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Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

July 19, 2022, 07:11:20 pm

The generator in my U295 stopped running and the indicator showed Hi Temp.
It's my understanding that the cooling fan should run as soon as the switch is turned on, but it doesn't.
I have been told the problem is either the fan motor or a capacitor within close proximity.
Can anyone shed some light on where I might find this.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #1 – July 19, 2022, 07:27:55 pm

It is on the back side of the squirrel cage at the rear. You have to get under the coach to get at it. I moved mine to the front when I replaced it. I think I had my generator pulled forward which made it eaiser but might be doable with in slid in.
There is plenty of wire to move it to the front side. Why Foretravel put it there is anyone's guess.

Larry

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #2 – July 19, 2022, 07:31:24 pm

FYI, my fan doesn't run until the unit starts putting out power.  That takes about 30 seconds after startup.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #3 – July 19, 2022, 07:32:51 pm

On most of those age generator remote fans the capacitor is hid behind the fan. This means that you will most likely have to remove the fan and motor assembly to get to the capacitor or on some you may be able to get to it from the back side.  The engineer who decided to put that capacitor there needs to be whipped. Before this though you need to take the cover off the fan motor junction box and see if you have power to this point. If not then you need to check the breaker to see if it is bad. Look for the simple stuff before the hard stuff.

Mike

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #4 – July 19, 2022, 09:35:01 pm

One other thought that came to mind is you need to check the water pump belt to see if it is loose/bad while you are working on the fan issue.  This is one thing that is neglected on a lot of coaches.

Mike

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #5 – July 19, 2022, 09:51:46 pm

Make sure your fan switch is on. It could have been shut off accidentally.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #6 – July 19, 2022, 10:03:25 pm

On my coach the radiator and squirrel cage fan are located in the first basement locker beneath the driver's feet.  When my fan capacitor failed I was able to reach over the squirrel cage housing to get to the capacitor.  When I replaced it I remounted it right in front (on the driver side) of the housing so it would be easily accessible in the future. 

However, before you get to messing with the capacitor, check the fan circuit breaker.  On my coach it looks like a toggle switch.  It really is a circuit breaker and not just a switch.  Over time and vibration it can become weak and trip for little or no reason.  That is a much easier and slightly cheaper fix than the capacitor. 

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #7 – July 20, 2022, 06:53:38 am

Before you do any of the above. 
Open door where the fan blower is located.
Start Generator
Take a screwdriver or some tool, stick in the squirrel cage fan and give it a spin.
If fan starts running, you then know you will need a new capacitor.
If it does not start, then go and follow the steps stated above.

In the twenty or so years I owned the 1997 U295. I have had to replace the fan motor and 1 or  2 capacitors.  I replaced the breaker but I think the fan motor was going bad and I was being a part changer.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #8 – July 20, 2022, 12:32:15 pm

Thanks everyone this will give me a direction to trouble shoot, if it every gets cool enough here in Texas to work on this problem..

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #9 – August 05, 2022, 03:27:06 pm

Here is something else to check: if the fan belt is worn or loose, the generator will produce electric, the blower on the radiator will spin and blow air, but as soon as the engine heats up- because of loose fan belt- she will throw the code and shut down. Mine did this exact scenario and replaced the belt- all good now.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #10 – August 05, 2022, 10:52:23 pm

I had the same problem.
Thanks to members Pamela & Mike; Mike suggested the 10amp circuit breaker needed replacement. I followed his advice and fixed my generator problem with a small amount of work and very little expense.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #11 – August 05, 2022, 11:35:12 pm

And here is another option. On mine. It was lack of coolant.  I had to bleed the system multiple times in order to get it running okay. I thought it was my water pump, or the belt but those were fine. Is good and it's kind of hard to tell if you have the remote radiator like mine.
Another time it was the circuit breaker for the squirrel cage fan.
And like others, at some point a previous owner moved most of the controls into the space under the driver's feet. And again, as previously said cycle all the breakers to make sure that they're working.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #12 – August 06, 2022, 11:52:19 am

I had a similar problem. The voltage regulator had come loose and failed.
Once that was replaced, problem went away.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #13 – August 06, 2022, 05:19:55 pm

I have had the generator overheat from not enough air getting to it when the front of the coach is low from leveling. I just opened up the front and side doors and it worked as it should.

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #14 – August 06, 2022, 10:38:34 pm

I guess to summarize this thread, the generator can overheat from at least a dozen different causes.  Examine the easy and cheap causes first before you start throwing parts at it. 

Richard

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #15 – August 27, 2022, 09:17:49 pm

WELL...... I took everyone's information/suggestions and began the serious trouble shooting.  The short story is: the cooling fan was operational and  I found the problem to be Air In The Cooling System.  I performed what someone told me was Burping The System.  I got good instruction on how to do this from the good people on this form and after burping it twice without the unit running, I did it again two more times with the engine running.  This past week we took a 600 mile trip, running the generator for three days and it performed flawlessly.

I owe the success of this recent endeavor to my friends on this form.

Thanks again...!

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Re: Powertech 10K cooling fan not running and unit over heats

Reply #16 – August 27, 2022, 10:59:25 pm

Danny,

Congratulations and thanks for the follow-up report.  Your post will likely help someone else in the future. 

Richard

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