Emergency equipment or system onboard the ships play a vital role and work as the lifeline for both the ship and crew in face of an emergency. Without a doubt, the emergency generator is one of the crucial pieces of equipment on the ship that helps to prevent accidents and grounding of ships due to power failure when the ship is in heavy traffic, narrow channels, rough weather, or during maneuvering. Such generators work as a backup power source when the primary generator fails to supply power to the engine room or other systems.
So, since the emergency generator is such a vital tool, it must be regularly tested and well maintained. Only then there would be an assurance that it would when expected. Here are a few tips on how to maintain ships’ emergency generators. Take a look to learn more. If you are planning to purchase a passenger ferry for sale, then this information would be more useful for you.
Top Tips to Maintain the Emergency Generators on Ships
Take a look to learn about the maintenance work that should be done on the ship’s generator.
Engine Sump Oil Should be Changed
One of the vital things to do is to regularly inspect the oil level in the sump. This is because the emergency generator on the ship is generally kept in auto mode to ensure the generator gets loaded on its own. So, it becomes important that before operating the engine, the oil level is inspected along with the quality of the oil. If it is found that the oil contains soot particles, then the oil should be completely changed.
Examine Water Separator
Some of the emergency generators are equipped with a technology that prohibits the mixing of fuel and water; this is called the water separator. Examine this separator to see whether the water level is below the level that is marked and is drained off daily. This is to ensure that rust and corrosion don’t get the better of the fuel line devices and that incomplete combustion can be prevented.
Air Cleaner Must be Cleaned
The combustion air used by the engine is filtered with the help of an air filter. Now, these are of two types: 1) oil bath air cleaners, and 2) dry cartridge air cleaners. The air filter must be cleaned daily at the right interval, as any delay will lead to less air supply to the engine due to clogging. And, as a result, the engine’s efficiency will decrease and the thermal parameters will be boosted. If a dry cartridge is used, it should be changed at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.
Examine V belt
When an emergency generator is fitted with a V-belt, it must be examined to see if it has developed any cracks or damages. If noticed, then the belt must be renewed. Also, you must check the tension on the belt; for this, ensure that the belt is checked with a thumb in the midsection of the pulley. Also, examine the inward deflection in mm. It should not exceed 10-15 mm based on the generator’s design.
Examine the Electrolyte of the Battery
The battery helps start the generator. Being a vital part, it must be inspected daily at regular intervals. This could be done either by inserting a level stick or by checking the level of the water. Make sure to refill it with distilled water once it has reached the low level.
Oil Filter Cartridge Should be Cleaned
There are various oil filters, for example, bypass filters, lube oil filters, pump filters, fuel feed filters, and others. These filters must be cleaned properly, or the cartridge filter must be renewed as has been instructed by the manufacturer or based on the condition of the oil.
Check Shutdowns and Alarms
The emergency generator that comes with different safety devices must be regularly inspected and tested. Generators that come equipped with V-belts have additional alarms attached to them that would be sounded when the belt fails or the idler pulley is operated.
If you are considering purchasing a passenger ferry for sale, then make sure that it comes with standard safety devices and technologies. To make the best decision, you can consult top shipbrokers.
Examine the Valve Clearance
The inlet and exhaust valves’ tappet clearance must be checked when they are running, as has been mentioned in the manufacturer’s manual section. You must also ensure that the engine is not hot and has cooled before checking the tappet clearance.
Conclusion
These are some of the top maintenance tips that you can follow to ensure that the emergency generator that a ship comes equipped with is in good condition. Otherwise, if an emergency generator, due to a lack of maintenance, fails to perform when it is required, it can lead to accidents and other unfortunate events on board a ship. So, make sure first to buy a passenger ferry for sale that is equipped with the best safety features, and make sure the emergency generator on the ship is well maintained.
