Generator Exercising
As the owner of a diesel-powered generator, your role in exercising it under load is crucial. It also puts you in the driver's seat of its health and efficiency. This practice is about more than just preventing issues like wet stacking or maintaining reliability. It's about you taking control of the efficiency and health of your generator. By running your generator under load, you ensure complete fuel combustion, keeping your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Many generator controllers allow for regular exercising, but it's important to note that they do not connect the load—only the transfer switch can handle that function. To properly exercise your generator under load, it is advisable to use the controller on your transfer switch, which can be configured to switch from mains power to generator power during the exercise. This ensures the generator operates as it would during an actual power outage.
Remember that most transfer switches default to exercising without a load, so it's important to configure them to exercise with a load connected. This gives you a more accurate test of your system's performance under natural conditions, ensuring it is ready when needed.
For critical applications, such as hospitals or data centers, your generator plays a role that can't be overstated. It's not just a piece of equipment; it's a lifeline. It is recommended that you test it under load for 15-30 minutes weekly.
For home emergency standby generators, exercising every two weeks to a month for up to 30 minutes under load is typically sufficient. The transition from mains to generator power is almost instantaneous, preventing any noticeable power interruptions during the exercise.
If you're using your generator for emergency standby, managing battery health is essential. Without a battery maintainer, the generator's controller can slowly discharge the battery, as the controller is always left on. While exercising the generator does help recharge the battery, it doesn't provide a complete or proper charge. Starter batteries are sensitive to deep discharge and rapid recharging cycles, which can lead to premature wear. Therefore, adding one is highly recommended if your generator doesn't already include a battery maintainer.
The generator controllers used in Aurora Generators also have a feature that allows for exercising to recharge the battery when a set low battery level is reached, but this function is typically off by default to prevent unintended starts, such as when the generator is in storage.
Another essential feature of the Aurora Generator controller is the ability to log events, such as running, stopping, and any warnings or errors. Check the controller logs occasionally, especially if you've been away. This log can provide critical information on what happened while you were not monitoring the generator, eliminating any guesswork regarding whether the exercise was performed or if any issues occurred.
By regularly exercising your generator under load, managing battery health, using a battery maintainer, and checking event logs, you can ensure your generator remains in peak condition and ready to perform whenever needed.
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