Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Generator Radiator Fan Issues (Read 456 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator Radiator Fan Issues

My generator has been overheating and initially it was the fan breaker that broke...replaced it with something I found at Napa and the fan started working.

What's happening now is after about 10-15 minutes the fan slows down to almost stopped and then naturally the generator overheats. Overnight I try it again and it repeats...fan works fine (I think, it's blowing pretty good) then it slows to a stop.

Any ideas?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #1 –
Direct wire the fan with the gen. off ,if it does the same thing you need a new fan motor,if it runs check for loose connections.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #2 –
I would say capacitor then fan motor in that order?
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #3 –
If the motor stars easily I would suspect the run capacitor.
Tim Dianics
Pam Sapienza
Vader PupZilla Labrador Canine Beast (AKA Pup)
Columbia, MO
1996 U320 4000
2021 Jeep Gladiator, Diesel

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #4 –
I thought the capacitor is to start the motor.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #5 –
I don't think the motor that was in my 1997 U295 had a run capacitor.

I tried the different speed winding but that didn't stop the problem

I ended up getting new motor and housing since I was not able to get the squirrel cage off and destroyed it trying.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #6 –
Does anybody have the capacitor part number, guess I'll try that first.

If the motor is bad, do they make a direct replacement for the squirrel cage motor?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #7 –
Microfarad rating should be on your existing capacitor.  It can be tested with a decent multimeter.  Sorry I don't have info on the motor but it's a pretty standard HVAC blower motor and can be matched up easily (once it's removed).  I recommend direct wiring off of shore power as recommend above.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #8 –
When the fan stops working try turning the squirrel cage right away to see if it is stuck. It could be
the motor bearings or bushings that are sticking.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #9 –
Quote from: oldguy –
When the fan stops working try turning the squirrel cage right away to see if it is stuck. It could be
the motor bearings or bushings that are sticking.

I'll try this but what's weird is it never stops spinning...just slows down to a crawl and doesn't produce enough air through radiator. (Unless when I check on it, it hasn't had enough time to stop spinning completely)

I'll try it again and when the fan slows down I'll give it a whirl and see if it speeds back up...hopefully it's just the capacitor.

The fan does appear to spin freely so bearings are probably ok, but I guess the motor could still be on its way out :🤷‍♂️
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
Does anybody have the capacitor part number, guess I'll try that first.

If the motor is bad, do they make a direct replacement for the squirrel cage motor?
Результат поиска Google для https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iMAAAOSwvp5jH0yb/s...
Don't know why it's in that language but that's the one I have
LOT OF 2 GE CAPACITORS 97F9121 15 Uf 370VAC PROTECTED P923 C10000AFC...
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired
 

Re: Generator Radiator Fan Issues

Reply #11 –
Replaced capacitor and relocated to front of bay where I can access it easier in the future...that fixed it.

The fan is now running at 100% and generator passed a test of an hour run time. So relieved it wasn't the squirrel cage motor.

Previously I had thought that the fan was running at 100% then fading down to nothing. I was wrong, it was at 50% at best. I never paid attention to how much air the fan was churning out when working properly, so once it started failing it was hard to gauge if the fan was working at 100%...except the fact it wasn't cooling the generator down enough and kicking it off.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS