Four reasons to answer why diesel generator set is failure to start

Like the other machines, diesel generator set is not 100% reliable. This article will share some normal reasons why the diesel generator set refuse to start, and how to decrease the risk of failure.

When power is out, the backup power will provide us help at need most, at least we hope so.

Backup diesel generator set runs rarely at normal time, it means that the monthly testing and service schedule is critical to ensuring operators do not encounter unforeseen issues. Let us see why diesel generator set refuse to work and what methods can we use to solve.

Battery Failure

The battery failure is one of normal reasons for diesel generator set. Usually, this reason may due to loose connections or sulfate accumulation. When sulfate molecules in the electrolyte (battery acid) undergo deep discharge, they accumulate on the plates, preventing the battery from supplying sufficient current.

Battery failure may be caused by the charger circuit breaker is open and inoperable, normally due to a fault in the battery charger unit itself or an AC power supply interrupted by a tripped circuit breaker. After performing service or maintenance, it usually occurs this situation when the charger is turned off and the turned on again. Diesel generator systems should always be carefully inspected to ensure that the charger power circuit breaker is in the correct position.

Finally, battery failure may be caused by the connection is dirty or loose, thereby the connection needs to tighten and clean regularly to prevent the potential failures. Dingbo Power advise you to change battery every three years so as to reduce the risk of failure.

Coolant Level Low

If there is no radiator coolant, the engine will overheat quickly, and it will lead to mechanical and engine failure. The coolant level should check regularly and ensure whether there is coolant.

Radiator blockage will also cause the coolant level to be too low and result in a shutdown. When the diesel generator is running under load and the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature, and the thermostat is fully opened, it means that radiator is unable to allow an appropriate amount of traffic through the core. Since the coolant must flow somewhere, it escapes through the overflow tube. When the engine is cooled and the thermostat is closed, coolant level will be low and activates the low coolant shutdown of diesel generator. Due to this situation only occurs when the diesel generator reaches its optimal operating temperature under load, it is recommended to use external payload module which is equipped with sufficient load to test diesel generator so as to reach temperature required to turn on the thermostat.

Usually, the reason why the diesel generator cannot start is to some extent related to the fuel. Poor fuel mixing can occur in a number of ways:

1.       When the fuel is runs out, the engine takes in air but no fuel.

2.       The air intake is blocked means that there is air but no air.

3.       Fuel system may provide too much or too little fuel to the mixture. As a result, normal combustion cannot occur inside the engine.

4.       Finally, there may be impurities in the fuel (i.e. water in the tank), it leads to the fuel not to burn. This usually happens when the fuel is left in the tank for a long time.

As the part of daily maintenance for any backup diesel generator, optimal practice is always to test the fuel to ensure it will not cause failure.

Non-automatic Control

When your control panel displays non- automatic, it is a result caused by human error, this is normally due to the main control switch being in the off/reset position. When the main control switch is in the off/reset position, diesel generator may refuse to start during power outage.

Regularly checking the control panel of diesel generator to guarantee the message of manual is not to displayed. Multiple information displayed in the control panel may be caused the diesel generator cannot start.

For more information on Dingbo Power's generator sets, please contact our sales team at dingbo@dieselgeneratortech.com.