Diesel powered generators are known for his or her fuel efficiency, reliability and long life-span. However, that doesn't mean they are not having their fair proportion of problems. One such problem is the potential for overheating. Overheating may be caused by a insufficient level of coolant, improper use or an issue with the generator.
If the generator starts overheating, the alternator will overheat, and it'll go through the windings affecting their insulating properties. The winding insulation will begin to melt, then they'll either melt or ignite. When the slip rings and brushes are exposed to such a warm temperature, they'll unsolder themselves. Other problems you would possibly encounter include:
• Warping of the rotor.
• Bearings start to melt.
• If the plate overheats it could crush the top gasket leading to restricted coolant flow to the cylinder.
• Overheating can cause failure to the radiator core.
• The exhaust valves will expand damaging the valve guide.
Overheating of the generator can cause damage to different parts of the generator which might have to be repaired or replaced. It's also worth noting that repair costs can sometimes exceed the price of buying a brand new generator. If the generator shuts down, you'll need to handle the loss of power which could mean losses related to downtime. Overheating also can shorten the lifespan of your generator significantly, meaning you've got to interchange it previous you had intended.
Now that you just know the way much damage overheating can cause on a generator, you would possibly want to grasp the causes of an overheating generator. They include:
• Low coolant levels which could imply the coolant is leaking internally or externally. Leaking coolant can be a result of loose clamps or leaking gasket among other reasons.
• Poor circulation of the coolant which may be caused by a collapsed soft hose resulting in a restriction.
• The diesel generator has accumulated dirt on its exterior. Heavy accumulation of grease and dirt on the surface of the generator hinders normal temperature reduction.
• Over fueling the generator.
• A broken cooling fan or improper belt tension.
• Clogged diesel injectors. If the fuel injector is clogged, the system will must overwork to make amends for the clogged injector which results in overheating.
• Clogged air filters can be a reason for the generator to overheat and cut out.
• Damaged exhaust that restricts exhausting.
• Generator overload.
• Low oil levels.
It is important to say that a faulty gauge can result in overheating because if the generator is overheating, but the gauge is faulty, it'll not trigger the cooling system when the generator needs it. A faulty gauge could also indicate that the generator is overheating when it's actually within its normal operating temperature. When it's time to troubleshoot, make sure you counter check the gauge.
Environmental factors may also affect the functioning of a generator. In high altitude areas, atmospheric pressure drops hence reducing air density. With low air density, chilling isn't efficient. At a high altitude, temperature reduction happens at a far slower rate which ends within the generator overheating.
In areas where there are high temperatures, there's lower air density. When there's inadequate air supply there'll be less oxygen for combustion, the engine will push itself to deliver the identical power, and it would find itself overheating. High humidity as well puts stress on the generator’s cooling system. When temperatures outside are hot, or there's high humidity, there's no significant difference between the coolant and therefore the outside making it difficult to dissipate heat.
For a generator to chill off effectively, it requires air flow. Therefore, if the generator is within the basement, it's essential to make sure that the basement is well ventilated with proper air flow. If the air is flowing, the new air round the generator will empty being replaced by cooler air, enabling the generator to chill. It's also important to test if there are other equipment within the same room because the generator would be emitting heat in addition. If this is often the case the temperature round the generator could be very high hindering its cooling system. The exhaust could even be blocked meaning that the generator isn't ready to effectively cool itself.
Even though a generator is mechanical and is absolutely to fail every once in an exceedingly while, there are some things you can try to prevent the ICE generator from overheating. The foremost important thing you'll do to forestall your generator from overheating is have it serviced regularly by knowledgeable and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Appropriate servicing not only keeps your generator running smoothly but it extends its lifespan as well. Other than regular servicing, here are other stuff you should do to stop your generator from overheating.
• Keep both the coolant and oil levels at their accurate levels.
• Monitor the exhauster to form sure that it's not blocked.
• Place the generator in a very protected but well-ventilated area.
• Don't place the generator near other equipment that emits heat.
• Run your generator regularly to make sure it's in good working condition.
• Don't overload the generator. If you wish more power, replace your current generator with a more powerful one.
• Make sure you use quality fuel and coolant.
There are a variety of things that may fail with a diesel-powered generator, but the foremost common one is overheating. It's essential that you just implement the generator protection points listed above to grant your generator an extended lifespan.
