How to Maintain Diesel Generator Batteries to Keep Stable Performance?

Diesel generators can provide backup power during power outages and provide a continuous source of power in areas without access to the power grid. They can be used across the board through multiple, various industries. Batteries are an important part of a diesel generator and their performance directly affects the reliability and stability of the generator set. Below are some tips on diesel generator battery maintenance.

Regular maintenance of diesel generator batteries

The maintenance of generator batteries is the basis for ensuring their stable performance and extending their lifespan. The following are some key aspects that you need to pay attention to when maintaining the generator batteries.

Clean the battery surface regularly

The surface of diesel generator batteries is easy to accumulate dust, oil and other impurities that not only affect the external appearance of the batteries, but also may lead to corrosion of the battery poles and eventually affect the normal operation. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly use a wet cloth to clean the batteries and wipe the dirt on the surface. Keep in mind that do not use corrosive cleaners because they can cause damage to the batteries.

Check the electrolyte levels and concentrations

For lead-acid batteries, the liquid levels and concentrations of the electrolyte are key factors to ensure the normal operation. It is essential to check the heights and concentrations of the electrolyte regularly to ensure that they are within the normal range. If the electrolyte level is too low, you need to add distilled water or electrolyte in time. If the electrolyte concentration is too high or too low, it needs to be adjusted. Please note that tap water should not be added because impurities in it may cause damage to the batteries.

Check the battery cables

The battery cables are the key to ensure the normal communication between the batteries and the generator set. Periodically check the connections of the battery cables to ensure that the connections are firm and reliable. Also, check whether the insulation layer of the cable is intact, and replace it in time if it is damaged. The loose or damaged cables may cause the generator set to fail to receive the electric energy of the batteries normally. This may affect the start-up and operation of the generator set.

Monitor the battery voltage and internal resistance

Use a dedicated battery tester to regularly measure the voltage and internal resistance of the batteries to understand their health and remaining life. In general, it should be tested at least once a year. Battery low voltage may be caused by battery loss or internal failure, so you need to charge or replace the battery in time. The increase of internal resistance may indicate aging or corrosion inside the batteries.

Charge the batteries properly

After the diesel generator finishes running and the batteries are discharged, charge the batteries in time to ensure that the battery storage capacity is sufficient. During the charging process, it is necessary to periodically check whether the charging voltage and current are normal. Please note that overcharging will also cause damage to the batteries. Therefore, during the charging process, pay attention to controlling the charging time to avoid overcharging.

The battery is mainly used to start the diesel engine of the diesel generator. If there is something wrong with the battery, the generator performance may be affected or the diesel engine may fail to start. Thus, it’s important to maintain the generator batteries regularly. Don’t hesitate to reach out for any further information or assistance regarding to generator sets. Contact us at dingbo@dieselgeneratortech.com, and we will gladly help you.