Common Causes of Generator Failure

You’ve finally got your generator installation done, and should a blackout happen, you can now be at peace knowing none of your appliances will stop running.

Not to be a buzzkill, but like any other machine, your standby generator may run into breakdowns, and it would suck if it happens in the middle of a blackout or, worse, a storm.

So, before your generator hangs up on you, here are the most common causes of generator failure and how to deal with the situation.

• Running the generator on the wrong fuel
  One of the critical aspects every generator owner should know is knowing the right fuel for their generator. Old fuel is a problem just as much as using a low-quality diesel.
  Consider turning to an expert if you have no idea the type of fuel to run your generator, and also, don’t run your generator on fuel that has been unused for a long time.

• Failure to carry out generator maintenance
  A generator is a machine. Failure to carry out regular maintenance is the first sign of an anticipated breakdown. So, how about you start caring for your generator today?

• Wet stacking
  Wet stacking happens when your generator engine isn’t completely burning all the fuel in its cylinder. The reason for this might be you’re operating it at a light load over a prolonged time.
  Wet stacking has so many negative impacts:
  • Excess levels of pollution
  • Shortening the lifespan of your engine
  • You will need a lot more maintenance to do when your engine is wet stacking
  • Plus, your engine will be working at a maximum lower power

You will know if your engine is wet stacking when you notice a continuous emission of black smoke from the exhaust pipe or some formation of soot deposit on the exhaust pipe.

The solution to wet stacking is to raise the exhaust temperature to vaporize the unburned fuel build-up. You can do this on your own or call in an expert to carry out the load testing for you.

Contact Wheeler Generators for Your Generator Services.

We provide generator services for commercial and residential properties in Lakeland and its surrounding 50-mile radius. Whether it’s generator repair, maintenance, or installation, we are your go-to company.