is operating under load, the thermostat is fully open when the engine reaches its optimum operating temperature, which means that the radiator cannot allow the right amount of flow through. As a result, the coolant can escape through the overflow pipe. When the engine cools down and the thermostat shuts down, the liquid level drops and the low coolant level of the starter generator stops. Because this only happens when the generator is operating at optimal temperature under load, it is recommended that you test the generator with an external load group that is loaded enough to reach the temperature value required to turn the thermostat on.
3. Poor fuel mixing
Usually, the reason a generator won’t start has to do with fuel. Poor fuel mixing can occur in a number of ways:
When you run out of fuel, the engine receives air, but no fuel.
The air intake is blocked, which means fuel but no air.
The fuel system may supply too much or too little fuel to the mixture. Therefore, there is no normal combustion in the engine.
Finally, there may be impurities in the fuel (i.e. water in the fuel tank) that prevent the fuel from burning. This often occurs when fuel is stored in the tank for a long time.
As part of the routine service of any backup generator, the best practice is always to test the fuel to ensure it will not cause future failures, Yatong Electromechanical, a generator rental manufacturer in Dongguan, warns.
4. The control is not in automatic mode
When YOUR CONTROL PANEL DISPLAYS THE message “NOT IN AUTOMATIC MODE” THIS IS THE RESULT of human error, usually due to the main control switch being in the OFF/RESET position. When the generator is in this position, it may not start in the event of a power failure.
Check the generator’s control panel periodically to ensure that the “not in automatic mode” message is not displayed. Many of the other faults shown on the control panel can cause the generator to fail to start.
Jiangsu Meiao Power Technology Co., Ltd. is an important manufacturer of diesel generators. The company mainly manufactures and sells diesel generator sets with power of 3-3000kW, mobile power station of 24-600kW, Marine emergency diesel generator set of 24-800kW, gas generator set, heavy oil generator set and all kinds of imported series, special series (trailer, static speaker, mobile lighthouse, container, etc.) diesel generator At the same time, we are engaged in generator set maintenance and after-sale service of generator set accessories.
