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Topic: UPDATED Powertech service recommendation needed (Read 936 times) previous topic - next topic

UPDATED Powertech service recommendation needed

Currently in Kerrville TX in this winter storm.
any recommendations as to a powertech service location in San Antonio or Austin?

Gen stopped with an overheat light. Started right up but i noticed the cooling fan was not spinning so I shut it down. Blower does not spin freely when turned by hand., but it does turn

Thanks
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #1
Blower does not spin freely when turned by hand., but it does turn

Frank,

The squirrel cage should spin with just a finger and meet little resistance. Most likely the fan motor bearings are failing or the lube has dried out in bearings. If you had a bad motor capacitor the squirrel cage would spin freely. With having to pull the whole assembly to just try to lube the bearings you will have better success with just replacing the motor and capacitor. FYI while the assembly is out move the capacitor to the outside side of the fan housing rather than where you will find it hid.

This can be a very doable DIY job with minimal hand tools. Now if you prefer DIFY then you don't need a Powertech generator shop just a good RV tech. Touch base with Dave Cobb as if he is in the area he may know someone that can help. https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1526

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #2
Check the circuit breakers on the generator control panel, they may have tripped.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #3
Mike
Do you have any part #s for the motor and capacitor? I've been trying to find them on the forum with no luck.
Thanks for your help so early in the morning
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #4
Circuit breakers are good when I turned on the generator it ran for about 12 minutes and shut down again no circuit breakers were tripped only the high temperature light was on and I could smell something cooking by the fan motor
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #5
Do you have any part #s for the motor and capacitor?

I may have the info. Seems like the OEM came from Granger which can be crossed to by any motor shop. I will have to go and look to see if I can find it. It may take a while due to the  sleet storm we are having right now. 

Here is some info Steve came up with doing his recently. This has a little info as to what you need to do to take the fan assembly out. I talked to him on the phone about this same problem several weeks ago so he may chime in when he sees this thread.
Replacement of Generator Cooling fan motor

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #6
Frank,

I got suited up and crampons on to negotiate the ice but was able to retrieve the Dayton info on the unit. The bad new is what motor info is in there refers to 4 different Granger motor numbers. So what this means is you have to pull the motor to figure out which replacement motor you need.  If you are going to have to do this you are money ahead to just take the removed motor to any HVAC supply house or motor shop and put it up on the counter and tell them you need a fresh one along with a matching capacitor. They will have them in stock as these are common a lot of air handling units.  Going this route will also save you about 25% in cost.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #7
Or you can call FT Parts and ask them to send you the proper replacement.  They were competitive when i replaced mine.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #8
From the 2003 U320 parts manual (3rd column is a part number, I believe)


05 P35720 3M898 1 EA BLOWER MOTOR,1/2 HP,GENERATOR
06 P35722 6X658 1 EA CAPACITOR (RUN), BLOWER MOTOR
07 P35723 4C590 1 EA BLOWER,DIRECT DRIVE,GENERATOR
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

Lifetime Escapees' member SKP 82766
Former 1999 30IB Lazy Daze (2000-2004)
Former 2003 U320 (2004-2016)
Former 2017 LTV Unity (2017-2023)
Shopping for our next coach

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #9
Thanks Michelle,
Is the parts manual somewhere in the forum or on Barry's site?
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #10
Thanks Michelle,
Is the parts manual somewhere in the forum

I believe it is.  I'll locate it tomorrow and post the link.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

Lifetime Escapees' member SKP 82766
Former 1999 30IB Lazy Daze (2000-2004)
Former 2003 U320 (2004-2016)
Former 2017 LTV Unity (2017-2023)
Shopping for our next coach

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #11
I believe it is.  I'll locate it tomorrow and post the link.

Well, looks like it wasn't.  So now it is.  We also now have a Parts Manual folder in Media, so if anyone has one or parts of one for other years, please upload them (add the year/model to the item title, please).

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=593
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

Lifetime Escapees' member SKP 82766
Former 1999 30IB Lazy Daze (2000-2004)
Former 2003 U320 (2004-2016)
Former 2017 LTV Unity (2017-2023)
Shopping for our next coach

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #12
Well, looks like it wasn't.  So now it is.  We also now have a Parts Manual folder in Media, so if anyone has one or parts of one for other years, please upload them (add the year/model to the item title, please).

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=593

That parts manual looks like a handy item to have!  Where would a person find one for there RV?  Do they have copies at the mother ship?

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #13
Ordered Fan motor and start capacitor from foretravel.
They had it in stock and I will Pick it up on Monday
$225 out the door for both items
I will do the install myself Thanks to those who contacted me
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #14
Frank was the part numbers that Michelle posted in reply 8 the numbers you used with Foretravel?
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #15
Any recommended generator service places in Nacogdoches?
Just need an annual service.

Thanks
Frank
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: Powertech service recommendation needed

Reply #16
When we pulled the blower motor yesterday to allow access to the steering box, I found a plastic bag sucked up inside of the blower itself.  Apparently was sucked in there going down the road, so a good idea for one to look closely at the blower assy and make sure nothing is caught up in there.  Just an FYI.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus