When your commercial generator malfunctions, the impact on your business can be immediate and costly. Without in-house expertise to pinpoint the problem, the next crucial step is hiring a qualified external contractor. But what qualifications should you look for to ensure effective diagnostics and repairs?
In this article, we’ll explore the essential skills and resources a contractor must have, including:
- Experience with your specific brand and generator model
- Access to the necessary equipment for comprehensive servicing
- Adequate resources and protections to ensure a swift and effective resolution
Ready to find the perfect contractor for your commercial generator repairs? Let’s dive into what you need to know to make an informed choice.
If you need a contractor who can diagnose and repair commercial generators in Kentucky, we can help.
Since 1946, Elliot Services has been a trusted provider of commercial generator repairs, replacements, and new installations throughout Kentucky. Our licensed, insured, and expertly trained electricians know their way around all fuel types and brands of generators, no matter the age or condition.
Contractor Experience: Factors to Consider
First and foremost, a commercial or industrial generator repair requires a contractor with the right electrical and engineering experience. That sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be shocked by how many contractors offer commercial generator repairs that don’t have that experience to fall back on.
General electrical and engineering experience is only the start. You’ll also want to find a contractor with experience working with the brand, model, and type of generator you own. This is where you’ll want to focus your attention the most, so let’s go a bit deeper into this topic.
Experience with your generator brand
Over a dozen companies in the U.S. and abroad manufacture commercial and industrial generators for use in a variety of applications, from backups in the event of an emergency grid outage to energy scalability and power storage.
Some popular commercial generator brands include Caterpillar, Inc., Generac Power Systems, Cummins, Inc., Kohler Co., MTU Onsite Energy, Atlas Copco, Yanmar Energy Systems, and John Deere.
Not every commercial generator and electrical contractor repairs all types of brands. Ask your contractor whether they have the manuals, spare parts, and experience handling your brand of generator before scheduling a diagnostic.
Experience with your generator fuel type
Large commercial generators come in a variety of fuel types. You will absolutely want a contractor who specializes in generators of your fuel type.
- Diesel Generators: Diesel generators are widely used in industrial applications due to their fuel efficiency and durability. They are suitable for standby power and continuous use.
- Natural Gas Generators: Natural gas generators are popular for their clean and efficient operation. They are often used in locations with a natural gas supply and are suitable for both standby and prime power applications.
- Bi-Fuel Generators: Bi-fuel generators can operate on a combination of diesel and natural gas. This type of generator offers flexibility in fuel options, providing cost savings and emissions reduction benefits.
- Propane Generators: Propane generators are commonly used in areas where propane is readily available. They are known for their clean combustion and ease of storage.
- Gasoline Generators: Gasoline generators are versatile and commonly used for smaller commercial applications or as portable generators. They are less common in larger industrial settings due to factors like fuel storage considerations.
Contractor Equipment: Factors to Consider
A commercial contractor specializing in commercial generator repairs requires a variety of specialized tools and equipment to diagnose, maintain, and repair generators efficiently. Any commercial contractor you work with should have, at the very minimum:
- Diagnostic Tools: This includes 1) multimeters for measuring voltage, current, and resistance; 2) infrared thermometers to identify hotspots or temperature irregularities; and 3) computer and software diagnostic tools (along with service manuals and technical documentation) to quickly identify issues.
- Fuel System Tools: Fuel pressure gauges to measure and diagnose fuel system issues and fuel injector testers to identify potential issues with a generator’s fuel injector.
- Load Bank: Load banks allow your contractor to simulate electrical loads to test the generator’s performance under various conditions.
- Spare Parts: A good contractor will keep an inventory of critical spare parts for a variety of generator brands and models.
- Safety Equipment: This includes personal protective equipment like gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection, as well as the necessary fire extinguishers and other items critical to the safety of the contractors working on the generator and everyone working on site.
Contractor Value: Factors to Consider
What is your contractor bringing to the table besides their experience and the equipment required to complete the repair? It’s a good question to ask any commercial generator repair specialist because it gives you a sense of value. After all, you’re paying good money for this repair. You ought to be given a great deal of value in return.
Let’s look at a few value-added factors to consider when looking into commercial generator contractors.
Service availability
If your generator suddenly goes offline and requires quick repair, you’ll want a contractor with 24/7 emergency service. But even if the contractor does offer this, you’ll want to consider how big of an operation it is. Plenty of contractors will offer after-hours service, but they may not have the resources or manpower to actually be there when you need them. So, it’s good to inquire into the contractor’s team size and the average time it takes to reach a client when an emergency strikes.
Warranties and protections
Does the contractor offer–at the bare minimum–a labor warranty that covers the repair for a period of at least 30 days and a part warranty if replacement parts are necessary. If they do not, it’s best to look elsewhere to ensure your peace of mind after the repairs are resolved.
Final Words of Wisdom from Your Friends at Elliot Services
Something conspicuously absent from this blog was a discussion about price. There’s a reason for this. If your starting point for a commercial generator repair near me is “what’s my most affordable option,” there’s a good chance you’ll get burned by an inexperienced contractor. Considering how critical an operational generator is in an emergency, you cannot risk hiring someone inexperienced to perform the repair.
Your Premier Commercial Generator Specialist in Kentucky
Elliot Services has been a trusted name in generator repairs in Kentucky since 1946. We test, maintain, and repair the most popular generator brands in the U.S. In addition, our inventory of generator parts is one of the largest in Kentucky, which guarantees a faster resolution to critical generator outages.
Our specialists are friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to assist you. So, if your generator requires repairs, call Elliot Services today.
