I have the 10k, 4 cylinder and was wondering if you should open the side door below the drivers seat when operating in hot weather or the front hood? Does it get adequate air for the radiator with everything closed? Seems like it's really closed up.
Thanks
No, you don't have to open the doors. It's system is designed to work fine that way. It won't hurt to open the doors so long as there's no one around but the noise will be significantly higher.
If you are concerned or just wondering, this gauge is good for your generator's temperatures. If you have a belt, make sure it's snug. Better to have a instrument panel gauge but you can open the compartment and check.
Pierce
Ok. Just never heard anyone talk about it. My Bounder 2 cylinder liked the bin door open with no radiator.
Unless its crazy hot, I won't worry about it.
Thanks everyone
If it's real hot100+, I'll open the front and side, it helps. Although not necessary. It gets HOTTT in the generator compartment.
I've never never worried about it. It will shut down if the temp goes up much at all. The capacitor went out on the radiator blower motor causing a shutdown and when I went out to check it wasn't even hot enough to smell warm. All appeared normal except that the temp fault light was on.
And where was that capacitor located? I have an 01 320 and have been starting the blower motor by hand for a few weeks now. And you are correct the shutdown temp seems to be very conservative. I like that.
I also do not open any compartments for stationary operation. Thanks in advance, Brent
It should be somewhere around the squirrel cage motor.
Probably on the back side of the squirrel cage.
My opinion is like a car they typically are designed to run in hot temps when the systems are working correctly. Would it hurt to open a door, probably not, is it necessary, shouldn't be. If the generator is running hot there may be some other lying issues. I currently have SOB and it has a 12kw Powertech brushless generator in a quiet box, totally all enclosed in a metal box. I noticed my dash gauge was slowly creeping up from 180 to 200-205 degrees. I knew it was time to check things out. I have 5000 hours on the unit and definitely time for a look over. With that said it has never has shut down, and I have a high electric rate usuage with 3 AC's, house fridge and 2 inverters.
Being proactive I opened it up, found a few issues that were in need of replacement. Decided it was time to replace the head unit end bearing, to my surprise it was still decent, I thought it had a good quality SKF bearing, so I installed the same brand. I hear it probably lasted because the generator has had regular use, which is a good thing. My exhaust had a fiberglass wrap inside the box and had developed a crack next the radiator putting hot gas and black soot into my radiator, I went ahead and installed new water pump, thermostat and belt. Belt was about ready to go. I even went ahead and changed all the fuel lines. Had the radiator checked at a shop it was clean just washed out the fins.
Now the just of my long story. It now runs at 180 degrees. I believe with the cooling system working correctly a generator should be able to run 24/7 at its thermostat rating.
Redid mine a few years ago, replaced the rubber mounts,made a difference,especially when starting and stopping.
Just to clarify, it's not necessary to open any doors if the generator cooling system is working properly. Next time you have your generator running in 100+ weather after an hour or so go put your hand on the top of the control box, you'll see what I mean.
Yes. Seems they got it right on the design