Power Tech Generator problem

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Power Tech Generator problem

June 29, 2016, 01:46:39 pm

I have found Dave's posting from 7 years ago Power Tech 8KW Generator problem/repair and going to see if it can guide me some to discover and solve my problem.
Our Power Tech in our 03 295 starts and runs for about 2 hours and runs two over head AC without any issues. However it is almost like a clock work after about almost 2 hours it shuts off. Let it be for about 5-30 min and it starts and runs again without any issues.
Air filter is clean. Unit has about 600 hours. All filters but the "gray" painted filter appears to be relatively new.
We have done and got done quite a bit of stuff to new to us 03 295 but have not done anything only to generator yet. Coach was at FT coupe of months ago and at the time from the looks of the oil etc we decided we will let it go for another 50 or so hours until oil & filter change.
We are heading south for 4th and I was hoping it will work during the trip. So for now it is acting up every two hours.
What are the some easy and obvious things to check and eliminate ... before ordering a new board and all that?
Thank you,
AL

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #1 – June 29, 2016, 02:12:18 pm

Quote from: propman – June 29, 2016, 01:46:39 pm

However it is almost like a clock work after about almost 2 hours it shuts off. Let it be for about 5-30 min and it starts and runs again without any issues.

When you say, "starts and runs again without any issues", do you mean it will run all day, or does the same thing happen again?

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #2 – June 29, 2016, 02:32:41 pm

Believe there's an overheating cut off that can go bad. Could also be trying to overheat although with that few hours your water pump and thermostat should be good. Make sure fan is working , maybe run it parked and set up lawn chair near gen at two hour mark. Could be something associated with fan when warm

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #3 – June 29, 2016, 03:42:30 pm

I have a short attention span, wonder if the OP got the lawn chair (good suggestion) out and with a few cold ones, could tell us what's going on. ?

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #4 – June 29, 2016, 05:04:41 pm

It is probably not your problem but if the grey painted filter is an original filter I think I would change it soon.Some of the other posters can chime in but are there any filter makers out there using grey paint,are there any markings on it?Check your local
Lowes,ours had the temp guns for$20,its a good tool to have,can check the overheating with it.After the first 2 hours running
does the 2 hour cycle keep repeating?If you could look at your wiring diagram and find the wire to the temp shutdown and disconnect it and monitor the temp.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #5 – June 29, 2016, 06:04:31 pm

It runs 2 hours at a time, as best i can tell.
True test be this coming Friday while driving 320 miles.
I will exit as soon as if the Gen shuts. Inside the coach, the red generator fault light will come on. I will open the front Generator door to be able to access and toggle the on/off switch on the Generator (this can not be done from inside), it will make the red fault light go off. I will restart and run it again as long as it runs.
Since we purchased it last November, I did not have much of a need to run it but just for an hour or so. I only tested it and then used it for 15-20 min at a time. But when i run it, it would not stay on as best i can tell no more than 2 hours.
Then few weeks ago, it was hot and I try to run the gen. It was white Smoke and it would not stay running more than few min. Well that tuned out to be the loose top insulation. It was blocking the "snorkel" looking breathing tube. I got rid of the insulation, cleaned everything out, removed and blow out the air filter, and boom the Gen started again and run just fine. But at that time I did not run it but maybe an hour or so, as it was parked at the house.
Now, last week it was hot in the afternoon, and I was heading down to Fort Worth to take my "B" license driving test. Gen run just fine for about 2 hours .... but Murphy law, just as soon as the testing agent walked in to the coach, right after doing the parallel parking and all that and before we exit the parking lot at 2:30 pm to drive around in fine Fort Worth, TX traffic the gen shut off ... so we drove around with dash air only ... it was ok, but never the less She failed me

. she did not like what and how I got through the round about ..... I don't agree but anyway ...
Rescheduled the driving test. Second try for yesterday at 4 pm. Same fine Fort Worth, TX location & same bad traffic and all the bed drivers. But a nice guy to perform the testing

I passed the test and now I am legal with my BM driver license to drive 26000+lbs while towing a 10000 lbs.

Anyway, Generator did the very same thing it did last week. I started it at about 2:15 PM, run both over head AC units, got there at 3:45. Tester walked in at about 4:05 PM and boom! the Generator shut off

So we drove around, concluded the driving test about 4:40 PM. I got home about 5:35 PM and started the Generator at that time, run it for about 10-20 min and I shut it off.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #6 – June 29, 2016, 06:24:59 pm

propman,

Does your generator have a Dynagen ES52 controller? (they make several models other than this, yours could be as new as the GT 350 but it still will give you some info) When you go out and reset the generator look around and see if there are some indicator lights (6) in a row some where on the generator control panel. If one is lit that should give you a direction to go to narrow down the problem. Here is a link to an instruction manual for a ES52 if that is what you have. If you have another type controller this may help someone else out. http://www.dynagen.ca/sites/default/files/Support%20Files/MAN-0001R3.0%2C%20ES52%20User%20Manual.pdf

Pamela & Mike

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #7 – June 29, 2016, 06:59:34 pm

If I had that same issue, the first thing I would be checking is the "Other" fuel filter, the one between the generator and the front bulkhead (tank), you need to crawl under and look behind the generator, it takes the Racor R12T.
That same description has shown up a few times, resolved by changing the filter.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #8 – June 30, 2016, 01:24:23 am

Generator fan over its radiator works, no problem.
It maybe ES52 controller but I am not sure.
I have a temp gun in my tool box & will utilize it on the road Friday.
The Power Tech Ultimate Operators Manual that came with the coach is for 8000 Watt KSI, 10000 Watt KSI & KRR and 12000 Watt KSI & KRR. In the book there is a diagram for "ES52F Auto Start System For Foretravel Motor Homes" and also another diagram for "ES52F Auto Start System With Latching Relay"

I have no way to get the Engine Serial number for the Generator, unless i pull it out to get to the other side of where the serial number should be. I do see a stamped number (M-1505) I think that is the Model number. On the Power Tech web site I found this Filter for part number 01FO05S which is the filter part number that is on a sticker on my Generator. I just don't know how to find this oil filter locally ( I will call a Kubota dealer somewhat close to us and see if i can get it in the morning.
I think i want to drain its oil and do a quick oil change Thursday afternoon. I want to change the fuel filter too that Dave M mentioned but I am a bit timid about that ... I wonder anyone here have the same Generator and have changed these filters themselves? I am timid to do it myself because of a past experience. On my old U225 once they charged the fuel filter for the Cummins engine and done something wrong ... that they had to let air out by loosening one of the injectors to the get the engine running again (at FT last year)
I have done many oil & filter changes on various vehicles over the years so i can do it but I would love to know if there are any tips and tricks for the Power Tech Generator fuel filter change, particularly the fuel filter change.
I can't even find any information for the silver filter at all anywhere. You will see in the pictures with Japaneses writings on it.
I'll e-mail FT to see if they can give me some part numbers and if i can find the filters locally Thursday before we drive out of town Friday. I am attaching few pictures of my generator.

Is this the fuel filter Killer Filter 104-1214 Filter Element Replacement for RACOR R12T, 30 micron absolute

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #9 – June 30, 2016, 04:44:37 am

Fuel filter;
BB #3970860
NAPA #3390
Powertech #08FF081
Kubota #70000-43081

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #10 – June 30, 2016, 05:28:40 am

Don't forget the other filter (look for one with a clear bowl underneath near the front axle. I think it's the same filter number the AquaHot uses but verify first.)

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #11 – June 30, 2016, 06:56:45 am

This is the one most often missed, the Racor R12T. Would change both filters, the looks of the outside does not indicate the inside condition.

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=28512.0;attach=42441;image

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #12 – June 30, 2016, 11:53:12 am

Thank you! all for your help
I think i found all the filters from NAPA. going to pick them up shortly.
I just have one question about changing the R12T fuel filter, well both fuel filters. Do i need to do anything special? Shut of a valve somewhere?
I am sure there will be fuel in the line so as soon as i unscrew the filter, fuel will run out all over ... My biggest concern is letting air get in and making it difficult to start the generator ... will have to bleed the trapped air?
Thank you,
AL

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #13 – June 30, 2016, 12:02:21 pm

Al, when I replaced both of mine I did not have more than a few ounces of fuel lost and did the change really quick. Engine started up right away with no bleeding needed.. The electric pump on the fuel line filled the lines fast. Should be ok.
JohnH

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #14 – June 30, 2016, 12:28:47 pm

Al, I don't know anything about your generator, but I know from previous posts that on some coaches it could be a temperature sensor that is not expensive and easy to replace. Usually discovered after replacing water pumps, filters, and such.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #15 – June 30, 2016, 01:05:06 pm

I also found this Air lock in generator cooling system
I need to makes sure few more things .... off I go to deal with this now

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #16 – June 30, 2016, 06:38:12 pm

Some years ago, my generator stopped running. It turns out it was because cooling fan was not running, so the engine got an overheat fault. The reason the cooling fan was not running was that the generator was not producing electricity due to a broken winding.

But that is neither here nor there. Back tho the topic at hand:

When the reinstalled the generator, all appeared to be well and good until I drove out with the generator running. Two blocks down the road, right after I made a tight turn down a hill, the generator stopped. Now the fun began.

First they thought it was an air bubble in the cooling system. The burped it, and the generator appeared to be fine until I rounded that corner.

Then they thought I was using too light of engine oil and was losing oil pressure, so they changed the oil. Again all appeared fine until I rounded that corner.

So they changed the oil pressure with. Again all appeared find until I rounded that corner.

They thought it was the over temp sensor, so they changed that. Again all appeared find until I rounded that corner.

They were at their wits end (and this was an authorized service center). While they were thinking of what else to try (they were out of ideas), I opened the Foretravel schematics and found a coolant level float switch in the coolant recovery tank wired with the over temp sensor. They swapped that float switch out, and all has been fine ever since.

I hope this helps.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #17 – June 30, 2016, 09:25:02 pm

So are we to assume that none of the idiot lights are lite after it shuts down? Such as the low oil, or over temp? If neither, then we need to start looking at a fuel problem, such as after 2 hrs of running the electric pump decides to shut down.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #18 – July 01, 2016, 01:29:17 am

"none of the idiot lights are lite after it shuts down? " Correct no help from idiot lights.
Today I changed oil, oil filter and the water separator fuel filter "near the front axle".
I was not able to change the on board (gray) fuel filter, I did remove it but the fuel filter from NAPA part number 3390 does not fit, it wants to fit, but i could not get it on. Center of the (NAPA 3390) is slightly pushed in compare to the "silver" one i removed. There is nothing on that silver filter that i can use to find another one, unless i can find someone that can read Japanese.
I don't know how old the filters were but oil had to be changed.
I also checked the coolant (red) and it all looked good and full.
In the morning we are heading out of town for about 320 miles on a hot Texas day. I am hopping it will run .... I will update at the end of the day.

@Tom "rounded that corner" :-) :-) :-)
"coolant level float switch in the coolant recovery tank wired with the over temp sensor" Good to know. Thank you!

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #19 – July 01, 2016, 06:52:01 am

I wonder if the circuit board has a problem where after 2 hrs of running it decided to shut down.

I am not sure how auto start works but I wonder if it is shutting the generator down.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #20 – July 01, 2016, 07:56:55 am

A replacement fuel filter should be available from a Kubota dealer (tractor or marine-- we have a 4 cylinder Kubota in the sailboat). Best to have your engine serial number.

A little surprised that there is no PN on that filter.

Other alternative is to contact Power Tech.

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #21 – July 01, 2016, 12:55:50 pm

Hello Al,
Your filters look like the setup on my generator.
I used the NAPA 3390 for the Fuel Filter shown in photo.
After installing I used the "Banjo Bolt" shown in the other photo to bleed air out while
using start switch located in Generator compartment.
Hope that helps--Jim

Re: Power Tech Generator problem

Reply #22 – July 01, 2016, 10:59:44 pm

Jim,
Your Generator looks identical as mine but I could not install the NAPA 3390 fuel filter.

Good news all :-) We run the Generator and both over head ACs from Keller, TX to Galveston today for 320 mil & it worked great. So "changed oil, oil filter and the water separator fuel filter "near the front axle"." did the trick.
I still want to change the on board fuel filter as soon as possible.
Thank you all for your concern & assistance.
AL

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