I think I have my monthly generator test routine down pretty good now. I use the calendar in my cell phone to remind me to check it every second Sunday of the month
I open the doors, remove the radiator cap, and feed the tube for my antifreeze hydrometer into the radiator to check antifreeze content and level. Next I remove the dipstick to check the oil level which reads almost a quart high but I know I put in the prescribed amount when I did the oil change. After that I connect my load bank and reconnect the bonding strap for the ground. Then I start the engine, holding it in start position until it has oil pressure. Next I look at the meter that I installed for voltage and Hertz to make sure it's reading. After verifying that it starts and runs properly I open both doors and look for any leaks or anything out of the ordinary. Then I close it back up and let the unit warm up. After the gauge indicates the engine is at operating temperature I will apply a small load. I will increase load amounts in progression up to the maximum 52 amps, then back it down to 40 and let it run a couple of hours. Then I remove load in progression until it has none, allowing it to cool, and finally shutting it down. After the test I will open the doors and perform another visual inspection. I finish up by topping off the fuel, disconnecting bonding strap, and load bank. I do not connect the auxiliary fuel system on every test. I may include that every so often.
After getting my machine sorted out it has never failed any of the above tests. Therefore I see no reason to run it for long runs or days at the time for testing.
I open the doors, remove the radiator cap, and feed the tube for my antifreeze hydrometer into the radiator to check antifreeze content and level. Next I remove the dipstick to check the oil level which reads almost a quart high but I know I put in the prescribed amount when I did the oil change. After that I connect my load bank and reconnect the bonding strap for the ground. Then I start the engine, holding it in start position until it has oil pressure. Next I look at the meter that I installed for voltage and Hertz to make sure it's reading. After verifying that it starts and runs properly I open both doors and look for any leaks or anything out of the ordinary. Then I close it back up and let the unit warm up. After the gauge indicates the engine is at operating temperature I will apply a small load. I will increase load amounts in progression up to the maximum 52 amps, then back it down to 40 and let it run a couple of hours. Then I remove load in progression until it has none, allowing it to cool, and finally shutting it down. After the test I will open the doors and perform another visual inspection. I finish up by topping off the fuel, disconnecting bonding strap, and load bank. I do not connect the auxiliary fuel system on every test. I may include that every so often.
After getting my machine sorted out it has never failed any of the above tests. Therefore I see no reason to run it for long runs or days at the time for testing.
