Diesel generator “wet stacking” or engine slobber is a costly and time consuming issue that data center operators must deal with. Most commonly found in generators run at 30% of capacity for extended periods of time, wet stacking is a buildup of unburned fuel in the exhaust system. The end result is reduced engine performance and potentially a shorter lifespan. The most common solution to wet stacking is to connect an external load bank, though that comes with added fuel costs and higher emissions.
A new white paper from Kohler Power Systems explains the feasibility and benefits of no-load exercising of diesel generators. The author first explains what wet stacking is and why it’s a critical issue for data centers. The paper explores the generator oversizing problem that data centers have and how load-bank testing can help avoid the wet stacking issue in the first place.
The paper also looks at how the latest diesel technology should drive generator operators to rethink their old maintenance assumptions. The author advocates for annual load testing and working with a service provider that will help you revise your maintenance schedules.