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Topic: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V (Read 1403 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #20 –
As a sort of prepper who lives in shaky town the diesel gens 300 hour plus run time may be of help someday.

The heated bays make the coach a true four season coach without mods

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #21 –
The coolant loss may not cover the temp sensor and thus provide a false temp reading  To the shut down trigger.

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #22 –
Thanks all, I was off line visiting with my son this weekend, sorry for the slow response.



Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #23 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
Jeff,

You need to check that radiator cap, as well as the generator temperature sensor.  Both should have protected the radiator.  Then what triggered the overheating?  Something else caused the overall failure.

Hi Amos, the welded flange broke off and the radiator cap stayed assembled. I posted a couple of pictures. Not sure why it overheated. We travelled with both AC units running, which we've never done before. We parked, shut the engine down, leveled and I got out to connect shore power when it blew. At the time I didn't realize that it was steam. I ran in the coach, shut the generator down and went back out with a fire extinguisher. I really thought my coach was on fire so I was almost relieved to open the gen bay and see the broken flange.

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #24 –
I spoke to Powertech about my generator radiator. Unfortunately they stopped making it 12 years ago. They have a replacement but it involves welding new brackets and re-routing hoses.

I sent the tech pictures and went over what happened. He said that I probably do not need a new radiator. He felt the weld broke, or the thermostat went bad and broke the weld.

I found an old school radiator shop locally that is willing to have a look.

After that is fixed I need to stop banging my head against the wall and decide which way to go with a fridge.....Amish cooling unit or residential fridge.

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #25 –
Can't tell by the picture whether it was soldered or brazed, but if you take it by a welding shop the flange for the cap can be put back on. If your lucky, they might can do it without pulling the radiator.

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #26 –
I was finally able to get this resolved at TN RV. Actually TN RV removed the radiator and sent it out. I wasn't able to find a shop locally that would touch it.

The hoses on the generator were probably original. When the coolant was drained it was black but it wasn't oil. It seems that the hoses were disintegrating from age and small pieces were ending up in the coolant, clogging the thermostat and radiator, causing the over-heat and the cap flange weld  to fail. It did not need a re-core.

Glad it is fixed.

Re: Our first 'breakdown'. Gen radiator blows and no 12V

Reply #27 –
What was the outcome of the electrical problem at the beginning of this post?