Generator Servicing & Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Power Supply Reliable

Generators are essential for ensuring uninterrupted power supply, whether at home, work, or in industrial settings. Like any machine with moving parts and an engine, generators require regular servicing and maintenance to deliver optimal performance and longevity.

This comprehensive Hyundai Power Equipment guide will cover servicing and maintenance tips for various generator types, including petrol, diesel and inverter generators. From portable generators, to standby generators, inverter generators through to industrial prime power generators, these tips will help you keep your equipment in excellent condition.

Why Generator Maintenance is Crucial

Generators play a critical role across multiple sectors, from backup power in homes to industrial applications in construction, healthcare, and mining. Generator maintenance is important to upkeep efficiency, reduce costly repairs, or complete failure when you need it most.

Just like vehicles, generators require regular upkeep—oil changes, filter replacements, and periodic inspections—to ensure smooth operation. Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your generator and keeps it ready to power through any outage or demand.

Servicing Professional Generators

Within industrial, home, office or business environments, it is commonplace to have a backup plan in place to ensure power 24/7. Many businesses in areas such as construction, mining, gas or even within the healthcare industry will rely on a backup power source. Carrying out regular service and maintenance on your generator should also be of paramount importance.

In some cases where industries rely on prime power, such as the health industry, it is advisable that you have a local generator specialist carry out these regular servicing intervals. That said, this blog aims to highlight the key aspects for maintaining your generator and our step-by-step guide will instil confidence that your generator will deliver optimum performance year after year.

How Often Should You Service Your Generator?

An annual service in the industry terms is the absolute minimum requirement. But as previously mentioned this can be dependent on the application of the generator and it’s frequency of use.

The frequency of generator servicing depends on its application and usage hours:

Annual Servicing: Minimum requirement for most generators.

Six-Month Servicing: Recommended for frequent or heavy-duty use.

Daily Checks: Essential for generators used in critical applications, such as healthcare or prime power.

For the most part, we recommend a regular six month service will help ensure you are staying on top of the essential components of your generator. We advice referring to your manufacturer’s user manual for specific servicing intervals and guidelines.

Daily Generator Maintenance Checklist

Simple maintenance and basic checks will save you time and money while also ensuring you will continue to get maximum performance from your generator. All work should be carried out by a competent person. If you are unsure on any of this please contact your local dealer/manufacturer you have purchased the generator from. Hyundai Power Equipment has a full after sales and technical support team available Monday-Friday 8:30am until 5:00pm should you have any questions or need support carrying out your generator service.

For businesses relying on generators, incorporating daily checks into your routine is crucial:

✅ Check and refill fuel levels.

✅ Inspect and top up engine oil.

✅ Look for oil leaks.

✅ Tighten loose fastening parts.

✅ Inspect the generator’s exterior for dents, scuffs, or other damage that could affect internal components.

Generator Servicing Guide by Type

Petrol Generators

✅ Change engine oil after the first 20 hours, then every 100 hours.

✅ Replace the spark plug every 250 hours.

✅ Clean or replace the air filter every 250 hours.

✅ Adjust valve clearance every 500 hours.

✅ Recommended oil: SAE30 or SAE15W40.

Diesel 3000RPM Generators

✅ Change engine oil and clean the oil filter after the first 20 hours, then every 100 hours.

✅ Replace the air and fuel filters every 250 hours.

✅ Adjust valve clearance every 500 hours.

✅ Recommended oil: SAE15W40.

Diesel 1500RPM Generators

✅ Change engine oil every 250 hours or every 500 hours with synthetic oil.

✅ Clean or replace the air filter every 500 hours.

✅ Replace the diesel filter every 500 hours.

✅ Run the generator at 70% load during each service.

✅ Recommended oil: SAE15W40.

Inverter Generators

✅ Change engine oil after the first 20 hours, then every 100 hours.

✅ Replace the spark plug every 250 hours.

✅ Clean or replace the air filter every 250 hours.

✅ Adjust valve clearance every 500 hours.

✅ Recommended oil: SAE30 or SAE15W40.

Essential Maintenance Tips

Spark Plug & Air Filter Care

✅ Inspect spark plugs regularly. Clean the electrode with a soft wire brush and check the gap. Replace if there’s wear or damage.

✅ Air filters should be cleaned or replaced at the recommended intervals. Foam filters require cleaning and re-oiling, while gauze filters can be cleaned by blowing out debris.

Battery Maintenance

✅ Ensure batteries are fully charged before storage.

✅ Invest in a trickle charger to keep batteries in good condition.

✅ Store batteries in a cool, dry place and clean terminals to maintain good contact.

Fuel Management

✅ Drain fuel from the tank and carburettor if storing the generator for more than 30 days. Stale fuel can cause starting issues.

✅ Consider using a fuel stabilizer to extend the fuel’s shelf life. Hyundai Power Equipment offers stabilizers available for next-day delivery.

✅Dispose of old fuel responsibly by consulting local authorities.

Diesel Generator Service Kits

Hyundai Power Equipment offers convenient diesel service kit packages to make maintenance easier. These kits include all necessary components for a routine service and are available for next-day delivery. Purchasing a service kit with your generator ensures you’re prepared for its first maintenance.

Storage Tips for Generators

Proper storage can prevent issues and prolong your generator’s life:

✅ Store in a cool, dry place.

✅ Cover the generator to protect it from dust and moisture.

✅Disconnect the battery if storing for an extended period.

Why Choose Hyundai Generators?

Hyundai Power Equipment is a trusted name in the generator market, offering a wide range of products from portable inverter generators to heavy-duty diesel generator units. With a dedicated after-sales and technical support team, Hyundai ensures you get the most out of your investment.

Need Assistance? Contact Hyundai Power Equipment

If you have questions about your generator’s servicing schedule or require technical support, the Hyundai team is ready to help. Call 01646 687880, or discover our Generators here.

Ensure your generator performs at its best by following our generator servicing and maintenance tips to ensure reliability, efficiency, and longevity. From daily checks to in-depth care. Read here! and referring to your user manual. Regular maintenance keeps your power supply reliable and your equipment in excellent condition for years to come.

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