Investing in regular generator repair and maintenance services can help keep your generator running smoothly during an emergency. These services can diagnose what's wrong, replace and repair broken parts and perform routine cleanings and check-ups to keep your generator running its best. Some companies will also perform routine overhauls, generator optimization and load testing.

A generator repair service usually offers a wide range of options, including maintenance and repair contracts, emergency repair service, replacement parts ordering and purchase and generator installation. Working with generator repair services can give you the peace of mind that comes with dealing with an experienced professional.

1. Always make sure the generator repair company you choose has worked with your type of generator before. Don't take a gas generator repair to a company that specializes in electric generator repair.

2. Generator repair shops can often repair most residential generators, although their hours are usually more limited than larger repair services.

3. Diesel generator repair may require a company that specializes in heavy-duty and diesel generators.

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Buy a preventative generator maintenance and repair contract

If you use your generator often, it'll need regular repairs and check-ups. Many companies let you enroll in a plan, giving you monthly, yearly or bi-yearly maintenance, repair and part replacement for the cost of the plan. This type of service is available from most business-focused generator maintenance services, but may not be available to customers with residential generators. Enrolling in a service like this means that repairs are taken care of quickly and painlessly during an emergency, and lessens the chance that your generator will fail you in the first place.

I recommend: Purchase a maintenance and repair contract from Alternative Power Sources, or Steiner Electric Company.

Use generator repair services that can repair all types and brands

Ideally, your generator services should come from a company that specializes in installing and repairing generators instead of a general repair shop or electrician. Specialized generator repair services are more likely to stock needed generator repair parts, respond to emergency calls during non-business hours and have experience with a wider range of types and manufacturers of generators.

I recommend: Get generator repairs on any model from Emergency Systems, or IVS Motors.

Choose a generator repair service that has testing and repair facilities for industrial generators

Every couple years, you should invest in a complete overhaul and repair of your industrial generator. When working with industrial generators, this can be difficult to accomplish due to the machine's size and complexity. A service's test facilities allows it to easily preform generator repairs and tests on fuel samples and cooling systems, and adjust and set up load sharing. These services are essential to businesses that rely on generators to kick in during an emergency.

I recommend: Let Gen-tech repair and overhaul your generator at its on-site facilities, or leave your generator in the hands of Womble Generator's service center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always ask your generator repair service how many technicians they generally have on call at any given moment. This can help you determine how quickly they could repair your generator in an emergency, when most repair services cover a high volume of customers. Some companies keep extra staff in reserve for emergency situations, while others are less flexible.

There's no doubt about it — your business needs a generator repair service. Work was humming along, then suddenly came to a halt. Your generator crashed. Now work can't continue...and you're losing money until your generator gets running again.

When job and money is on the line, you need your generator fixed quickly and correctly the first time. Your business needs a professional generator repair shop. But before you choose one, considering the following:

1. Does your machine need general repair or generator maintenance services?

2. Does it need specialized generator repair?

3. Can an employee manage the generator repairs with the proper parts?

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Pick pros for maintenance and general generator repair

The most important time- and money-saving thing you can do with any generator is to keep up its maintenance. However, even with terrific maintenance, there may be times you need repairs. When it comes to either maintenance or repair, it's usually best to hire a professional. Look for companies that carry manufacturer parts and who back up their work with a guarantee.

I recommend: Continental Engine, Inc. offers generator repair service (including mobile repairs), carefully complying with manufacturer specifications; they do diesel, gas and electric generator repair. Bay Diesel & Generator supplies diesel generator repair and maintenance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Power Source Equipment Co. provides gas generator repair services on many makes of generators.

Select services for specialized generator repair

Some generator services companies specialize in particular aspects of their trade. If you know you need work done in their specialized area, who better to call upon?

I recommend: Edison ESI does general repairs on generators, but specializes in medium voltage (2300V and above), motor rewinds and reconditioning. National Electric Coil specializes in rewinds, including those done in the field. AGT Services Inc. specializes in electrical troubleshooting, field rewinds, stator core repairs and high-voltage bushing replacement and manufacturing.

Finding generator repair parts

If you have qualified employees (with electrical licenses), generator maintenance and repair may be tackled by those individuals. The key, however, is they must be qualified. There's little point in having an unqualified person repair an expensive generator only to have the work done incorrectly, necessitating spending more time and money on a professional repair. That said, there are plenty of places to buy authorized generator parts.

I recommend: Energy Systems has an inventory of more than $1 million in parts for Generac generators. Parker Power carries parts for a variety of generators, including Yamaha, Coleman, Kawasaki, Onan and others. GoPower.com has a vast selection of parts for industrial diesel generators.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Just as oil and filter changes are an important part of taking care of your vehicles, they are vital to generator maintenance. Fan belts should also be examined for cracks; they usually need replacing every few years, depending upon extent of use.

If your company's generator breaks down during an emergency, you'll need quick and efficient generator repair services. Industries like data centers and medical facilities need reliable power to operate during an emergency and can't afford to be stranded without. Although proper maintenance can reduce the risk of generator failure, there are times when a generator repair service is essential.

Generator repair services generally provide both repair and maintenance. Proper generator maintenance can not only reduce the risk of generator failure, but also allows you to identify generator parts that need repair or replacement. This way, you can schedule generator repairs during a time that the generator is not in use.

1. Not all generator repair services fix all types of generators. Always ask if the service fixes your type of generator, whether it's gas, electric or portable.

2. Ask your generator repair service if it carries common replacement parts, as this can reduce generator downtime and improve care.

3. Generator manufacturers sometimes offer free repair service if your model is still under warranty.

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Call a generator repair service for generators in the home or small business

If you own a small business or work from home, chances are your generator repair is for a small, residential unit. These are usually electric or gas powered, and can be repaired by just about any machine shop, generator maintenance or generator repair shop. When calling for generator repair, make sure you mention whether you need portable generator repair, gas generator repair or electric generator repair. In some cases, licensed electricians offer electric generator repair services.

I recommend: Get repairs for residential generators from Electrical Power Systems, or learn more about them by reading the Home Generator Guide.

Find industrial generator maintenance services and repair for large businesses

For larger companies that rely on industrial generators, a company that knows generator repair services basics just won't do. You need a company that provides a comprehensive generator service contract, including regular, scheduled maintenance and repairs. Industrial generator repair companies specialize in generator repair and installation. They can help you create a comprehensive generator service plan.

I recommend: Get industrial generator repair from Industrial Controls or Scott's Emergency Lighting and Power Generation.

Get 24-hour emergency generator repair service

If your business provides essential services like communications, emergency service or medical services, you need 24-hour generator services. While most generator repair services keep standard business hours, some companies can't afford to wait even a day to get power back up and running. Some repair services offer 24-hour technician support, so you can call at any time of day and receive immediate service. This type of support can be part of a contracted maintenance and service plan, or just a repair shop with 24-hour repairs.

I recommend: Get 24-hour emergency repair from Brehob, or check out Independent Electric Machinery Company's anytime service.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't put off replacing or repairing a part during generator maintenance services. Delaying needed repairs can result in extended generator downtime, failure during emergencies and more expensive expedited repairs. Replacement of parts and repairs can be easily scheduled around peak usage.

A generator system, while utilized by many businesses and homes, is a complex device that requires routine maintenance and repair, as well as a specialized vocabulary. Although generators can be useful in meeting everyday or back up power needs efficiently and consistently, different types of generators have distinct service needs. Furthermore, a basic knowledge of generator types and uses, parts of a generator, repair practices and service routines can help reduce the need for major repairs and make sure that generator systems stay running reliably.

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Generator system

A generator system describes the generator motor and all of its components, and typically refers to a large-scale power generator used by a factory or in another industrial setting. The generator system includes the motor or turbine, fuel or input, cooling components and others, any of which may need repair or maintenance.

I recommend: Read a concise definition of a generator system, or genset, from ERS Cooling Systems.

DC generator

A DC generator is a high-powered electric generator that involves the use of an electromagnet to produce power. DC stands for direct current, as opposed to AC, or alternating current. These types of generators require the use of a number of parts, including a magnet and an alternator, any of which may malfunction and require repair.

I recommend: Polar Power details the features of a DC generator, and also compares DC generators side-by-side with AC generators, which do not use an alternator.

Residential generator

A residential generator is a smaller capacity generator designed for use in non-industrial settings like office buildings, schools or homes. A residential generator may be fixed in location or portable, and may operate on natural gas or propane, like an industrial generator, or battery power for lower voltage levels. A residential generator can often be quickly repaired on site or shipped in for factory repair.

I recommend: Read more about residential generator functions and operations from Cummins Onan.

Voltage regulator

The voltage regulator is a device present on generators that controls the voltage flowing through a generator and allows monitoring for proper generator operation. If your generator is overheating, the voltage regulator is likely in need of repair or replacement.

I recommend: Optimum Power Services provides a brief definition of the voltage regulator, and Erlich Industrial Development offers a more technical definition and diagram.

Brush

The brush is a generator component that acts as a conductor and maintains contact between static and moving parts in the generator motor. Generators may involve the use of two or three brushes, with three-brush generators often referred to as third brush generators.

I recommend: Briggs & Stratton provides a definition of the brush in their glossary of generator terms.

Overhaul

An engine overhaul is the most extreme type of generator repair, and requires that a generator be dismantled, faulty or broken parts replaced, reassembled and reinstalled on site. An overhaul usually takes place in the factory, and any parts that are repaired or replaced in an overhaul must meet factory new standards.

I recommend: Read more about what an overhaul entails from Teledyne Mattituck Services.