When the weather gets too cold, the diesel engine can struggle to start for various reasons. Like, the battery will get slug and slow down by roughly 46% at 0 degrees F. The thick oil and slower-moving internal parts can also stress the engine from starting. You need to check your batteries on a priority base when the weather is change. So this is one of the big challenges, “How to save diesel generators from winterization?”.
Mostly diesel engine generator sets are installed outside the house or business area because the size of the diesel generator is big and they produce carbon monoxide, which is not good for health.
Any kind of weather condition like rain, snow, sleet or hail will affect these outdoor installations of diesel engine generator sets. Mostly the diesel engine generator set outside in the telecommunication, data center, and hospitals.
There are a number of winterization accessories that can protect diesel engine generator from the cold climate.
There are two main reasons which will affect the generator in winter, the ambient air temperature and precipitation.
Combating cold air
This is very important to protect your diesel engine generator from cold air. Because cold air is one of the main reasons for oil thickness and blocks the engine. Here we will describe to you, how to combating cold air.
Oil
The block heater keeps your diesel generator engine oil warm when the engine is on idle position. you need to change or check the oil time by time if your generator operates continuously in freezing temperature.
When the weather gets too cold, the diesel engine can struggle to start for various reasons. Like, the battery will get slug and slow down by roughly 46% at 0 degrees F. The thick oil and slower-moving internal parts can also stress the engine from starting. You need to check your batteries on a priority base when the weather is change.
Mostly diesel engine generator sets are installed outside the house or business area because of the size of the diesel engine generator.
Fuel
Standard diesel fuel stored at low temperatures can gel, failing to com-bust and clogging fuel lines. Aftermarket fuel storage heaters and fuel line heaters are readily available and recommended to ensure reliability in northern tier regions.
Batteries
Most of the generator installations use lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries reduce less than 50% of its capacity when subject to below freezing temperatures. One way to rectify this is to but bigger batteries. If your generator is located near a separate AC power source. A thermostatically controlled warming blanket is the best way to protect your batteries from the cold.
What is an engine block heater
Also known as Water Jacket Heaters and Engine Pre-Heaters, engine block heaters are essential for maintaining ideal starting temperatures for your diesel and natural gas generators. NFPA regulation 110 calls for all critical mission standby generators to be able to start and reach operating conditions within 10 seconds of power loss. This requires the engine coolant to maintain at 100 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to avoid a dangerously cold start.
Most new diesel engine generator sets come with a block heater as standard equipment. However, it is best to understand what considerations go into choosing the appropriately sized heater. Fluctuations in the ambient operating temperature are first. The colder the air, the more powerful heater required. The amount of water for cooling and the overall surface area of the engine also play an important role. Normal heating situations may require 3 watts of power for every cubic inch of compression space, and colder applications may go up to 5 watts per cubic inch.
Benefits of engine block heaters.
Reduced engine wear
The oil pressure is elevated enough to provide sufficient lubrication when the temperature maintains between 100 to 120 degrees. When we start the engine the metal on metal contact associated with a cold start.
Reduced emissions
A cold engine does not run efficiently. Fewer fuel com-busts, causing wet-stacking conditions and black smoke. The block heater allows optimal conditions to reach almost immediately, properly burning fuel and limiting engine wear. This also conserves fuel for longer operating times.
Less stress on other systems
Cold batteries have reduced starting capacity, and a cold start can significantly drain the unit’s battery system.
What is cold starting aids
Cold starting aids are most useful to save diesel engine generator from winterization. You need to use aids that are approved by the generator manufacturer or an authorized distributor.
Here we provide a list of cold starting aids. But first, we need to discuss what kind of issue generator faces in winterization.
Low coolant level
A generator may sound an alarm or simply shut down when the coolant level is down. This alarm usually sounds when the temperature of the coolant is rising. When you hear the alarm go off.
Generator won’t start
Newer generators experience this problem a lot. Fuel systems now have Closer tolerance high strung to air. This is one reason to affect a generator’s ability to start up. When older generators don’t, it is often because there is a leak in the line or because the check valves do not properly hold fuel.
Save diesel generators from winterization.
Engine block heater
In above we give you a brief detail about the engine block heater. It is useful to maintain temperature to start the diesel engine generator.
Coolant heater
When the engine temperature is higher it promotes easier starting of the generator. A thermostatically controlled electric heater is fitted in the radiator to maintain the coolant at a temperature well above.
Glow plugs
When the diesel engine below the 1.0-liter cylinder is fixed with the cylinder head glow plug, we can operate it manually or automatically. They hit intake air into the combustion chamber and assist in starting in low ambient temperatures.
Air intel heater
A heater in the air intel duct heats air used for cooling and combustion, warm the engine and easier to start. When AC electric power is available, Diesel-fired heaters like rental sets. That is available with no AC power.
Control panel heaters
When temperatures fluctuate significantly and a cold stationary unit sits for a while before running, there is always the possibility of condensation forming of control panel surface contacts. To avoid unwanted condensation, manufacture offer AC power anti-condensation heater for the electrical control panel is generator enclosures.
Fuel condition
There are two methods to manage fuel conditions.
1. Winter fuel grade
Most of the generator manufacturer companies recommend winter-grade fuels. These fuels are suitable for the generator set. In the winter ambient condition winter glade fuels are blended with additives and prevent the gelling on the fuel.
2. Fuel line and storage tank heaters
When we store fuel outside that will be heated with approving fuel tank AC power device. This will also heat the delivery line to the engine. While most bulk storage tanks are located outside, some inside locations have those bulk storage tanks feed small fuel day tanks located inside next to the set to ensure fuel to the engine is at room temperature.
Lubrication oil
When the generator is in the idle position, the engine block heater will keep the engine oil warm. But oil grades specifically formulated for cold temperatures and that will cold be recommended for units, that keep running below freezing.
Conclusion
The effect of weather or climate change in the generator is very common. You need to protect your diesel engine generator, especially in the winter sessions. Because the winter session mostly affects generators. You need to check oil and coolant time by time to maintain your generator in good condition.
We hope this article will help you to understand, “How to save diesel generator from winterization”.