Some Common Problems With Diesel Generator Sets

A diesel generator is a combination of an diesel engine and an electrical generator to produce electrical energy directly from diesel fuel. This is in fact a very special case of diesel-driven engine generator. In general, a diesel compression ignition engine is generally designed to operate on diesel only, although some models are also adapted for use on alternative fuels or alternative fuel systems. In many cases, these generators are actually smaller than standard diesel generators.

It is difficult to assess the exact load required from a diesel generator as different situations will call for different fuel sources. In fact, there are no set load requirements, as any generator will be able to handle a full load if needed. The size and capacity will depend on the purpose and the requirement of the project. A full load can refer to the maximum load a machine can handle at its maximum speed while a zero turn rating simply refers to the machine’s ability to turn slow. If a machine is only used during the summer months then a zero turn rating is more appropriate.

There are several factors that can affect the power factor. For example, the load condition may call for a lower power factor, in which case the engine will have to work harder to maintain the same output. Similarly, the environmental conditions can affect the power factor, as may the level of pollution in the area. A diesel generator’s output power will also be affected by the efficiency of the fuel.

The key components that influence the power balancing are the operating speed, the maximum output power and the reaction time. Operating speed is determined by the driving force applied to the generator. Naturally, the greater the load, the stronger the driving force needs to be. In addition, this results in increased fuel consumption. Inefficient engines also have a poor response time. This means that they tend to work at a lower output until the required pressure is reached and then they have to’slow down’.

On the other hand, the maximum output power and the reaction time are related to the wind turbine’s speed at the time the diesel generator starts up. As the wind turbine slows, so does the generator. In effect, the generator’s speed determines both the load balance and the output of the system. However, even if one factor is already fixed, such as the maximum load requirement of the diesel generator, it is possible to alter the other factors to achieve better load matching.

As an example, the high switch is used to activate the fan and the air cleaner. If the wind turbine’s speed is too low to support the high switch setting, then the air cleaner will not be activated and the diesel generator will operate at a full load. However, if the setting is too high, the fan will run continuously and the output of the generator will be lower than desired. This can be overcome by raising the setting on the high switch.

It is not difficult to identify open circuit problems with diesel generator sets. A quick check with the Ohm meter will show that there are voltage drops in most of the circuits, especially when operating at full load. However, there are also situations where the voltage spike happens at normal operating conditions, but when this spikes suddenly to reach the open circuit limits, the generator will cut power supply to the system. This can happen either because of faults in the power line or faults in the load controller.

The problems in the load management process are not the only reasons why a diesel generator will cut power to the system. There are high pressure losses, overload of energy by the motor and high speed fluctuations that are commonly experienced in applications using high power ratings. Again, the open circuit limit can be overcome by raising the kw limit switch. In such cases, it would be better to consult a generator service company as the problem can be easily solved. There are several other causes of such kind of failures and issues, and each of these requires a different remedy, which is determined by the problem type.