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Generator cooling fan ("squirrel cage")

April 05, 2018, 06:48:32 pm

I was reluctant to bring up yet another issue with the generator, but will do so since I think I've got it sorted out.  As mentioned earlier, I had a problem with generator not starting and a number of you shared your ideas, before the problem was solved.  After I got the generator started and it was running for a while, I decide to check the cooling fan and was surprised to see that it was not operating.  When this happens, the cooling fan circuit breaker, on the face of the control box, should have caused the generator to shut off or not start to begin with.  Was it the CB or the fan motor?
Since the fan motor runs on AC (115v) current, I disconnected the wiring to it at the junction box located above the fan radiator (mine is mounted vertically against the aft cabinet wall) and connected it to an old appliance cord then plugged it into an extension cord.  Fan worked, so I ordered the CB - a lot cheaper than a new fan motor.
I have several appliance cords that I've removed from old washing machines, etc.  They come in handy sometimes.

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Re: Generator cooling fan ("squirrel cage")

Reply #1 – April 06, 2018, 12:23:22 am

When the ac power quits so does the fan. The high temp shutoff will shut down the generator. That was one of my problems with the voltage regulator that would intermittently cut off power I wouldn't know until the generator shut off I had lost power.  I also found a much cheaper CB than Powertech sold online had to ream the hole out a little.. I don't know who I spoke to at Powertech that suggested I just put an inline five amp fuse in its place.

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Re: Generator cooling fan ("squirrel cage")

Reply #2 – April 06, 2018, 10:34:07 am

Power Tech was willing to sell me a CB for $49.  I found the same (OEM) one for $10 on Ebay.  Hopefully, this will solve the problem.  I ran the generator without the cooling fan before the high temp shut it down.

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Re: Generator cooling fan ("squirrel cage")

Reply #3 – April 11, 2018, 02:03:13 pm

Finally received the new cooling fan circuit breaker, but this has not helped.  As soon as I start up the unit, the CB pops out and the engine shuts down.  Fan didn't come  on. 
- Fuel tank full
- Coolant topped off
- Fan motor checks out
- Two 45A circuit breakers good
??
I hate to bring it to "the guy" to have it fixed and am open to ideas.  I've checked the archieves and didn't find anything I haven't already tried.  Hopefully someone here has been down this path.

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Re: Generator cooling fan ("squirrel cage")

Reply #4 – April 11, 2018, 02:16:17 pm

Loose connections up to the CB, loose neutral in the control box, ground?  If it's not a motor problem then the issue has to be on the generator side of the breaker. How many amps is the motor drawing on start up, your shore Power is much more stable than start up from the generator

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