Generator Exercise

How To Exercise Your Generator

Exercising a diesel-powered generator under load is vital for maintaining its health and efficiency. It ensures complete fuel combustion and prepares the generator for actual power outages. Regular testing under load for critical applications is crucial. Additionally, managing battery health and reviewing event logs can help keep the generator in optimal condition.

Diesel Fuel Gelling - How to prevent cold weather issues with your diesel fuel.

Diesel Fuel Gelling – Prevent Cold Weather Diesel Fuel Issues

Gelling starts to occur at a specific temperature known as the cloud point. It is coined after the white haze or “cloud” that appears as paraffin wax crystallizes. For example, #2 diesel fuel has a cloud point of 14 degrees Fahrenheit or -10 degrees Celsius.

Diesel Fuel in cold weather

Diesel Fuel Cold Weather Issues: Understanding Gelling and Crystallization

Before diesel fuel enters an engine, it passes through a filter to strain out impurities. This filter is an incredibly important part of your engine, but it’s also a prime target for cold weather to wreak havoc. A naturally occurring substance in #2 diesel fuel is called paraffin wax. Under normal conditions, this wax remains in liquid form, so it’s harmless to your equipment. The problem occurs when cold temperatures cause paraffin wax to solidify and bind together into larger crystals that can’t flow through the filter. So when diesel users talk about gelling, they are referring to this issue.

Diesel Generator Battery

Keep your battery charged!

Keep your cattery charged! As a responsible generator owner, one of the most crucial aspects of maintenance you must keep in mind is properly charging your generator battery. The battery is the heart of your generator, and its optimal functioning is crucial for the effective operation of your generator. In this blog post, we’ll delve […]

Generator Oil Filters

Unmasking the Hidden Dangers of Generic Filters

We decided to examine various diesel engine oil and fuel filters by cutting them open. Our findings were quite astonishing.

In the realm of mechanical precision and engine maintenance, the saying “All filters are not the same” rings true with remarkable clarity. This became evident when we recently acquired a batch of supposedly compatible filters intended as replacements for the renowned Perkins filters. However, upon subjecting these filters to closer scrutiny by dissecting them, it became glaringly apparent that they bore little resemblance to their counterparts. The stark differences in construction, materials, and engineering were undeniable.

Image showing cylinder glazing and carbon buildup on a diesel engine.

Understanding and Preventing Glazing and Carbon Buildup in Diesel Engines

Understanding and Preventing Glazing and Carbon Buildup in Diesel Engines

As a diesel mechanic, I often see issues with engines that are a direct result of misapplication or misuse. Two common problems that arise are internal glazing and carbon buildup. These issues are particularly prevalent in generator sets and are primarily caused by failing to follow proper application and operating guidelines.