How to reduce fuel consumption in a small generator

So that you can gain the very best understanding of how to save generator fuel, the specialists at Vital Power have pooled their expertise within the industry to create this guide on reducing fuel consumption for diesel generators.

How to reduce generator fuel consumption

Regular Generator Maintenance

It might sound obvious, but simply performing regular generator maintenance can not only help decrease fuel consumption, but can also assist with the overall performance. Of course, maintenance and servicing will allow you to identify, repair or prevent any issues, which could be a root cause of an increase in fuel consumption.

It’s also vital that any spare generator parts or components that you purchase are sourced from dependable and approved suppliers. Good quality materials will save money both on repairs and fuel. So, take care to avoid faulty, damaged or broken parts that will simply become an issue in the future and potentially increase fuel consumption once again.

Avoid generator overload

Overloading the generator a greater than recommended demand for power will, of course, ultimately require an increase in fuel consumption. This can then damage the generator much more, and potentially cause further issues that will result in an overall decrease in performance and fuel consumption rate.

To ensure you use the correct load with your generator, Vital Power offers load bank testing services to take the stress away.

Avoid generator underload

On the other end of the spectrum, you should also avoid underloading the generator. If you operate a diesel generator at less than 50% load, you could be at risk of using an increase of fuel as your generator may struggle to reach the maximum operating temperature easily. This will then increase the fuel consumption, as well as leading to other issues such as short product life span.

Remove generator carbon deposits

During the combustion phase of the generator, components including the diesel fuel and oil begin to heat up extensively. This causes ash carbon polymer to be attached to the valve, valve set, injector, piston top and much more.

Often, these carbon deposits are the root source of the black smoke that is traditionally associated with diesel engines, though it can also result in increased consumption for fuel.

Because of this, it’s always advised that you have the carbon deposits removed from the generator, as well as making sure you regularly clean the whole of the generator where possible. At Vital Power we offer fuel tank cleaning and more to keep your machinery in top condition and powering efficiently.

Use the right temperature for the generator

So that the combustion of the diesel is efficient, you need to ensure the generator’s operating temperature is kept at the correct level. If the cooling water is at the wrong temperature, it can often result in incomplete combustion. This in turn will further lead to an increase in fuel, which can easily be avoided by checking temperatures before operation.

Choose the right generator

Before you purchase your backup generator, you should be fully aware of all the energy requirements you have so that you can purchase a generator that is suited for your specific needs. This is vital for guaranteeing that you will not overload or under utilise the generator, which will influence the fuel consumption as mentioned above.

If you are currently unaware of your power requirements, then it’s always recommended that you ask an expert to take a look at your power needs before you purchase a generator. Vital Power offers contingency power plans, where we can assess your requirements and provide a tailored plan to minimise any risks to your power supply, budget or business.

For more advice on choosing the right generator and ensuring your power supply is efficient, contact Vital Power today.