A marine generator on board a boat or yacht serves an important role when enjoying your vessel. The marine generator set keeps all the lights and important electrical systems running smoothly when you are out at sea. Because of its vital importance on board any large marine vessel, regular attention and maintenance are necessary to ensure it runs smoothly year round.
The near constant use of the generator requires that you make a habit of performing routine inspection and maintenance. The last thing any boating enthusiast wants is a malfunctioning generator producing noxious fumes and loud noises while out at sea. These checks and procedures can also help cut maintenance and repair costs in half.
Just what are some of these important habits to develop for maintaining the best functioning marine generator set? Some may seem like no-brainers while others are little-known tricks to ensuring all the lights and electrical equipment stay running without any hiccups. Below are some tips and important things to look for to prevent a costly repair later.
- Always be sure to carry spare parts on board your large vessel. Sometimes, you will be required to perform some simple repair and maintenance while out at sea. When that time comes, be certain to carry at least one spare oil filter, extra coolant, extra oil, one spare belt, two spare oil filters and the proper tools needed at all times while operating your large boat or yacht.
- Maintaining the generator diodes and the automatic voltage regulator are key to preventing costly repairs down the line. The best way to do this is to inspect the AC load breaker and set the switch to the OFF position when initially starting the marine generator set. Allow for a brief warm up period of about a minute before connecting the AC load. Allow the unit to cool down after by switching the breaker to the OFF position.
- Daily oil and coolant level checks are important for avoiding a costly marine generator set repair. Checking the pressure cap and not just the overflow bottle while also remembering to inspect the alternator/water pumps for leaks will ensure your generator is always running effectively.
- When starting at the dock always be sure to switch the shore power breaker at the dock prior to turning the marine generator set on. The generator could permanently connect to the shower power if the shore power switch is worn out and in need of replacing. This could not only lead to catastrophic damage to the generator but is also very dangerous.
If you still need advice on maintaining your generator or need to speak to a marine generator specialist, be sure to speak to an expert at Diesel Services of America. This boating season, don’t let a simple maintenance issue become a full blown and costly repair job.
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Marine Generator Set
