What is Wet Stacking and What Can You Do About It?
Diesel generators are renowned for their reliable performance in challenging conditions, but a lack of professional maintenance can leave generator sets affected by an issue known as “wet stacking” that should be rectified as soon as possible. Here are some insights from the CAT rental team.
What is Wet Stacking and What Causes This Issue?
This is a condition that is common in generator sets that are used infrequently or where fuel is not stored properly. Essentially, diesel fuel deteriorates fairly quickly – within 6 months to a year – and this deterioration causes moisture and carbon particles to gather in the exhaust system of diesel generators. This results in a dark, thick liquid in the generator set’s exhaust stacks and, as a result, it’s called wet stacking. This can affect the injectors and valves of the engine, reducing performance and lifespan in the long-term if left untreated.
Common causes of wet stacking include:
Not draining generator sets before storing them or between long periods of use
Not adding fuel preservative to the diesel generator’s fuel tank
Keeping your generator low on fuel
Keeping your generator at 60% load or under its recommended operating temperature
How to Fix Wet Stacking
Wet stacking can be avoided completely by running your diesel generators for 20 minutes each week and having it regularly serviced by professional technicians. However, if you have a wet stacking issue, it can be corrected fairly easily, reducing maintenance and repair cost in the long run.
The first thing to do if the issue is new is to run the generator set at its recommended operating temperature with a 75% load. If the problem has been around for a while, the system may be fairly clogged and valves and other functional features may be compromised, so it is best to call inexperienced technicians to give your diesel generators a comprehensive inspection and service.
High-Quality Commercial and Industrial Generator Sets from CAT rental
If you are considering purchasing or hiring new or used diesel generators, the CAT rental team at Energy Power Systems Australia is ready to assist you. In addition to supplying you with a custom power generation solution, including generator sets and industrial equipment, our CAT rental team can assist you with a full range of maintenance, servicing, engineering, and technical services, whether you are located anywhere in Australia, the Solomon Islands or Papua New Guinea.
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