Your last generator Maintenance Run

[Blaszer]

3930dave

It may have been shorter than that now that you mention it, maybe only a few seconds (3-5). Filters were done around 65-70 hours ago.

 

[3Ts]

The only thing that matters is how many extension cords and powerbars they have available and how long the outage for them to employ them ALL! lol

As long as the thing is still running, all MUST be well.

One of the people in the office had a generator installed for her mom. I asked what size it was, the reply was "16,000 KW" ! :shocked: Those were their words! Are you sure I asked? That's 16 mega watts and is the size of a power plant generator.

Turns out that it was 16 KW not 16,000 KW. Sometimes the public lacks common sense.

 

[3930dave]

3930dave

It may have been shorter than that now that you mention it, maybe only a few seconds (3-5). Filters were done around 65-70 hours ago.

Had a look at the Leesburg weather before I made that comment..... temps more like Spring here :thumbsup:

I find modern roadgoing diesels (that are maintained well) healthy down to -20C at least..... but they all like heat though..... bonus points for fixing the block-heater that fast :drink:

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

One of the people in the office had a generator installed for her mom. I asked what size it was, the reply was "16,000 KW" ! :shocked: Those were their words! Are you sure I asked? That's 16 mega watts and is the size of a power plant generator.

Turns out that it was 16 KW not 16,000 KW. Sometimes the public lacks common sense.

Aren't Watts just bigger in Texas ?



ur had somebody at work (Cali extended power outages) that was pissed off that her car couldn't power her hair-dryer with the factory in-dash inverter.

Science Education..... We Don't need Know Science Education !!!

Rgds, D.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The various generator stories told, is why I opt to not have my generators run automatically, even though they could. I like to start them, listen to them and make sure there isn't a mouse nest in there or something. If they don't start, I was there and have a much better idea what happened, rather than just a diagnostic light or message. Trouble always comes out of nowhere it seems.

It's also why I like to run my whole house generator with my tractor.

It get used for other things all year long, often enough, that I always know it's running right and ready to go!

SR

 

[PILOON]

Yeah our basement (dig in 1874) gets water in it. So having the sump on the generator panel was a must.

Thinking about a second pump. I do have a portable one but I don稚 think it pumps enough volume to work as the primary. In a situation where the primary pump could not keep up it is a good extra pump.

I built this house 24 years ago, provided for a sump pump but never installed one.
Last spring for the first time the sump filled and started to overflow hence a panic sump pump installation.
While under control My big fear is power outages if I'm away.

I have a 12 volt system in the testing stages that uses an RV 12 volt pump and so far seems adequate to handle the infiltration.
Fortunately the GPM seepage is rather low.

I suspect that probably an earthquake shook a vein open and that resulted in my infiltration.
Being in an area where the bedrock is near to the surface suggests that as well as the lake we live on is all spring fed.

 

[90cummins]

It's also why I like to run my whole house generator with my tractor.

It get used for other things all year long, often enough, that I always know it's running right and ready to go!

SR

I agree 100%
How long it cranks, how long it takes to run smoothly and engage are all signs as to the health of the system.
I worked in transmission engineering developing & testing the transmission that is currently used in the US ARMIES BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLE.
The 600hp dyno test cells were incredibly noisy requiring ear protection.
We spend thousands of hours running at various loads during which we became very in tune with the sounds, vibrations and at times those things that were different but just couldn稚 put a finger on which slowly progressed to where you could warrant shutting down and tearing down to the transmission to evaluate.
Itç—´ easier to diagnose root cause of an impending failure and certainly cheaper if you catch it before itç—´ a smoking failure.

90cummins

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Another benefit of being there to see, hear and smell it running every month is to recognize changes.

Most of what I deal with is large and complex and the people tasked with testing are not experts and can’t be expected to have a deep understanding of it. What they usually can do reliably is recognize something that is different. New and different sounds, different smells, marks or dirt buildup around bolts or belts, leaks and how it starts and runs.

They don’t need to understand what is wrong and how to fix it, just identify it’s changed and let someone know who can. It works.

 

[ultrarunner]

More and more critical systems such Emergency or Standby Generators require third party testing and inspection annually... especially anything connected with CMS (Medicare, Medicaid and Health Insurance Exchanges)

There was a time when these type of things were done in house... and those doing the maintenance and testing were experts on their equipment and application for that site as opposed to an outside manufacturer vendor that may be clueless on power systems in use before they were born... all part of planned obsolecence and contributes to the high cost of business.

Our UL fire alarm system is inspected and tested by the manufacturer on site every 6 months and also continuously monitors things like batteries...

Typically any batteries at the end of life are replaced as needed or every 36 months.. whichever comes first...

Two weeks ago one 7 amp 12 volt alarm battery tested low... the person that performs the annual no longer carry batteries and provided a $425 battery replacement work order to replace one 13 dollar battery.

I replaced it within 2 hours and documented it in the log with receipt and picture... Note the battery was still ok but looking ahead 6 months probably not...

The CMS inspector dinged me for failing to have C10 contractor documentation stating my new battery was inspected meeting the standard...

$375 is the minimum charge to have the C10 contractor generate the documentation... since I provided the battery...

Nickel and Dime carve outs is just the way it is done now...

 

[grsthegreat]

More and more critical systems such Emergency or Standby Generators require third party testing and inspection annually... especially anything connected with CMS (Medicare, Medicaid and Health Insurance Exchanges)

There was a time when these type of things were done in house... and those doing the maintenance and testing were experts on their equipment and application for that site as opposed to an outside manufacturer vendor that may be clueless on power systems in use before they were born... all part of planned obsolecence and contributes to the high cost of business.

Our UL fire alarm system is inspected and tested by the manufacturer on site every 6 months and also continuously monitors things like batteries...

Typically any batteries at the end of life are replaced as needed or every 36 months.. whichever comes first...

Two weeks ago one 7 amp 12 volt alarm battery tested low... the person that performs the annual no longer carry batteries and provided a $425 battery replacement work order to replace one 13 dollar battery.

I replaced it within 2 hours and documented it in the log with receipt and picture... Note the battery was still ok but looking ahead 6 months probably not...

The CMS inspector dinged me for failing to have C10 contractor documentation stating my new battery was inspected meeting the standard...

$375 is the minimum charge to have the C10 contractor generate the documentation... since I provided the battery...

Nickel and Dime carve outs is just the way it is done now...

ya gotta love it. I only charge a service trip charge plus cost + 15% on part. then again, i choose to stay away from critical care generators any more. The last one i installed in a hospital was nearly 15 years ago.