What Is the Lifespan of a Refurbished Generator?
When it comes to backup generators for commercial or industrial applications, there are a lot of questions that revolve around them. After all, you need to rely on these backup power systems to help keep your operations running, even in the event of a power outage. Generators come in different sizes and configurations, as well as additional options that are available when it comes to add-ons and accessories and to top it all off, they are inherently expensive due to the nature of these pieces of equipment.
A common question comes into focus when regarding used or refurbished generators, which is the longevity of these units. Unfortunately, this is a bit of a loaded question and there is no clear cut answer when it comes to the lifespan of a particular unit. While there are many broad and very general answers regarding the average lifespan, such as 10 to 20 years or more (if well maintained), there are a number of factors that come into play that can affect the overall lifespan of a used or refurbished generator.
Hours
When it comes to life expectancy of a used or refurbished generator, you can view them somewhat similarly to cars. When you review a used car for potential purchase, the first thing you look at is the mileage. In a similar vein, most buyers usually look at the hours on a generator before anything else. While this is not a direct correlation or key indicator to determine the longevity of a used or refurbished generator, it could be a good basis when evaluating a unit. Lower hours can generally mean that the generator has been seldom used and has not been running too often or for long durations over a period of time.
Age
Age and generator models can play a role as well. Though it may seem obvious, older generator models may have experienced general wear and tear over time, especially units that are exposed to the elements. It is important to also keep in mind if any major parts were replaced for the generator, as specific parts and components can wear down or degrade over time. While factory defects are a possibility, the enginer, alternator, fuel system, controller, or bearings are usually the most common suspects that can break down over time.
Maintenance
Generators, like cars, need to be regularly inspected and maintained, as well as serviced. This service is known as preventative maintenance or PM for short. Depending on how well a generator has been regularly serviced and maintained can also be a good indicator to what the condition of the generator will be like. Poorly maintained or neglected generators may be more prone to problems, especially if these units have not undergone load bank testing. Load bank testing helps exercise a generator, especially for those that aren’t used often, to ensure that it is running and performing to specifications. For diesel gensets, it can also help prevent wet stacking from occuring.
Location
As mentioned earlier, generators can experience regular wear and tear over time. If a generator was installed outside of a facility, this is even more true. Though the generator itself may be protected by a weatherproof enclosure to help shield it from the elements, the enclosure can experience extreme wear and possibly rust or corrosion over time that can expose the generator set to vulnerabilities such as rain, snow, or ice. The elements can negatively impact generator performance and overall condition that can shorten the lifespan of the generator.
Use
When considering a used or refurbished generator, it never hurts to see if the seller can disclose what the generator was used for or what systems they were backing up. While there may be some instances where there is an air of confidentiality, there are also instances where the seller can tell you exactly why they had a backup generator installed and what it was used for mainly, how often it ran, and could provide insights on the overall condition, maintenance, and performance of the generator.
While there are many other factors to consider when evaluating a used or refurbished generator, these are some of the major areas that should be considered when trying to determine the lifespan of a unit. If possible, try to see copies of service or maintenance work conducted on the unit. If you are purchasing a generator through a dealer, see if they may have received any service documents. Additionally, most dealers will perform inspections and service, including testing of a used generator before making it available for sale. Be sure to ask for any service records, PM work, or load bank test reports.
If you’re looking for more information, have questions, or looking for a used or refurbished, please reach out to us at Woodstock Power Company! We are industry experts in the used generator market and our units come fully inspected, serviced, and tested to ensure you’re good to go when the power goes out.
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THE WOODSTOCK POWER COMPANY EXPERIENCE
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