PacB Group // Access to Generator Spares Can be Key to Operational Efficiency

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Access to Generator Spares Can be Key to Operational Efficiency

Today, more than ever, when faced with the threat of power outages due to enforced load shedding and brownouts, taking the simple precaution of investing in an efficient backup or emergency power supply has become a crucial factor in maintaining a factory’s productivity and its profits. Since that additional power will invariably be the product of a generator, having easy access to any spares that might, at some stage, be necessary could also prove to be crucial.

A quick look at the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding essential preventative maintenance measures should be enough to indicate those items that are most likely to become worn and to require replacement from time to time, and so, if you choose, you could simply undertake to maintain a stock of these in the workplace.

However, given that the key to remaining productive is to replace those more vulnerable generator parts with suitable spares before they start to cause problems, regular monitoring of each machine’s performance and attending to any necessary replacements will be the best course of action. Furthermore, the manufacturer of your machine will have prepared a detailed schedule of all the tasks necessary to keep it functioning as it was designed to.

The aim of the schedule is to encourage a culture of problem prevention rather than one of reliance on corrective measures to recover from them. More importantly, strict adherence to the service schedule and the use of OEM generator spares alone are almost certain to be among the conditions imposed by the manufacturer’s warranty.

If you are fortunate enough to be located within easy reach of a supplier who makes a point of stocking a wide range of replacement parts and consumables, you may be able to get away with keeping just a few of the more frequently needed items on site. However, should this not be the case, you would be far better advised to ensure your company maintains a full stock of recommended generator spares and to be sure to replenish it before any of those items run out.

The parts you will need to stock will tend to vary according to the make and model of the machine you have purchased and, in most cases, you would be well-advised to stick to using the manufacturer’s original parts rather than hoping to save some cash by purchasing cheaper substitutes. Also, be sure to record all of the correct part numbers as indicated in the machine’s manual when ordering.

Clearly, items, such as fuel and air filters and a backup battery are fairly basic requirements, and should feature quite prominently among your generator spares. However, items, such as bearings, exhausts, and other valves, piston rings, fuel injection pumps, and gaskets are no less important. However, removing and replacing items, such as these, will require considerably more engineering expertise on the part of those who will be tasked with the job of keeping your machines running smoothly. So, even if you hold stock, you may still need to hire an electrician or diesel engineer to install them.

In practice, allowing your supplier to manage the entire exercise makes sense. In this case, generator spares may either be stored on-site or brought by the supplier’s engineers when they visit. It is unlikely that anyone will be better positioned to understand your machines and their service requirements and to implement the manufacturer’s recommendations to the letter.

Regardless of whether you decide to tackle the task in house or choose, instead, to enter into a service agreement with your supplier, it will be important to have a backup machine, as fitting generator spares will require your main machine to be taken offline. For peace of mind and the total reassurance of all the power you need whenever you need it, why not seek some advice from the experts at PacB Group?