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Powertech Generator Overhaul

June 30, 2021, 10:53:25 am

My Powertech generator runs well despite having 3500 hrs accumulated.

Has anybody done a complete overhaul of this generator unit (diesel engine and generator) himself or had it done in a service shop?

Does anyone have experience with the Powertech service shops here in the Pacific Northwest?

Regards

Klaus

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #1 – June 30, 2021, 11:00:32 am

Klaus,

Do you have any reason to suspect that it needs an overhaul.

Unless neglected or abused, those little industrial diesels can go a lot more hours than that.  Sure, may need a new end bearing and valve adjustment, but an overhaul would surprise me.

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #2 – June 30, 2021, 11:08:16 am

There is just one bearing on the end of the generator that should concern you. The generator is brushless. If the engine isn't using oil it can go up to 10,000 hours before rebuilds. I am assuming that the engine is a Kubota. If not have no idea of how long the Isuzu will go.

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #3 – June 30, 2021, 11:13:32 am

At 5K hours charge the end bushing but otherwise it is good to go up to 30k hours on the engine.

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Reply #4 – June 30, 2021, 12:56:29 pm

Oregon Motorcoach told us once of a traveling preacher ( prisons ) that came in to get his generator replaced.    40k on it and still running, I guess he was starting to get nervous about the hours. 
  40k times 40 mph average..... 1,600,000 miles.

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #5 – June 30, 2021, 01:05:44 pm

At 2000 plus hours, our Powertech puts out a very light blue smoke at 2000 feet, increasing with the altitude. The smoke has an unpleasant odor. Slight oil usage. The breather dumped oil deposits on the tray underneath but cured by routing the breather hose into the intake (old post with photos). Changed to synthetic oil. Smoke is less but still there. Starts almost instantly. Air cleaner, valve adjustment OK. Injection timing next.

While camping at June Lake (about 8000 feet altitude) last week, I noticed another PT generator with the same smoke and foul smell.

The smell is bad enough that I've had tent campers pound on the door. Now, with solar, we only used it for backup power for the house.

Pierce

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #6 – June 30, 2021, 11:59:02 pm

Thank you all for the valuable advice, everyone who has answered this post has helped me to make up my mind what to do.

I will follow Brad's advice, doing nothing right now, performing  good maintenance services and paying close attention to the unit.

Long ago in my working life before I moved into management I worked as a machinery engineer and did ok, unfortunately my area of expertise was in the field of compressors and gas turbine drivers 30,000 HP and up.

That does not help me very much with my FT generator, but I was smart enough to join the forum.

Regards

Klaus

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #7 – July 01, 2021, 10:10:18 am

Mine just turned over 5500 hrs and going strong. No rebuild just end bearing. Kubota diesels are very good and the powertech head is excellent. Only issue I had was with fuse holders losing contact and shutting down unit.
Pulled and put in new springs and added dielectric grease no more problems.

Larry

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #8 – July 01, 2021, 11:15:07 am

Is the end bearing easily accessible, do you have to disconnect fuel and coolant and pull unit out?

Regards

Klaus

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #9 – July 01, 2021, 11:18:58 am

You have the enclosed unit so actually getting to the generator head is something I don't know about. Once you have access to the head the bearing replacement is not that hard.  Someone with your type generator will give help.

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #10 – July 01, 2021, 01:16:19 pm

If you have a stethoscope or use a screw driver and place it at the end of the
generator and if the bearing is bad you can hear it. That's how I found out that
my bearing was shot.

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #11 – July 01, 2021, 02:03:16 pm

Power Tech Mobile Power Generators – Power Tech Mobile Generators
End Bearing for an Exciter and Marathon Brush End (7-12kw)
Unit Price
USD 50.95
SHIPPING SUBTOTAL TAX TOTAL
USD 68.97
 Part Number: 02BRG6206

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Re: Powertech Generator Overhaul

Reply #12 – July 01, 2021, 03:42:49 pm

Pulled my generator February. Fluids Belts,hoses, water pump, thermostat and end bearing. Water pump and thermostat showed signs of seepage and solder shot at overflow tube below cap. Air was getting in system. Pulled all nasty insulation
and replaced inside box. Powder coated tray and cleaned and insulated compartment.

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