Hurricane tips
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is from: 1st June to 1st
December and impacts some part of the Caribbean every year. Being prepared
is imperative. At Parts & Power Ltd we've been responding to Hurricane disasters
since 1973. We stock a variety of power solutions
to assist in the recovery after the Storm.
Even though we are ready to serve you in your
time of need, before, during and after a hurricane, we thought it would
be effective if we post some of our well selected hurricane tips here on
our website to get you prepared. Please see our list below.
The time you will need your generator most
is in the event of a hurricane.
The following are some tips for purchasing and maintaining generators:
Diesel is the preferable fuel for a standby or prime power generator
for the following reasons:
- Fuel consumption is lower with a diesel generator than with petrol
or gas.
- You have greater torque with a diesel generator, which means that
it will start larger loads than the equivalent petrol or gas.
- Diesel is safer than petrol or gas.
- Diesel is the first fuel that it brought into a disaster area. LPG
is the last.
- Diesel is less volatile than petrol and so stores better.
If you do own a petrol or gasoline generator,
it is important to drain the fuel out of the fuel system each time you use
it. Failing to do that may cause the fuel to evaporate and leave a varnish
gum behind, restricting the fuel system when you may need it most.
For all kind of generators, we recommend the following at the beginning
of hurricane season:
- Do a major service and inspection. This includes:
- Oil and filter change.
- Flush the cooling system with a good quality flush and change
the coolant filter, if supplied. Refill with a maximum of 50% ethylene
glycol and distilled water. If distilled water is unavailable, use
a good quality 50% or 33% pre-mixed coolant.
- Perform a tune-up. On diesel generators this includes adjusting
the valves and testing the injectors.
- Change all fuel filters.
- Drain water from bottom of fuel tank.
- Fill fuel tank with clean diesel and keep it topped off. We
recommend filtering the fuel that is put into the tank to remove
sludge or water that may have been supplied by the vendor. Keeping
the tank full prevents condensation from forming and water accumulating
in the tank.
- Inspect battery electrolyte and fill as necessary. Clean battery
terminals of any corrosion. Install a constant volt battery charger
that will not overcharge the battery, if none is present. Load test
the battery to check its health.
- Inspect engine mounts.
- Inspect belts for wear or signs of aging and cracking.
- Check all hoses by squeezing them while the engine is not running.
They should be very flexible and resilient. If they are hard or
show signs of cracking, replace them immediately.
- Test run your generator under load. If an Automatic Transfer
Switch is fitted, exercise it weekly under load. Inspect the gauges
and record values for future comparison. Look for signs of smoking.
Inspect the unit while running for fuel or oil leaks.
- Inspect your engine mounts to make sure they still supply movement
and haven’t collapsed.
- Inspect all the wiring to make sure there is no chafing present,
or that any wires have been damaged by rodents.
- Inspect your generator house or enclosure for corrosion or leaks.
Many enclosures are made of steel and are subject to corrosion.
- Never connect your generator directly to your house or load. Always
use a Transfer Switch. Utility could come on unexpectedly which may
severely damage your generator, if running. You may also send power
up the utility lines, endangering workers who are trying to restore
power to your facility.
- Never overload your generator
- Avoid light loading your generator.
- Clean up all fuel and oil leaks as soon as they are spotted. This
will tell you if you are developing a problem.
- If you have a petrol generator, NEVER re-fill it when it is hot.
There is tremendous danger of starting a fire and being severely burned.
ALWAYS keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach whenever working on
or refuelling a petrol generator.
- Be sure that your generator is properly grounded.
- Check with a professional to have any of these maintenance items
or checks performed.
Parts & Power Ltd maintain a staff of 9 fully qualified
engineers and are available to for service 7 days a week.
Contact us anytime.
Hurricane Tips - Quick checklist
- Do your Generator annual maintenance before 1st June.
- Change oil and filter.
- Drain, flush and change Coolant using premixed coolant (33% or 50%)
or a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol and distilled water.
- Inspect battery water and recharge necessary.
- Inspect all engine mounts.
- Inspect belts.
- Run the generator and inspect the gauges.
- Inspect your fuel tank.
- Change filters.
- Put your generator under load while it is running.
- Listen for strange noises.
- Check for leaks in hoses.
- Make sure you do not have any bitten or expose wires done by rodents
and pests.
- Inspect your Generator housing.
- Don't connect your generator directly to your home with out going
through a transfer switch.
- Never over load your generator.
- Make sure your generator and your house as proper ground.
- Check for Leaky exhaust and leaky fuel injector, washer, etc..
- Clean all oil leaks, oil spills, remove all fuel containers from
close by to the exhaust and always keep a fire extinguisher at easy
reach.
- Choose a Perkins Or
Northern-lights generator to reduce 75% of your
troubles.