Gillette Generators SPMD-2500 THRU SPMD-4000 - Manual (Page 23)

PAGE 23
BATTERY INSPECTION SHOULD INCLUDE:
● Inspect battery posts and cables for corrosion
build-up. Clean and tighten as required.
● Have the state of charge and over all condition
checked. A fully charged battery should test at 12.5-
13.0 volts D.C.
● See battery section on pages 24-25 for further
information
After each maintenance repair procedure is
complete, remember to replace 10 amp controller
fuse, and set controller switch to “STANDBY”
position.
OTHER DIESEL GEN-SET
CONSIDERATIONS
NAFPA-110, LEVEL-1 Requires a thermostatically
controlled engine coolant heater to be installed on
emergency standby gen-sets. These engine jacket
water heaters shall maintain coolant at minimum 90º
F (32º C). These engine heaters will help engine
starting and starting under load ability.
A battery wrap-around heating blanket should be
used to keep starting battery at minimum 50º F (10º
C). Battery heaters and engine coolant heaters are
automatically disconnected from commercial power,
upon standby gen-set start-up.
A 50/50 anti-freeze and di-ionized water solution is
recommended for all engines.
The diesel fuel system should provide clean fuel to
the generator. Normally, complete gen-set is
mounted on top of a double-wall, leak-proof fuel tank
with UL-142, plus NFPA-30, 37, and 110 Certification.
All plumbing, electrical connections, or safety shut
down systems are installed and fuel tank is ready to
receive fuel. Occasionally, on large KW systems, the
fuel tank is shipped separate from gen-set. Bulk
diesel fuel is stored in these large tanks, and is
transferred to smaller fuel tanks called “Day Tanks”,
which would be located close to generator set.
Check with local authorities to determine if quantity
of fuel is limited. If not, NEC and NFPA regulations
require that enough fuel is present to run gen-set for
minimum two (2) hours, depending on type of facility
that requires this emergency power plant. A general
guide is to have enough fuel at the gen-set, to run at
full load for 2-3 hours. Consult NFPA-37 for additional
OIL DRAIN: Remove oil drain hose from the holding
clip. Remove the end cap from end of oil drain hose,
and let oil drain into a separate container. Remove
dipstick and oil fill cap to facilitate complete draining
process. When oil is drained, replace dip stick, oil
fill cap, oil hose drain cap and place hose in holding
clip.
OIL FILL: Replace oil with premium grade API
SJ/10W-30 oil when ambient temperature is above
32º F (0º C). When temperature is below 32º F, use a
synthetic premium grade, API SJ/CF5W-30W. This
synthetic oil facilitates cold weather starting. Oil
level should reach “upper limit” level on oil dipstick.
CAUTION: Too much oil can cause oil foaming, high
oil consumption (white smoke emitting from exhaust)
or high operating temperature. Also, too little oil (oil
level to, or below “lower limit” on oil dipstick) can
cause severe engine damage, and premature shut-
down.
For best starting results, oil should be scheduled to
change, using synthetic oil, just before winter
season, in those cold climate areas. After oil is
changed, replace dipstick and oil fill cap.
COOLING SYSTEM: Engines are liquid cooled with
a radiator. Inspect the debris guard on engine air
intake to insure no obstructions have accumulated.
Inspect radiator to insure no debris accumulation has
occurred. Some generator models have bug/rodent
screens. Inspect and clean off any aluminum screens
that may collect debris.
EXHAUST SYSTEM: Engine end of generator set,
will be the hot exhaust discharge. Keep any
combustibles (building materials, fuels, chemicals,
flammables, etc.) away from this exhaust area.
Periodically inspect exhaust system components
(flexible pipes, mufflers, clamps, etc.) for leaks,
cracks, or corrosion. Your muffler maybe equipped
with a spark arrestor screen, which prevents exhaust
sparks from exiting the exhaust system. This screen
must be checked and cleaned, every 50-75 hours of
engine operation. NOTE: Check run time meter for
periods of maintenance.
CORROSION: Depending on the area of generator
installation, will depend on the amount of attention
given to cleanliness. Heavy concentration of salt
water exposure will require frequent washings and a
final waxing of housing exterior. Salt water corrosion
may enter the interior of generator housing, which
must be removed by special detergents. Every 3
months, spray the engine governor linkage and other
engine moving parts, and engine, generator, base
exterior with a light coverage of WD-40 to prevent
corrosion build-up, on these parts. Only professional
generator repair person should clean and/or spray
oil inside the generator housing. CAUTION
CAUTION