8 Natural Gas Generator Tips
8 Care Tips for Your Natural Gas Generator
Your natural gas generator plays a crucial role in supporting your business. It ensures you have access to a reliable power supply should you experience a significant interruption from the main electrical grid. The unit can keep your operations running until power is restored to your commercial or industrial facility. With a well-functioning natural gas generator, you can minimize any impact on production and avoid the associated financial losses of an unexpected shutdown.
Natural gas generators can manage the power loads of your most critical business systems, including production equipment, communication systems, security setups, lighting, machine tools, and more. However, it’s essential to properly care for your power system to maintain reliability. The last thing you’ll want to discover is that your generator isn’t working as it should be during an outage.
The following care tips can help keep your natural gas unit in optimal condition and reduce your risk of sudden breakdowns.
1. Get Regular Oil and Filter Changes
Scheduling routine oil and filter changes is perhaps the best way to minimize wear and tear on your natural gas generator.
Fresh oil is necessary to keep the moving parts of the generator engine lubricated. If the oil isn’t changed regularly, it becomes contaminated with dust, dirt, and metal particles, leading to increased friction and premature wear on engine parts and components. Ensure oil changes are conducted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep your unit in prime working condition.
It’s also essential to have generator filters changed regularly. Filters help block dirt, dust, and debris that can restrict airflow and negatively impact engine health. To optimize their effectiveness, you should change the filters at every maintenance check and clean them out between service visits.
2. Avoid Overloading the Unit
Your natural gas generator is designed and rated for a specific power capacity, which is the maximum load it can handle efficiently. If you exceed this capacity, the unit will struggle to meet your power needs. Continually using an undersized generator can result in excessive wear and tear, overheating, and even irreversible engine failure.
If you frequently overload your generator, it is no longer sufficient for your power requirements. You may have purchased a smaller unit in the early years of your business, but your power demands have increased significantly as your company has grown. Upgrading to a new generator to match your energy needs will ultimately save you money in repair costs and reduce your risk of breakdowns.
3. Maintain the Generator Battery
A properly working battery is critical for preventing unexpected generator failures. Batteries should be regularly inspected for rust, corrosion, and loose connections. These can impede the electrical flow, resulting in low voltage and inconsistent power supply. Keeping the battery clean and free of rust can help extend its lifespan and ensure reliable performance for your natural gas generator. However, keep in mind that generator batteries are only designed to last 2-3 years and will require replacement sooner than other generator parts.
4. Check for Fluid Leaks
When inspecting your unit, keep an eye out for fluid leaks. Leaks can put unnecessary strain on the engine, forcing it to work harder to maintain performance. This will eventually lead to increased fuel consumption, efficiency loss, and excessive wear and tear on parts and components. If you notice fluid pooling under or next to your unit, don’t hesitate to call our team at Valley Power Systems. Identifying the exact source of a leak can be challenging, but our professionals have the proper leak detection equipment, tools, and training to locate leaks and repair the issue promptly so that you can stay focused on your business.
5. Perform Periodic Run Tests
It’s also important to conduct periodic run tests of your natural gas generator to identify any performance needs. Your generator should be started up for at least 30 minutes each month. This will give the battery time to charge and allow you ample time to check for any obvious issues, such as leaks or power fluctuations. If you notice any performance problems, contact our team at Valley Power Systems to schedule an inspection. We’ll determine the source of the issue and provide a cost-effective repair solution.
6. Keep the Surrounding Area Clean
A clean generator area is necessary to maximize airflow. You should inspect the surrounding area each week and clear leaves, trash, dirt, dust, and any other debris that may have accumulated nearby. Your natural gas generator will naturally stir these up during its operation, which can clog your filters and impact airflow, leading to reduced efficiency, excessive wear and tear, and increased fuel consumption. These contribute to an overall shorter generator lifespan.
7. Tighten Generator Connections
Your natural gas power system has multiple connections that can loosen over time with regular use. Loose connections can negatively affect generator performance, leading to reduced efficiency, power fluctuations, and increased wear on your equipment. If you’re uncomfortable tightening these connections, you can count on our team to handle the job safely.
8. Schedule Routine Professional Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is the best investment you can make for your natural gas generator. It will reduce the risk of your unit experiencing major performance issues and unexpected shutdowns. At Valley Power Systems, we take a holistic approach to generator maintenance. Our highly skilled technicians address immediate needs while also looking for potential issues that could cause a problem later. We recommend handling generator repairs as soon as possible to minimize wear and tear, increase operational efficiency, and extend engine life.
How often a generator should be maintained depends on your specific unit, its age, the frequency of use, how well it has been cared for over the years, and the environmental conditions. Generators that are frequently used for heavy loads in harsh conditions (such as extreme heat or cold) typically require maintenance more frequently.
The generator manufacturer may recommend oil changes every 50-100 service hours. For a more accurate recommendation, give us a call at Valley Power Systems. Our team can perform a complete assessment and let you know what maintenance interval would keep your system in optimal condition.
Valley Power Systems — Serving California Since 1949
Caring for your natural gas generator can maximize system efficiency, extend its service life, and reduce operational downtime, ultimately protecting your bottom line. At Valley Power Systems, we want to ensure your California business stays up and running year-round. We offer a wide range of power solutions to fit your individual needs.
Our highly experienced and certified technicians can address all your natural gas generator repair and maintenance needs, from oil changes and leak repairs to complete engine overhauls. We also offer customized maintenance contracts to keep your unit in top condition. When it’s time to replace your unit, you can rely on Valley Power Systems for the latest models from trusted manufacturers. We are proud to be an authorized distributor for Atlas Copco, Blue Star Power Systems, and Waukesha.
Schedule your natural gas generator repair or maintenance service with Valley Power Systems today!