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Topic: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset (Read 780 times) previous topic - next topic

Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Having a non-computerized Coach, I have never been comfortable not knowing what is going on down below with the generator. The little green light on the dash next to the generator start switch just isn't enough information. Yes it SHOULD shut down if the temperature gets too high or if the oil pressure drops too low.  However it would be nice to know what those values are along with the other important little gauges on the dash.

So I have ordered a couple of VDO gauges to monitor the temp and oil pressure on the generator. I am using electronic gauges and sending units rather than mechanical ones because of the distance between dash and genset and ease of installation due to the roll out tray the genset is mounted on. That is my PLAN anyway.

If any members have ANY suggestions or DO's and Don't's.......... please chime in!  I always welcome advice and prefer to learn from the mistakes of others rather than my own.  ;D

I have not checked to see if there are spare wires from the generator control box to the dash area....... that would be nice!
If no spares, I will run some new ones anyway. Its only more work and us DIY'ers are use to that.

Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #1 –
You can use household thermostat wire or other multi conductor wire to make life easier.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #2 –
I'm gonna do this pretty soon too. My genset doesn't slide out so I intend to use mechanical gauges, at least for the oil pressure. I also intend to install a three way valve and heater hoses over to the defroster so I can get some of the heat from the genset's engine into my coach in the winter. Why waste that heat energy? I could defrost my windshield and / or take some load off my gas furnace while I'm getting ready to hit the road in the morning. I'll use the three way valve to switch back to the radiator in warm weather.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #3 –
We also wanted to add generator oil pressure and coolant temperature gauges.  We routed new multiple wire cable from gen to dash.  We decided that we did not want to find dash space for two new meters, so we purchased original Foretravel VDO senders now being used for engine coolant & oil pressure dash gauges and put the OEM dash gauges to double duty. 

We have an Isuzu engine, not the Kubota on our PowerTech generator.  Installing the coolant sensor was straight forward with an unused plugged NPT fitting on thermostat housing.  Installing the oil pressure was another story, and to-date has not been installed. The Isuzu oil pressure sensor is not US NPT standard tapered threads.  I think it uses a metric taper and checking further only confused me because I found several metric standards.  We did have an oil leak on our original Isuzu pressure sensor, and purchased the correct replacement sensor from PowerTech, and at that time was unsuccessful in finding a way to put in a metric Tee that would accept the metric sensor and the 1/8" NPT VDO sender.  It was just easier to replace the metric oil pressure sender and forget about measuring gen oil pressure. 

To handle double duty, I put a small dash DPDT switch on the wires connected to our dash coolant temp gauge.  One pole was for power and one pole was for the meter signal.  Center poles connected to meter.  Switch down connects power from OEM ignition, switch up connects start battery to gauge so it works without ignition on.

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #4 –
Not to hyjack the thread, but could the heater line from the engine to up front heater just have a T installed in it. If connected the two (coach / generator) radiators could aid in heating / cooling each other. The gen could then aid in warming engine before start ??  Prolly a god reason for not doing this or Fortravel would have.

 FT.
 I'll be watching the progress since our coach is a twin.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
  Prolly a god reason for not doing this or Fortravel would have.

 FT.
 I'll be watching the progress since our coach is a twin.

Must be a good reason.............. haven't heard of any that have done it.
I'll have to give that a lot more thought, not sure what the coolant flow (path) would be with two T-stats and separate radiators.

Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #6 –
Can't imagine tying the two cooling systems.

If you want more cooling capacity for the "drive" engine, buy an inexpensive radiator and fit it up front. Use a three way valve from existing heater hoses to new radiator. Tie into existing hose back to engine from heater core.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #7 –
I was thinking more along the lines of preheating whichever engine had not been running. The recent cold weather has reminded me that Diesel engines don't like to be started cold. They will it but buck and snort a little.





Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #8 –
Scott,

What about using a fan unit like the ones that AquaHot uses

to get heat into the coach? Not a defroster but would get heat inside.

Carter-

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #9 –
Has anyone added an hour meter to their gen set?  My onan quiet diesel 7.5 kw does not have one and I'd like a more accurate way to time oil changes and other maintenance.
Rich Roberson
Columbia, SC
1991 U280

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #10 –
Here is a four year old old post on my fuel pressure and coolant temp gauges. Would have liked to be able to monitor remotely but this works for now.

Fuel Pressure: Generator Fuel Pressure Gauge Installation

Temp Gauge: Generator will stop working and show a fault (High Temperature)

The temp gauge is plug and play but the fuel pressure takes a little more work. Both are invaluable. The fuel pressure gauge makes it easy to diagnose bad fuel line, plugged filter, etc.

I have the flu so can't spend anymore time writing.

Pierce


Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Adding Gauges for a PowerTec Genset

Reply #11 –
My main reason for starting the genset on very cold mornings before I start driving is to preheat the engine with the electric oil pan heater. I definitely don't want to send hot water from the genset way back to the engine 30 feet away. I want to give the defroster a head start and maybe take some load off the gas furnace. It takes a long time to get heat from the main engine all the way to the defroster when you start driving on a cold morning. I'll install a three way valve on one of the hoses of the genset to divert the coolant from the genset's radiator to the defroster instead. I'll use the existing control valve on the defroster to prevent the coolant from going back to the engine. I want the heat going into the defroster instead of wasting it. We call this cogeneration in power plants, producing heat along with electricity. See what a good environmentalist I am? :) I installed a sprayer on my radiator so I don't need extra cooling for the main engine. The genset doesn't have cooling problems unless the fan belt slips, which has happened a couple of times. I removed the finger guard so I can check and tighten the fan belt if needed. I check it before I start it each time as part of my preflight checklist. I changed the belt to a Gates and now it stays tight for a very long time compared to the other brands of belts.

My original plan was to use my existing dash gauges for the genset with a multi pole double throw switch, even using the existing tachometer. Sometimes I run the genset with the windshield drapes closed in very cold or very hot weather. I can't see my dashboard gauges at all when the drapes are closed. I built a custom walnut dashboard to cover the top portion of what used to be the TV and mounted a full size CB/weather alert radio, outside air temperature LED thermistor, 12 volt DC cigar socket, a pair of USB power sockets, and a coach voltage LED voltmeter on the new dashboard so far. It's below the drapes so I can see everything with the drapes closed or open. I left room for two more 2" round VDO gauges for genset oil pressure and temperature. There's also room for a couple of rows of switches if needed. It looks like something Foretravel could have built. I copied the existing walnut panel as closely as practical. Obviously it's wider and thicker than the original panel to have all that stuff in it, but it's the same walnut wood, fasteners, and curved edges as the original. I didn't drill any new holes that are visible and I still have the original walnut panel that can be put back in leaving no evidence.

Carter, I considered a kickspace heater but that would only heat the coach, not the windshield. The existing defroster can do both jobs and won't add any extra weight or expense. I do intend to install electric kickspace heaters though. I'll write about all this stuff eventually after I get it installed and test it out. I've got several other modifications already done but I'm waiting until I've tested them more thoroughly before I write about them... stay tuned
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)