It’s something many home owners and business owners are investing in, but with so many on the market – which one is best for your specific building? There is always concern around whether or not a generator is installed correctly, and what the collateral household damage could be if it’s not. A question we get quite often at S&A Generators is, “will using a generator damage my electrical equipment?” To answer this question, we need to know about the two different types of generators on the market – and what you can do as a generator owner to prevent the damage of your home’s electrical gadgets and appliances.
Two types of generators
When it comes to commercially-sold generators, there are two types that are widely used across the world. These are inverter generators and non-inverter generators:
These are common on ‘best portable generators’ lists, and are a bit more complicated mechanically than their non-inverting cousins. Inverter generators feature batteries, alternators, and inverters. These take an unstable AC current, convert it to DC, and then back to stable AC. Because of this, the power output from inverter generators is considered more suited to running things like home appliances and electrical equipment.
These generators are more ‘old school’. They run on fossil fuels, as do many inverter generators, but there is no battery or power inversion process taking place. In other words, the current being created by the non-inverting generator is susceptible to fluctuation, which is not good news for the electrical appliances being powered by it.
Which one damages electrical equipment?
As you’ve likely figured out, non-inverting generators have the best chance of causing harm to electrical appliances and equipment. This is not to say that every generator of this kind will cause issues, but the safest bet is to invest in an inverter generator. Not only for the sake of your appliances, but also because the on-board battery is handy to have should your inverting generator run out of fuel.
Can you prevent electrical damage?
The answer to this question will always be YES. If you are still saving up for an inverter generator to replace your old non-inverting one, you can help keep your power output stable by ensuring that your generator is in good operating condition at all times. The best way to do this is with planned generator maintenance, where your generator is serviced every 3 months to keep it in peak condition all year long.
Looking for generator professionals in Durban?
Installing a residential or commercial generator makes sense in the age of load shedding, but not all generators are suited to every application. Likewise, not all generator service providers have over five decades of experience. We do, and we’re ready to assist you with any and all of your generator needs. Get in touch to discuss your generator!
You might think this concept has something to do with water, but it doesn’t. Diesel generator wet stacking is an extremely common generator issue, usually showing its worst impacts after a period. The good news is that wet stacking is preventable.
All you need are generator specialists to shed some light on the problem – and show you how to stave off diesel generator wet stacking for good. Let’s look at what it is, signs it’s taking place, and how to prevent generator wet stacking:
What exactly is wet stacking?
Like any internal combustion engine, diesel generators have optimal temperatures. Without at least 60% load on the generator when it’s being used, the engine doesn’t get hot enough to burn off excess fuel and carbon deposits.
A build up of these in the diesel generator’s exhaust system is called wet stacking. There are a few indicators of wet stacking that any diesel generator owner should look out for.
Signs of diesel generator wet stacking
There are two main signs of wet stacking becoming a serious problem for your generator’s power output and general longevity:
- Black ooze around the exhaust pipe
- Continuous black exhaust smoke
So, what’s the big deal with some exhaust soot and decoloured smoke? Wet stacking can clog your generator’s injectors, decreasing its output performance. Backpressure is also a likely outcome, and a combination of factors leads to reduced efficiency, shortened part life, and increased repair costs.
But wait, there’s more! Wet stacking can affect your generator oil’s ability to protect the engine, and will cause increased wear over time. At suboptimal temperatures, the pistons don’t interact with the cylinders as they should, often causing unburned fuel to leak into the oil pan and diluting the oil.
How to prevent wet stacking
There are a few things you can tick off to give your generator the best chance of surviving wet stacking:
- Run your diesel generator for 15 – 20 minutes once a week.
- Ensure the generator is running at a minimum of 60% load when operational.
- Make sure that your genset’s fuel tank is always kept full.
- Check that the generator is reaching the manufacturer’s recommended operating temperatures.
- Book a planned generator maintenance plan, where your genset will be kept in optimal condition throughout its life.
Expert diesel generator services in KZN
The best way to prevent the devastating impact of wet stacking is to let a qualified generator technician perform regular generator fuel refills and generator maintenance. Wet stacking is one of multiple problems impacting generators that aren’t looked after, so it pays to maintain the generator instead of having to sit without power while it’s being repaired or replaced. Get in touch with S&A Generators to arrange expert diesel generator services in KwaZulu-Natal.
In our article on a recent gas generator installation the S&A team were involved in, we briefly discuss the numerous benefits of upgrading your diesel gen-set to a gas generator system. Don’t get us wrong, ‘old faithful’ diesel generators are far from losing their long-standing place in the backup power sector.
Diesel generators has long been the standard, but as international interest into green energy solutions heightens, we’re seeing a growth in gas powered generators’ popularity. This leaves countless people with a dilemma when first looking into establishing back-up power for their home or business. Diesel generator or gas generator? Tried-and-trusted or cutting-edge?
This article offers pros and cons of both types of generators, and shares how S&A Generators can assist with any of your generator-related needs:
A (very) short comparison of the two
Noise pollution is something nobody enjoys, which makes diesel generators somewhat of a bad choice for eco-estates and other residential settings. On the other hand, natural gas is pretty explosive, and requires specialist care when being handled.
CD & Power, international backup power providers, summarise the differences between diesel generators and gas generators pretty well:
- DIESEL GENSET = inexpensive and reliable, but loud and sometimes messy
- NATURAL GAS GENSET = quiet and cleaner, but usually expensive and temperamental
Pros & cons of diesel and gas generators
It must be noted that continuous innovation in the field has brought much of the above into question. Diesel generators are becoming quieter and more fuel efficient, while gas powered generators are getting more cost-effective and robust. Nevertheless, here are the most common arguments for and against diesel and natural gas generators:
Diesel Generators:
- Sturdy, reliable, and have a long lifespan when correctly maintained.
- Diesel is less flammable, so considered safer to use as a fuel source.
- More portable, so more versatile in terms of application.
- Range in sizes from very small (residential) to large (industrial).
- Louder than gas generators when in operation.
- Price to keep fuelled fluctuates with diesel prices.
- Requires storage capability to keep fuel on site.
Gas Generators:
- Natural gas is cleaner, with lower emissions, than fossil fuels.
- Gas generators are much quieter than their diesel counterparts.
- They often come in at a fraction of the cost.
- It costs less to maintain a natural gas generator.
- A gas generator has a shorter lifespan.
- Much larger than most diesel generators.
- Gas is explosive, so extra care must be taken.
Have your generator installed by the best
S&A Generators has been involved with backup power installations and maintenance since before gas generators were even a thing. We’ve seen the sector innovate and improve, and we’ve done so alongside it. Our teams are able to source, transport, and install diesel and gas generators. We also offer generator maintenance services in KwaZulu-Natal. For any and all of your diesel or gas generator needs, get in touch with us here.
