As winter approaches and temperatures drop, people are taking various measures to stay warm. Diesel generator sets also require specific winter maintenance to extend their lifespan. How should we protect our generator sets from the cold in winter?

I. Engine Fuel: Low winter temperatures increase the viscosity and reduce the fluidity of diesel fuel, making it difficult to spray, resulting in poor atomization and even deteriorated combustion. This reduces the power and fuel economy of the diesel engine. Therefore, light diesel fuel with a low pour point and good ignition properties should be used in winter. Generally, the pour point of the diesel engine should be 7-10°C lower than the current seasonal temperature.

II. Starting with an Open Flame: In extremely cold areas, an open flame can be used to start the engine, but the air filter should not be removed. A cotton swab soaked in diesel fuel can be lit and placed inside the intake manifold to assist starting. However, this will allow unfiltered, dusty air from the outside to be directly drawn into the cylinder, causing abnormal wear on the piston and cylinder parts, and resulting in rough engine operation and damage.

III. Draining Coolant Too Early or Not Draining It at All

Before shutting down the generator, let it idle until the coolant temperature drops below 60℃ (the water is no longer hot to the touch) before shutting it off and draining the coolant. Draining the coolant too early can cause the engine block to suddenly contract when exposed to cold air at a higher temperature, leading to cracks. When draining, ensure all remaining water is completely removed to prevent it from freezing and expanding, which could cause the engine block to crack. Shunjinxing strongly recommends that users use antifreeze regardless of the season, especially for generator sets. Antifreeze not only cools the engine but also protects it.

IV. Lubricating Oil Selection
In winter, use a low-pour-point engine oil. During startup, an external water bath can be used to raise the oil temperature. Open flames are not recommended, as they can cause the oil in the oil pan to deteriorate or even burn, reducing or completely eliminating its lubricating properties and accelerating machine wear.

V. Starting Method

In winter, if possible, equip the generator with a water jacket heater to maintain a certain "body temperature" for easy operation. Some operators, in an attempt to start the diesel generator quickly, often use an abnormal starting method (starting first, then adding cooling water). This practice will cause serious damage to the machine and should be prohibited. The correct preheating method is: first, cover the water tank with an insulation blanket, open the drain valve, and continuously inject clean soft water at 60-70℃ into the tank. When the water flowing from the drain valve feels hot to the touch, close the drain valve and then start the engine.

VI. Precautions for Low-Temperature Loading

After the diesel generator is started, some operators are eager to immediately put it under load. A diesel engine that has only recently started has a low engine temperature and high oil viscosity, making it difficult for the oil to penetrate the moving friction surfaces, causing severe wear. Furthermore, the plunger springs, valve springs, and injector springs are prone to breakage due to "cold brittleness." Therefore, after starting a diesel generator in winter, it should be idled at low to medium speed for a few minutes until the cooling water temperature reaches 60°C before being put into operation under load.