Good Morning,
Attending my first Scca Runoffs event at Virginia International Raceway this week, I've had a generator shut off due to overheating of water temp. Narrowed down that the radiator fan isn't coming on, we'll it will start turning for maybe 5 minutes then stops. Soon after the water temps rise, puke out of radiator cap hose.
Looks like to me possibly the run capacitor, but haven't had any luck locating the capacitor.
Remote radiator with electric squirrel cage fan exiting thru radiatorto passenger wheel well.
The fan will manually spin with fingers pushing, but to me has some resistance. Thinking eventureplace the fan, but want to try replacing the capacitor first if I can locate it.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
David
David, I have seen the capacitor mounted on the fan cage on the back side. Would need a mirror to see it.
If true, mount new one on front side where you can easily access it.
David they mounted the start capacitor on the back side of the fan housing. The wires are long enough to relocate to were it can be reached. If it starts thou it sounds like it may be old but still functioning. I always recommend changing the start capacitors every ten years on everything. They originally dont come with wire boots and I installed during relocation to prevent shock. Be careful not to get shocked while searching for it. If it is difficult to turn there may be a problem. Typically your problem sounds like you have an air entrapment issue. Check fluid level. There are good posts on how to bleed the system.
I recently did a total rebuild of all things Gen. I found my capacitor mounted behind the top water hose for the radiator between the radiator and the main housing of the gen. If I laid on my back under the gen, top left area, the gap between the Gen housing and the radiator housing It can be found mounted against radiator side. It had quite a long lead on it so I installed the new one on the flat panel just above the radiator ( the wall between the front tire and rad) Here is the one I ordered and works great, so cheap bought 2.
Must have been one of those things installed on a late friday or early monday when the coach was being built.
15 uF 6% 370V/440V Oval Run Start Capacitor for AC Motor Run or Fan Start... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R2KLNLZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
Don't have that style but if his fan is not coming on don't think it is air in the system.
I had a similar problem several years ago. Turned out to be a problem with the voltage regulator.
Update,
Thank goodness it was cool this past weekend.
Replaced capacitor, no change. Electric fan "smells hot" and squirrel cage fan becomes more difficult to spin.. will remove and test on the bench.
David
Much distress removing fan from motor shaft..... maybe a hour of beating, smacking even buying a fancy puller,finally Called a HVAC friend. after he explained the importance of cleaning/ wire brushing shaft before pushing shaft out of the fan, it all made sense. 24 years of accumulated crud on the motor shaft it was causing friction that would stop a freight train. Cleaned,wire brushed it smooth, the fan practically fell off.
Now to source correct fan motor.
David
You might try Grainger supply for the motor
Update...
Removed radiator, squirrel cage and accompanying electric motor.....
Vapor blasted, repainted all of cage.
Learned that when removing fan from motor shaft, one must push fan down shaft, sand shaft before lifting to trying to separate. Found a used motor on eBay for $50 bucks, installed, put it all back together..... to the realization that it's bearings are making noise .... Hindsight being 20/20 ..... as a good friend noted that I cut the wrong corner buying a used motor...... Grrrrrr....... May rebuild the original, to have handy when the bearing noise becomes unbearable......
One more item on this beast that I completely understand how it's put together......
Grrrrrr.......
Crashed on second lap of first runoffs, clipped a non-stationary spun car ...... tough weekend it was.....
David
David, I may be having the same problem as you. I'm trying a new capacitor 1st but if that's not it I may need a new motor also. I know you purchased a used motor but do you have a part number for a new one?
Thanks.
Here are the part numbers for motor and capacitor from when I replaced ours.
Bought at FOT.
Call and make sure they will work for your application.
Also check Grainger since they sell Dayton
I had a similar problem and it was just related to a air bubble in the cooling system. It takes a while to bleed the remote radiator. The fan issue is a separate thing and I don't think it's related to your start capacitor. But as Rudy said in the beginning make sure you relocate your start capacitor to the front of the squirrel cage and be careful about the expose wires.
The other thing to make sure is that the breaker for the squirrel cage fan isn't tripped.