Practical Recommendations for the Use and Maintenance of Backup Diesel Generators in the Livestock Industry during Summer Heat

Summers are high, rainy, and full of mosquitoes. If the backup diesel generator in the farm is not properly maintained, it can cause boiling and starting difficulties due to high temperatures, battery drainage, moisture and short circuits during the rainy season, and at critical moments, it can cause failures and directly affect oxygen supply, water pumps, refrigeration, and feeding equipment. Below is a set of down-to-earth and usable summer maintenance tips for farms:

 

Ⅰ. Key points for cooling and cooling (most common problems in summer)

1. Cleaning radiator/water tank: Farms are plagued by dust, feathers, and weeds, which can easily clog the radiator fins; Blowing dust, willow catkins, and weeds once a week ensures the heat sink is well-ventilated so the pot won't heat up.

 

2. Ensure Ventilation in the Equipment Room Do not confine the unit in a sealed small room; leave ventilation openings at the front and back, and install exhaust fans if necessary; When storing outdoors, avoid direct sunlight. You can set up a simple sunshade and don't completely enclose it to keep it warm.

 

3. Regularly check the coolant. Keep the liquid level at the standard level. In summer, it is recommended to use a standard antifreeze and purified water ratio. Do not add tap water directly, as it can easily cause scale buildup, clog the tank, and corrode the body.

 

4. Avoid prolonged full load. In summer, when ambient temperatures are high, try not to run at 100% full load for long periods; leave 10%–20% margin to reduce high-temperature failure rates.

 

Ⅱ. Summer Adaptation of Engine Oil and Filter Cartridges

1. Replace the summer special engine oil. For high temperatures, it is recommended to use 15W-40 high-viscosity diesel engine oil. Avoid winter thin oil, as high temperatures can lead to low oil pressure and significant wear.

 

2. Timely replacement of the three filters: Air filter, engine oil filter, and diesel filter element are under heavy load and dusty in summer, shortening the replacement cycle; If the air filter gets dirty, replace it immediately to avoid insufficient airflow, black smoke, and reduced power.

 

Ⅲ. Fuel and Fuel Tank Protection

1. Diesel UV Protection and High-Temperature Vaporization Protection: The fuel tank should avoid direct sunlight to prevent high-temperature diesel evaporation and gas blockage, which can cause difficulty starting and intermittent operation.

 

2. Regularly drain water and settle Water In summer, with heavy rain and large temperature differences, the fuel tank tends to condense and accumulate water. Drain sediment water from the bottom of the tank weekly to prevent corrosion and damage to the injectors and high-pressure pump.

 

3. Fill the tank with a filling for long-term reserves. It is recommended to fill the tank to reduce air and reduce condensate production.

 

Ⅳ. Battery and Starting System

1. Prevent high-temperature battery loss: In summer, high-temperature batteries are prone to self-discharge and bulging; Every 7–10 days, start the car no-load in place for 10–15 minutes to recharge the battery and avoid losing power during outages.

 

2. Check the terminal terminals: Clean the battery pile head of oxidation and white frost, tighten the wiring to prevent poor contact with high temperatures and overheating from ignition.

 

3. Outdoor units should be rainproof. Batteries and control panels are sensitive to rain and moisture, so provide proper protection and waterproofing to prevent short circuits and controller burn. 

Ⅴ. Moisture Protection, Rain Protection, and Lightning Protection During the Rainy Season

1. Elevate the unit and lift it off the ground: The farm is low-lying and prone to water accumulation. The base must be raised to prevent rainwater from soaking the chassis and motor coils from becoming damp.

 

2. Moisture-proof electrical control cabinets and generators: Humidity during the rainy season can lead to insulation degradation and leakage; If not used for a long time, you can regularly turn on the machine to dry the coil or add desiccant.

 

3. Outdoor towers/Open field units

Make sure to do proper grounding and lightning protection. Try not to start or stop the unit during thunderstorms to avoid lightning damage to the control module.

Ⅵ. Farm-specific usage habits

1. Regular no-load test runs

Don't let backup units sit idle all the time. In summer, start them once every 3–5 days, run for 10 minutes, and check that water temperature, oil pressure, and voltage are normal so that they can be used immediately when the power goes out.

2. Test supported loads in advance

Test loads like farm aerators, water pumps, cooling fans, and feed machines in advance to prevent tripping or overload issues when they are first used after a power outage.

3. Stay away from farm odors and corrosive sources

Keep away from manure areas and places with strong ammonia odors, as ammonia can corrode motor coils and metal pipes, speeding up unit aging.

 

Ⅶ. Emergency tips

In summer, if the city power goes out, start the unit first, then turn on the electrical equipment one by one. Don't load everything at once to avoid instant overload shutdown. If the water temperature is too high, immediately reduce the load and shut down for inspection.