Preparing a diesel generator for winter: inspection and basic maintenance – recommendations from DALGAKIRAN

DEAR CUSTOMERS!

Due to the difficult situation in the Ukrainian energy system and the upcoming cold weather, take care of your emergency power source (diesel generator or gasoline generator) in advance.

Please perform the following checks and recommendations on your equipment to ensure that it is in good working order and to be prepared for an emergency.

1. To avoid injury, perform all checks with the equipment turned off, switch it to manual mode on the control panel and press the emergency stop button.
2. Inspect the equipment from all sides, it must be easily accessible from each side. The recommended distance to the walls is 0.8-1 m.
3. If the equipment is installed indoors, check the supply and exhaust ventilation grilles or windows for obstructions, and check the exhaust pipe for leaks.
4. Clean the equipment from dirt and dust.
5. Inspect the engine, radiator, and connections for leaks of service fluids. If leaks are detected, repair them.
6. Check the fuel level in the tank – it should always be full. Recommendation: if the fuel has not been used for more than two years, it should be replaced with fresh fuel. Also, the fuel should be winter fuel – up to -40 C. If it is not possible to buy winter fuel, you can add a winter additive to the fuel. IMPORTANT!!! The additive is added at a positive temperature, so we recommend adding the additive to a canister, which should then be placed in a warm place for a while, then mixed well and filled into the tank. Make a reserve of fuel in the canister, as in case of emergency gas stations may not sell it for technical reasons.
7. Check the condition of the battery, charge it if necessary, clean the battery terminals and tighten them. We recommend that you have a spare battery, it should be charged and stored in a warm, dry place at a temperature not lower than +10 C.
8. Check the engine oil level in the engine crankcase; it should be between the min and max marks on the dipstick.
9. Check the coolant level in the radiator. Remove the radiator cover, the coolant should cover the radiator honeycomb by 2-3 cm. If the cooling system of the equipment has an expansion tank, the level should be between the min and max marks. The check can only be performed on equipment that has completely cooled down.
10. Check the coolant heater, turn on the appropriate switch and wait 5 minutes, then touch the heater – it should be warm. We recommend that you turn on the heater when the temperature outside has dropped to +5 C. We recommend that you take this responsibility. Our company has sold more than 15,000 generators, each of which has a heater. On average, the power of one heater is 1.5 kW, and when all heaters are switched on, the power will be 23 MW. Due to the difficult situation in the country’s energy system, please follow the government’s recommendations, responsible actions will save us from rolling blackouts.
11. Switch the control panel to manual mode and start it up. If there are no errors on the control panel and the equipment works, then it is in good condition. Check the equipment in automatic mode – set the control panel to Auto mode and simulate a power outage, turn off the automatic transfer switch. The generator should start up and the room should have light. After that, turn on the automatic transfer switch, after a few minutes the generator should stop, and the room should have light.

Maintenance and repair of diesel generators from Dalgakiran can be ordered by calling +38 (044) 206-10-81.