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Topic: Gen set shroud necessary? (Read 904 times) previous topic - next topic

Gen set shroud necessary?

I understand the safety of having a shroud in place if the engine door is open and running.  Is there another purpose if the door is closed and it is running?  Would half a shroud e.g. the opening side be sufficient?  Just curious before I grind back the opening.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #1 –
George,

Please tell us what generator you have.
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: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #2 –
Why do you want to "grind back the opening"?
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #3 –
Sorry, I have the 8k Isuzu.  Jim I want to insure that after the separation on my set the fan does not clip the shroud and throw the belt again.  I am replacing the strap if it needs to remain.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #4 –
THE Shroud on the 8k Powertech is designed to to push the air thru the radiator not around it.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #5 –
Quote
Just curious before I grind back the opening.

I thought about grinding mine too. I'm thinking that any movement you get will likely be lateral so if you ground it back 1/4" or so on both sides you would probably be good to go. Your shroud would still do its job but you'd have a good amount of clearance. I thought about doing that but ended up retaining the top shroud to engine mounts with new isolators.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #6 –
I'd take a good look at why your shroud is now coming into contact with the fan blade after your modification.  I've done a somewhat similar mod and have never had any contact after 100s of hours of runtime. I would not modify the shroud, personally. 
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #7 –
Quote
I'd take a good look at why your shroud is now coming into contact with the fan blade after your modification.

Mine ran fine with no contact after the modification (separation at bottom and diagonal 1/4" cross bars). What got me thinking about the contact with the fan was George's post regarding running the generator while on the road. To simulate that I shook the engine violently and the fan did contact the shroud. I probably moved the engine more than it would move when driving but to be sure I removed the cross bars and reconnected the top isolators.

It will be interesting to see the different approaches and how they hold up.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #8 –
If it takes violent actions to make contact, why not rig a travel limiter? A piece of 1/8" diameter garage door cable, a cable clamp nut/ubolt, and find a way to fasten it to the moving generator where normal travel is acceptable but the "violent travel distance is not.  In other words, leave slack in the cable. You will then probably never know when and if it worked.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #9 –
Mine hit on I10 in Louisiana around Lake Charles.  It was quite violent and at the time thought I could have damaged our suspension.  If you have driven this route recently you may know the area.  Hopefully that pavement has been repaired.

Pretty sure I have to much rubber on the arm, both ends, going to a motor mount on the shroud.  Replacing with a strap as in Marks modification suggested by Powertech but then again modified at OTM.

No issues static.  With the replacement I will post results but don't anticipate running while underway until next spring.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #10 –
I have the same generator on my 1996.  When I bought it in 2008, the rubber mounts for the radiator were shot and allowed the fan to contact the shroud.  I could tell that the plastic fan blade tips were not as long as original. I could not find a replacement fan, but it has never overheated.  I replaced the mounts and had the leaking radiator re-cored, no problem since.  I don't have the bar shown in the picture that is bolted to the generator engine and frame.  Do you know if that is original? 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #11 –
George, I just took a good look at your modification, the 2 sections of the frame are miss aligned at the cut line, it looks like the radiator is higher than the original frame.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #12 –
Jerry,

That is a modification he made when he separated the radiator assembly from the engine mounting assembly.  The radiator is no longer subject to the vibrations of the engine which has caused leaks and failure of the radiator for some of us. 

George,

When I was figuring out how to build my somewhat similar mounting system, I spent a long time with washers and spacers figuring out exactly how high/low my radiator assembly needed to be to ensure that it never came into contact with the fan.  Lots of trial and error.  In the end, I can force my generator with everything I've got and it won't contact the fan blades.  I think you just need a bit of fine tuning of the height of the radiator assembly.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #13 –
Thanks for your insights I will give it another go.  Taking the bar off tomorrow and replacing.  Will give it another test and post.

Jerry the fans are available from Powertech for 200+.  Has to be a push blade.
George and Steph
1997 U270 36 Build 5081 "Honu"
1180w Solar 400A lithium all Victron house system
Motorcade 17670, SKP 128300, FMCA F459019
73 VW Camper, 79 VW Camper, 2363 Sunline, and an Arctic Fox 25P

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #14 –
Quote from: George and Steph –
Jerry the fans are available from Powertech for 200+.  Has to be a push blade.
Maybe the price is why I could not find one.  :o
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt
 

Re: Gen set shroud necessary?

Reply #15 –
A new gen fan blade was available from PowerTech.