Servicing the Generator

system outside the building, and the arrangement of the exhaust system. Large generator units may have, connected or attached to them, engine equipment that requires extra space and working area. Included in this equipment are air-intake filters, silencers for air intake and exhaust, fuel and lubricating oil pumps, tanks, filters, and strainers. Also included are starting gear, isochronous regulating governors with over-speed trips, safety alarm and shutdown devices, gauges and thermometers, turning gear, along with platforms, stairs, and railings. An even larger and more complete power plant may require separate equipment, such as a motor-driven starting air compressor and air storage tanks; motor- driven pumps for jacket water and lubricating oil cooling, or heat exchangers with raw cooling water pumps and lubricating oil coolers; and tanks that include day-fuel storage. Be sure to provide enough working space around each unit for repairs or disassembly and for easy access to the generator control panels. Installation specifications are available in the manufacturer’s instruction manual that accompanies each unit. Be sure to use them. Consulting with the Builder about these specifications may help cut installation costs and solve future problems affecting the shelter of the generator. SERVICING THE GENERATOR Before the set is operated, it must be serviced. We will use the 60-kW generator set as an example for discussing the servicing of the set after you receive it. As you read this discussion, refer to figure 3-1 for locating fill and drain points and drain valves. Batteries All 5-kW through 750-kW generator sets are furnished with dry-charged batteries less the electrolyte. Battery electrolyte must be requisitioned separately. You must be cautious when installing, activating, or maintaining batteries. Before we discuss connecting WARNING Do not smoke or use an open flame in the vicinity of batteries when servicing them. Batteries generate hydrogen a highly explosive gas. When removing batteries, always remove both negative cables before removing the positive cables (fig. 3-2). Battery electrolyte contains sulfuric acid and can cause severe burns. It is highly toxic to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Skin, eyes, and face (chemical splash goggles, face shields) and respiratory protection are required. Whenever electrolyte comes into contact with the body, the eyes, or the clothing, you must rinse immediately with clean water, remove contaminated clothing, and then go to sickbay or the medical clinic for a thorough examination. The 60-kW generator set is equipped with two 12- volt, 100-ampere-hour batteries. The batteries are located under the radiator (fig. 3-1, view A) on aroll-out tray (fig. 3-3). They are connected in series to supply 24 volts dc for starting the generator set and operating direct current components. Two slave receptacles (fig. 3-2), connected in parallel, permit easy connection to the batteries to supply or obtain battery power. As we and servicing batteries, let’s look at a few safety points you must know about. Figure 3-2.—Battery cable connections and slave receptacles. 3-3