Generator Maintenance Tips

Optimise your generator’s performance with these key maintenance tips. For professional support or more complex needs, our engineers are here to help—contact us today.

Table of Contents

Importance of Generator Maintenance

Generator Control and Maintenance Ltd

Regular generator maintenance is essential to ensure reliable power supply and prevent costly downtime. With scheduled generator maintenance services, businesses can avoid unexpected failures, extend equipment lifespan, and enhance performance. Following generator maintenance tips, such as checking oil levels and filters, helps identify minor issues before they become major problems. Timely generator repair and maintenance also reduce operational risks. For businesses seeking generator maintenance UK, professional support by GCM ensures compliance with safety standards and optimises performance.

GSW Generator Maintenance Tips

With any generator you should always follow the recommendations and inspection and maintenance schedules provided in the manufactuer supplied handbook. Check the state of the generator daily and immediately arrange for the replacementof any worn or damaged parts. This blog contains a sample maintenance schedule, inspection and maintenance procedures that could be performed in order to help you take good care of the generator. Other maintenance activities that may be more complex or that require special tools should not be attempted without first consulting a specialist generator maintenance company, such as  ourselves. 

The following are the main safety precautions which the user must comply with. However, since it is impossible to include all the dangers that could arise during maintenance, remember that the decision whether an operation is to be performed is strictly personal. Comply with the following precautions when performing maintenance on the generator:

  • Before operating on the generator, read and understand the contents of this guide.
  • Learn and comply with the safety precautions for use of the generator.
  • Learn and comply with all the operations intended to set the generator in safety.
  • Do not perform maintenance or lubrication with generator ON and with the disconnecting switch closed.
  • Set the generator on a flat surface, disconnect all the utilities and switch the engine off before proceeding with any maintenance.
  • Use adequate tools and any equipment to repair the generator.
  • Remove all the tools used for maintenance and set them in their relative places before restarting the generator.
  • Restore all the protections and safety devices possibly removed and verify they work properly before restarting the generator.
  • Be very careful when handling the fuel so as to reduce the risk of fire or explosion.
  • Only use non flammable solvents and never gasoline to clean the components.
  • Keep cigarettes, sparks and flames away from all the components that are related to fuel.

Safety Precautions for Generator Maintenance

WARNING!

Before performing any maintenance, turn the selector switch with the removable key to the "OFF" position and disconnect the battery. This prevents the generator from being activated unexpectedly.

WARNING!

Prevent risks of an electrical nature by disconnecting the power from the board before performing any maintenance by means of the specific key selector, isolating both the main disconnecting switch (CP.1) and the load disconnecting switch and disconnecting the battery.

Electrical Maintenance Interventions

Danger!

Verify there are no residual voltages before disassembling a device or making contact with parts of it. Pay particular attention when working on circuits connected to capacitive loads (capacitors) or on external connections of which you are not sure of their isolation.
Pay attention when handling electronic circuits. Many components are subject to being damaged or broken by electrostatic charges and therefore, also from contact made with the human body. Touch an isolated metal structure to discharge your potential charge before working on the component.
Do not use compressed air to remove the dust during the cleaning operations of the electrical system. Blowing compressed air inside the panel can cause the components to break and the conductors to loosen from their clamps.

General checks on the electrical system

Verify there is no water or condensation infiltration

  • Make sure there is absolutely no water infiltration or the formation of hazardous condensation.
  • Promptly check the sealing systems (gaskets).
  • Immediately remove water and perform the necessary repairs.

 

Verify the tightness of the cables and components

  • Check the tightness of the power cables and connection bars.
  • Check the tightness of the clamps and wires on the terminal boards by pulling the cables lightly.
  • Check the tightness of all the fixing screws of the components, both in the control board and on the generator.
  • Tighten the screws when necessary.

 

Internal cleaning of the electric boards and control panel.

  • Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from inside the electric board.

Visually check the condition of the equipment and devices

  • Verify the good condition of the equipment and devices inside the board, on the control panel and on the generator.

Check the condition and/or replace the electric wires

  • Check the state of the electric wires and replace them if their ideal flexibility and insulation conditions are altered.
  • Pay particular attention when checking electric wires in adverse environments (e.g. in high or cold temperatures, humidity).
  • When necessary, replace the electric wires while referring to the wiring diagrams.
  • Check the condition of the power cables and connectors. Make sure there is no contact with electric parts.

Checking the generator’s battery

It is recommended to check the battery poles (2 and 3) and the electrolyte level every 15 days. If the poles (2 and 3) show signs of corrosion, remove it using ammonium diluted with water and a hard brush. Once the corrosion has been removed and the terminals reconnected, lubricate the poles with suitable grease. If the generator remains idle for a long time (more than 30 days), disconnect the poles of the battery to keep it from discharging. Always disconnect the negative pole (2) first and then the positive pole (3).

generator maintenance

Checking The Alternator

Checking the connections:
Make sure that the electric connection cables are firmly fixed to the connection terminals; tighten the screws if necessary.
Checking the windings:
The condition of the windings can be determined by measuring the earth insulation resistance.

It is mandatory to refer to the documentation of the manufacturer of the alternator to implement the necessary connections to carry out the above-mentioned measurement and to know the resistance values that are to be checked. Should the resistance value of the windings be incorrect, have it repaired as required by the manufacturer of the device.

Checking the bearings and alternator maintenance:
Refer to the supplied alternator manual before performing any operation on the alternator. If in doubt contact us. 

Mechanical Maintenance Interventions

Checking and topping up the engine oil level

Running the engine without oil or with oil below the minimum level will seriously damage it.

Oil is a harmful substance for the environment. Store it, use it and dispose of it in compliance with the legislation in force in the country where the generator is used.

Check and top up the engine oil level following the specific instructions for the engine model present on the generator. Refer to the documentation of the manufacturer of the engine before performing any operation on it.

Checking the engine oil level:

  • Stop the generator and wait a few minutes for the oil to return from the piping to the engine sump.
  • Refer to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine before performing any operation on it.
  • This task might be complexor, if you require assistance, you can always contact one of our engineers – we’re here to help.

Topping up the engine oil:

  • Use engine oil that the type and viscosity comply with the operating environment temperature and while the engine is running.
  • Follow the instructions provided in the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine to choose the SAE oil viscosity rating according to the external operating temperature.
  • This task might be complexor, if you require assistance, you can always contact one of our engineers – we’re here to help.

Changing the generator oil and filter

Whenever oil is changed, the filter must be replaced as well.

Refer to the supplied manual of the engine to change the engine oil and the oil filter.

  • Changing the engine oil
  • Changing the engine oil filter

This task might be complex, if you require assistance, you can always contact one of our engineers – we’re here to help.

Verifying the coolant level and topping up

ATTENTION!

Do not open the filler cap with the engine hot. When the engine is hot, steam and boiling water could be violently ejected.
Do not start the engine with no coolant.

Verify and top up the coolant referring to the supplied manual of the engine.
Location
In OPEN SET generators, the coolant tank is normally positioned above the radiator and can be accessed directly from the side of the engine, as shown in the photo with number (1) (purely indicative) (the shape and colour of the tank could differ depending on the version of the generator).

generator maintenance

In SOUNDPROOF generators, the coolant tank can be reached by opening the filler cap (2) located on top of the bonnet.
Checking the level of coolant

  • Refer to the supplied use and maintenance
    manual of the engine.

Topping up the coolant

  • Stop the generator and wait for the engine to cool off completely (at least 1 HOUR).
  • Please consult the engine’s user and maintenance manual for specific instructions. If you require additional help, our team is available – contact us for expert advice or assistance.

Changing the coolant

  • Stop the generator and wait for the engine to cool off completely (at least 1 HOUR).
  • Please consult the engine’s user and maintenance manual for specific instructions. If you require additional help, our team is available – contact us for expert advice or assistance.
generator maintenance
Refer to the engine manual to identify the position and shape of the valve to drain the coolant.

Replacing the coolant filter

ATTENTION!

Do not open the filler cap with the engine hot. When the engine is hot, steam and boiling water could be violently ejected.

Replace the coolant filter referring to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine.

Replacing the coolant filter:
Replace the coolant filter as outlined in the engine’s user and maintenance manual. If you’re unsure or need expert assistance, it’s always best to contact GCM for professional support.

Replacing the air filter

The air filter must always be clean and in good condition, otherwise it must be replaced. Eliminate old filters; old filters must not be cleaned or reused. Do not run the engine without the air filter as dust or other substances could be drawn into the engine causing premature wear and possible damage.

Replace the air filter while referring to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine.
Replacement:

  • Stop the generator and wait for the engine to cool off completely before replacing the filter.
  • Refer to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine#
  • Contact GCM for professional help.

Replacing the fuel prefilter and filter

WARNING!

The fuel pre-filter and filter must be replaced when the engine is cool to prevent the risk of fire caused by a fuel leak on red-hot surfaces.
Do not fill the new filter with fuel before mounting it as impurities could enter the system causing damage and malfunctioning.

Replace the filter while referring to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine. Even though for complex tasks or to ensure optimal performance, we recommend reaching out to one of our qualified engineers for professional assistance.
Replacing the fuel pre-filter:

  • Stop the engine.
  • Wait as long as is necessary for the components to cool off (at least 1 HOUR).
  • Refer to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine.
  • Contact a professional engineer.

Replacing the fuel filter

  • Stop the engine.
  • Wait as long as is necessary for the components to cool off (at least 1 HOUR).
  • Refer to the supplied use and maintenance manual of the engine.
  • Contact GCM for help from an engineer

Draining fuel from the tank

WARNING!

The fuel must be drained when the engine is cool, to prevent the risk of fire caused by a fuel leak on redhot surfaces. Wait at east 1 HOUR after the generator has been switched off.
Do not dispose of fuel in the environment. Use a suitable container to collect the fuel drained from the tank.
  • Should the containment tank outside the fuel tank need to be emptied (for generators provided with containment tanks), the drain plug is near the nozzle on the tank itself.
  • Empty the tank using an external pump which draws the fuel by immersing an external pipe in the tank. The pump and external pipe are not supplied with the engine as they are specific equipment.

Maintenance Schedule

The maintenance interventions are divided between those on the electrical system and those on the mechanical parts. All the interventions are summarised in the following tables forming part of the routine maintenance schedule of the generator.

Electrical system maintenance schedule

generator maintenance

Maintenance schedule of the mechanical parts

The maintenance schedule is based on an average use. If the engine is activated in adverse conditions, such as heavy prolonged loads or high temperatures, or used in unusually humid or damp conditions, contact the dealer for recommendations applicable to every single requirement and use.

generator maintenance

Please refer to the engine’s provided use and maintenance manual for detailed instructions. If further expertise is required, don’t hesitate to contact our professional engineers for support.

Incorporating these generator maintenance tips into your routine ensures your equipment remains reliable and efficient. Regular upkeep not only prevents unexpected breakdowns but also extends the lifespan of your generator, saving your business time and costs in the long run. For expert generator maintenance services, or if you need assistance with any issues, emergencies, or scheduling maintenance, contact us today to keep your power systems running smoothly.