Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

While many people (myself included) have an interest in transfer switches and their use with generators, if this thread starts to degenerate the way others have, I will:

1) ask the offenders to to Take it Outside/Offline, or over into a thread of their own construction.

2) involve Mods if #1 doesn't work.

Recognizing that as the OP, I may be somewhat biased...... a lot of good information has been exchanged in this thread, in a constructive manner, which I'd like to see continue.

While I do find this thread helpful personally for equipment scheduling, I don't have a problem asking for this thread to be Locked if we devolve into trolling/flamewar nonsense..... I'd sooner have it stand as-is than watch that.

Now, hopefully, Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming .....

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

We were expecting freezing rain which usually means outages. Ran the generator for an hour, and as a friend was using the clothes dryer, this made an excellent load. The power never as much as flickered. I think the utility is getting back to their forestry work.

 

[3930dave]

We were expecting freezing rain which usually means outages. Ran the generator for an hour, and as a friend was using the clothes dryer, this made an excellent load. The power never as much as flickered. I think the utility is getting back to their forestry work.

While someone on here managed to precipitate a grid-outage () by changing the oil on their generator, most of the time...... If your generator runs fine, battery is charged, and you have plenty of stabilized fuel on-hand, the grid never goes down.

That's the flip-side of 'ol Murphy's Law that I like to be on.....

Given most of Canada's non-urban terrain, line maintenance is a huge ongoing task/cost.... it just takes one tree to take down a local line.

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I guess my main point, although I failed to explain it specifically, and as it relates to the thread, is the importance (so I have been told) of testing a genset under load. Apart from the possible wet stacking issues, if you have a diesel, testing the engine is only half of the machine. The rotor and stator should be put under load to keep moisture at bay. I guess certain parts of the country, need not concern themselves with this (like Arizona) , but most should keep this in mind.

 

[ultrarunner]

Once a year I throw the main breaker for each Hospital Wing and do a real honest test.

Tests all emergency and back up systems and gives the gen set a real workout.

We are limited to a total of 20 hours testing and maintenance annually and it is strictly controlled and verified.

I generally do it New Years... 150kW prime stand-by rated Onan with Turbo Cummins...

 

[Industrial Toys]

I hope no one has brain surgery scheduled in the new year.

A commercial pilot friend once told me something interesting. Not sure if it's true, but Toronto Airport (Pearson) has their own generating plant, and uses the Utility as the back-up.

 

[3930dave]

I guess my main point, although I failed to explain it specifically, and as it relates to the thread, is the importance (so I have been told) of testing a genset under load. Apart from the possible wet stacking issues, if you have a diesel, testing the engine is only half of the machine. The rotor and stator should be put under load to keep moisture at bay. I guess certain parts of the country, need not concern themselves with this (like Arizona) , but most should keep this in mind.

Agreed.

As an extreme example, if a utility-sized generator room floods, drying out the generators is a really big deal, requiring careful testing before power up. I've messed with enough systems, including high voltage, to know that you don't need flood conditions to have a moisture issue.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Once a year I throw the main breaker for each Hospital Wing and do a real honest test.

Tests all emergency and back up systems and gives the gen set a real workout.

We are limited to a total of 20 hours testing and maintenance annually and it is strictly controlled and verified.

I generally do it New Years... 150kW prime stand-by rated Onan with Turbo Cummins...

Job well done.... given that you are operating with one hand tied behind your back.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I hope no one has brain surgery scheduled in the new year.

A commercial pilot friend once told me something interesting. Not sure if it's true, but Toronto Airport (Pearson) has their own generating plant, and uses the Utility as the back-up.

IDK, but I could see that being the case...... if you are going to build a co-gen or tri-gen plant for something of that scale, it's likely cheaper to generate your own power than to pay grid rates - at least here, Natgas is plentiful, reliable, and reasonable cost.

Whole-house UPS systems have come up recently...... with a Natgas generator for recharging, you could duplicate what Pearson may have done, or just skip the grid altogether.....

Rgds, D.

 

[DarkBlack]

While many people (myself included) have an interest in transfer switches and their use with generators, if this thread starts to degenerate the way others have, I will:

1) ask the offenders to to Take it Outside/Offline, or over into a thread of their own construction.

2) involve Mods if #1 doesn't work.

Recognizing that as the OP, I may be somewhat biased...... a lot of good information has been exchanged in this thread, in a constructive manner, which I'd like to see continue.

While I do find this thread helpful personally for equipment scheduling, I don't have a problem asking for this thread to be Locked if we devolve into trolling/flamewar nonsense..... I'd sooner have it stand as-is than watch that.

Now, hopefully, Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming .....

Rgds, D.

Your thread is about "generator maintenance", of which I do, with a backup power source with a 100% perfect track running record. Transfer switches are Covered on many other threads.
If you look at my past years posts, you will see I have some tips for maintenance irregardless of, if you run a transfer switch, or not.