Community Forums

twinboat · 12-17-2015, 05:49 PM

And yet the engine alternator survives.

Their realitivly cheep anyway.

rapid rick · 12-17-2015, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

My understanding is the reason for "exercising" the generator is mostly for the generating part of the gen set and not as much for the engine part. The electrical brushes rub on a copper part of the armature. During normal operations through out the year, this copper stays shinny and bright and very conductive. However, during the winter shutdown without running the generator this copper can get tarnished and may even stop generating electricity when you fire the gen set up in the spring.

makes sense thanks,I also wondered about drying out gaskets,etc with the gas shut off,would not be good.Guess I will just keep running it once a month

WILDEBILL308 · 12-18-2015, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

They tell us to run the generator to clean and dry the alternator slip rings and windings but tell us not to run the engine which turns the alternator that has slip rings and windings. Humm.

Yes things that make you go Humm. You don't have your coach in your sig or profile so this will be a generic reply. A diesel coach will not get to full operating temp running at idle. Did you know you should bring your diesel to fast idle as soon as you have oil pressure? This gives better combustion and less unburned fuel washing down the cylinder walls. I have had both Cat and Cummins reps say it is better to let it set unless you can drive it long enough to get everything warmed up. I have never heard of a alternator on a main engine not working because it has ben setting to long.
I have heard of generators not working because of the slip ring issue Humm. One problem with diesel powered generators is the coolant. Always use a low silica coolant. I have seen radiators plugged with silica crystals that precipitated out of the coolant because it had set to long,
I think gas powered generators have more problems than the diesel powered ones. This is because of the problem with old gas in the carbonator, gas drying and leaving deposits. In talking to a factory Onan rep he stated "90% of the problems people have is because they don't follow the recommendations in the owners manual." Humm
Bill

twinboat · 12-18-2015, 02:38 PM

Humm, I haven't just heard all of that, I experienced it.

With 36 years fixing and maintaning internal combustion engine, driven stuff, from 2.5 to 1200 hp, I've seen plenty.

Factory reps will always blame the customer.

For the most part, you just can't leave gas in small engine carbs.

Ray,IN · 12-18-2015, 03:06 PM

Onan says run it 2 hrs per month under 1/2 rated load. The1/2 load purpose is to completely dry any moisture from the generator part, the 2 hrs is to bring the engine up to operating temperature long enough to evaporate any crankcase moisture. Water/moisture causes oil to become acidic, which can rust exposed metal, etch bearings, and deteriorate seals. That's all in your manual..
Which reminds me, I'm a week overdue to run mine.

stan5711 · 12-18-2015, 03:22 PM

Bill you said to let it run 5 min. to cool down,is that true during summer time also.

WILDEBILL308 · 12-19-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan5711

Bill you said to let it run 5 min. to cool down,is that true during summer time also.

Summer or winter. Lets stir the pot a little. You do let your coach cool down for a few minuets before you shut it down don't you? This is especially important if you have a diesel. Humm

Bill