Wet Stacking and How to Eliminate it

No matter the industry, it’s important to safeguard your commercial genset's well-being. You want to maintain your industrial generator so it's ready to meet your needs.

When left unattended for lengthy periods of time or not run at high enough loads, a backup diesel generator can fall victim to wet stacking. Here are tips for determining if wet stacking is happening in your generator and what you can do about it.

Wet Stacking 101

Wet stacking is a condition that occurs when unused diesel fuel, moisture, and carbon particles gather in an exhaust system. This can happen for a few reasons but usually results from diesel fuel not being properly burned off during use. As a result, a dark muddy liquid congeals in the generator’s exhaust stacks — hence the term wet stacking.

What Causes Wet Stacking?
Wet stacking can occur because of several issues. However, the primary reasons are:

Wet stacking is hazardous to genset injectors, exhaust valves, and other functional features. When left untreated, wet stacking can inhibit the performance of your generator as well as significantly reduce its lifespan.

How Can I Fix Wet Stacking?

Fortunately, there are ways to address wet stacking before it requires extensive maintenance. Avoid It Entirely. It’s worth mentioning that wet stacking is avoidable by following two simple rules: run your generator for a few minutes once a week, and make sure a qualified technician services your genset at regular intervals.

Run Your Genset for a Bit

If you discover wet stacking within your unit early enough, you can fix it by running your generator at its properly designated operating temperature with a 75 percent load.

Trust the Pros with Years of Experience

Your best bet when combating the ill effects of wet stacking is to contact a professional who can accurately assess your generator needs.
 
When your generator is a victim of wet stacking or any number of potential genset issues, contact Generator Source and let one of our skilled technicians make sure your generator is running, and will continue running, at peak performance.

Story Summary
 
What is wet stacking?
Wet stacking is a condition that occurs in diesel generators when unburned fuel, carbon particles, and moisture accumulate in the exhaust system. It typically happens when generators run at light loads or low temperatures for extended periods.

What causes wet stacking?
Common causes include:

How can wet stacking be prevented?
Prevention methods include:

How is wet stacking fixed?
For early stages:

What are the consequences of ignoring wet stacking?
If left untreated, wet stacking can lead to: