Generator service from CK Power
Many of our customers have generators because going without power simply isn’t an option. It’s so crucial to hospitals and other care facilities, data centers and small businesses, that they simply can’t afford to rely on one solution working flawlessly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
That’s why we’re more than just a proud distributor of Kohler Generators. We’re also proud providers of the routine generator service that’s guaranteed to keep your standby power system online when you need it most. Our experienced service department maintains more than 4000 standby generators from any manufacturer.
What makes regular generator services so important?
The worst time to find out there’s a problem with your generator is when you need it. That’s why it’s so important to have a regular maintenance regimen in place during blue skies to ensure your generator is ready to kick on during gray ones.
But a good generator service program doesn’t mean having just anyone with a little mechanical know-how stopping by a couple of times per year. Good generator service programs are thought-out, conducted by professionals and based on a good understanding of which components need inspection and added attention.
Here’s what you should look for from your generator service program:
Planned maintenance
Maybe it goes without saying that having a plan is key to effective generator service, but some consider built in generator exercisers (which kick a generator on at set intervals, once a week, say) are the only necessary component of keeping a generator running smoothly. As we’ll see below, there’s much more to it.
Experienced professionals
This element of a generator service regimen cannot be stressed enough. Experienced service technicians should be trained on a wide range of generator systems and follow maintenance procedures laid down by regulatory agencies such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
Having trained and certified inspectors providing your generator service will help to prevent commonly overlooked issues that could potentially result in equipment failure.
Frequent maintenance
Two factors especially govern the necessary frequency of generator service: application and frequency.
- Application – Critical applications demand more stringent planned maintenance programs. Standards such as NFPA 110 address maintenance requirements for such applications. It should be determined while planning a maintenance program whether or not your emergency and standby power generation equipment is governed by this standard.
- Environment – Ambient environmental conditions can also have a bearing on the performance of a system. Altitude, humidity, atmospheric salinity, dusk and extreme temperatures are all factors that can affect a generator and perhaps make more frequent generator service necessary.
System component checks
Experienced generator service providers can save time and cost by having replacement components, oil and fuel with them when out on inspection. Key systems to monitor to ensure the reliability of a generator set include; radiator airflow; engine cooling and filtration systems; fuel storage condition and fittings; and controls and DC / AC switching.
Each of these systems contains a number of parts and particular functions that should be checked, which again stresses the need for experienced professionals to be conducting planned maintenance.
For more on generator service in our active service territories: MO, KS, IL, OK please feel free to contact our service department here.
