Key Reasons To Seek Generator Repair | Florence, SC
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If you’ve already got a generator supplying power to your Florence, SC, home you’ll be well aware of the advantages it poses by not connecting to the city’s power grid. Generators can supply all the power a home needs, but just like any piece of machinery, there is also a risk of requiring repairs. When you own a power generator, and it fails, it can be burdensome to find a generator repair company that will attend to your needs ASAP. It’s even more important to seek repairs if you don’t have a standby generator on your property. Even if you do, getting your primary generator repaired is a critical task that requires a trained, licensed repair specialist.
Generators can also be linked up to the power grid to supply electricity, and this is the case, you need to ensure that your machine is always operating at a constant speed. If it isn’t, a closer inspection is required to identify faults that are risking your property experiencing a cut-off from its power supply.
Generators are intricate pieces of equipment that are made up of many moving parts, and the components may vary between generators. The skills of a licensed technician can help to quickly identify the root cause of symptoms that indicate your generator is operating at less than peak efficiency. Most generators, especially those in larger, commercial properties are alternators. This means they have both rotating and stationary winding mechanisms. The rotating mechanism produces direct current, while the winding process produces an alternating current. The winder generates a lot of friction while in use, and it’s a critical component that often requires repair. Winders can be damaged and worn out completely, resulting in the need for a generator repair service.
In other cases, connections and fittings integrated into the winder may be causing an issue. A regular maintenance schedule by a trained technician can help to prevent parts from being worn out completely. A rotating winder may require more maintenance than a stationary winding mechanism, but that doesn’t mean a stationary winder can be without fault. Stress fractures can still occur, and the belts and connectors can still wear out. Another component that often requires repair is the alternator brushes. Not every generator has them as some carry the current along the shaft of the generator, but the ones that do have them use them to convey the electrical current from the winder.
Even for a standby generator, it’s important to keep up with maintenance tasks and keep an eye out for any symptoms that indicate a repair is necessary. If you own a backup generator, you’re likely already aware of how important it is to have an emergency power plan. Relying on experts to keep on top of generator repairs and maintenance can help both your primary generator and your backup to continue operating at peak efficiency for a long time. No matter which make and model you have, nothing lasts forever, and some of the following key points indicate you either need repair or replacement.
Are you frequently scheduling repairs?
If you’re seeing error codes and need to schedule maintenance calls more often than you used to, it might be time to consider generator replacement over generator repair. Preventative maintenance will help to ensure that your generator is providing consistent, reliable power, but there will often come a time when your unit requires a major generator repair service. If your generator is becoming more unreliable as it gets older and you see error codes quite often, it’s an indication that there’s a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.
Is your generator consuming an excessive amount of fuel?
While every generator has different power consumption requirements, and older models may consume more power than newer ones, if you notice a change in the amount of energy your generator is consuming, it’s an indicator that a generator repair is required. Every make and model essentially has a “sweet spot” for their workload-to-fuel consumption ration. Still, if you notice your generator’s efficiency changing over time, it’s time to book a repair to see if there are components that need replacing to bring its workload-to-fuel consumption ration back to normal levels. A sudden increase is a signal that a part may have broken, especially if you notice your generator is losing speed.
Are you having trouble getting your generator to start?
Particularly in the case of backup generators, these are designed to automatically start when there is an outage that affects your primary system. If you can’t see anything obvious causing the start-up issues, such as an empty fuel tank, displaced fuel, or coolant leaks, a technician will need to take a closer look. Especially if there’s a delay between the backup starting or there are other issues when the backup generator starts, it could be time to find a new generator. At the very least, inspection and possible repair are required.
Do you see inconsistent power levels?
A generator is designed to provide a consistent level of power. If you see a varying level of electrical output from your machine, it’s a sign that your generator requires a repair or replacement. If you’re starting to notice that it frequently struggles to power the same number of appliances as it used to, it’s time to call a technician to take a closer look. Lights flickering and brownouts are surefire signs that either your primary or standby generator need replacement parts.
As your generator gets older, particularly as it reaches the two-decade mark, the deterioration of mechanical parts is inevitable. Many parts can be replaced as part of a generator repair service, including, but not limited to the following:
- Spark plugs
- Ignition points
- Oil and grease distributors
- Water pumps
- Air cleaners
- Fan hubs
- Generator bearings
- Belts
- Hoses and hose clamps
- Engine block heaters
- Thermostats
- Damper motors
- Flexible exhausts
- Condensation traps
- Engine mounting hardware
- Batteries
- AC and DC brushes
- Breakers
- Fuel filters
Mister Sparky’s Generators in Florence, SC, specializes in Briggs & Stratton generator repair, but our technician can inspect and repair a wide variety of generators. Call us on our 24/7 emergency service number to arrange an immediate repair.