Keeping Your Generator Ready in Colorado’s Extreme Environment

1. The Altitude Factor: Combating “Thin Air”

At 5,000+ feet, the reduced air density directly impacts the combustion process of diesel and natural gas engines. This leads to a phenomenon known as Derating.

• Output Efficiency: Diesel generators typically lose 2-3% of their rated power for every 1,000 feet above sea level. For a 1,000kW unit in Denver, this can mean a significant drop in available emergency power if not properly calibrated.
• Air-to-Fuel Ratio: Thinner air often results in “rich” combustion, which can lead to increased soot and carbon buildup. We prioritize high-frequency Air Filter Inspections and turbocharger health checks to ensure your 500kW or 1,500kW units maintain peak efficiency.
• Cooling Challenges: Lower air density is less effective at dissipating heat. Our Colorado maintenance plans include enhanced radiator cleaning and coolant pH balancing to prevent overheating during high-load summer runs.

2. Winterization: Ensuring “First-Start” Reliability

Colorado winters are the ultimate test for standby power. A generator that fails to start at -10°F is a liability, not an asset.

• Block & Jacket Water Heaters: We verify that your heaters are maintaining a constant internal temperature. For 2,000kW industrial units, this is critical for instant load acceptance.
• Fuel Gelling Prevention: Diesel fuel “gels” in extreme cold, clogging filters and stalling engines. We treat fuel with specialized anti-gel additives and monitor the “Cloud Point” to ensure your fuel remains liquid and flowable.
• Cold-Weather Lubricants: We recommend and utilize synthetic low-viscosity oils (such as SAE 5W-30) specifically designed to flow in sub-zero temperatures, reducing wear on the engine during those first few critical seconds of a cold start.
• Battery Vitality: Cold weather can sap up to 50% of a battery’s cranking power. We perform conductance testing and install thermostatically controlled battery warmers to ensure your 300kW unit has the “punch” it needs to turn over.

3. Load Bank Testing & Wet Stacking Prevention

Because Colorado generators often run in cold environments, they are highly susceptible to Wet Stacking, a condition where unburnt fuel accumulates in the exhaust system due to low operating temperatures.

Why it matters: Wet stacking reduces engine life and can become a fire hazard.

Our Colorado-specific service includes annual Load Bank Testing. By running your generator at 80% to 100% capacity for a sustained period, we burn off carbon deposits and verify that your system can actually handle its rated 1,000kW or 1,500kW load during a real-world outage.

4. Colorado Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

We help you navigate the specific regulatory landscape of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

• APEN Reporting: We assist in tracking run-times and emissions for Air Pollutant Emission Notices (APENs).
• Hazardous Waste: Proper disposal of used oil, coolant, and lead-acid batteries is handled in strict accordance with Colorado’s hazardous waste regulations.
• Record Keeping: We provide digital “Action Logs” that satisfy both manufacturer warranties and local environmental audits.