Community Forums

JOC1212 · 08-12-2022, 02:16 PM

Has anyone that has a CC that was cursed with a Power Tech Generator found a way to keep them from over heating and shutting down??
We've fought with ours since 2007 when we purchased the coach. We've been to the Power Tech west coast service center, we've been back to the CC factory when they briefly re-opened a service facility in Junction City, we've been to independent facilities and with all the work and "fixes" it still over heats with little or no load and the "high temp" protection circuit shut it down.
While it was at the CC repair (temporary) we had them install oil pressure and water temp gauges( which required removal of the unit from the coach) and nothing or no facility has been able to keep it running if the ambient air temp is the slight bit warm.

Has anyone found a cure for this?? I'd hate to junk this unit if there is a cure. I'm on the verge of purchasing a new Onan since I never hear complaints about them. I'm guessing that would be a $20K fix that I'd sure like to avoid if at all possible. BTW Power Tech is no help fixing their problem.

deandec · 08-12-2022, 03:20 PM

We have a PT7000 power tech generator in our 1995 rig.

I have had two generation unit issues that cost $$$ to repair in the past 20 years.

The Kubota Engine overheated once when the radiator fan belt broke.

I have a manual for a newer version of PT7000. It states this info in the shutdown causes chart:

High Ambient (Air) Temperature

Fault 4

The PCM measures an ambient air temperature
above a specific threshold.
NOTE: Temperature inside the Control Box

This may be of some help?

JOC1212 · 08-12-2022, 04:04 PM

I've had absolutely everything checked, repaired, replaced since 2007 on this thing. I don't consider 73 degrees high temp. This thing overheated driving down the highway when the temp is 77 degrees.
My friends with Onans have no issues when its 3 digits out.

The issue with this installation is lack of air low around the generator and no one we've had work on this seems to be able to come up with a plan to fix it.
I'm seriously considering cutting a couple of 3" holes in the genset bay and putting in 2 in line fans (one to push air in and one to suck air out).

I'm hoping that someone will have cured this problem so I have a proven model go follow before I start hacking up my MH.

**CountryFit** · 08-13-2022, 06:18 AM

Sorry to hear that PT genset has caused you so much trouble. Our PT 8000 has been working fine, except once I had to replace the voltage regulator, and another time the fuel pump.

But, I did notice a bad design by CC - the in and out air ports for radiator are right next to each other. The hot air from the radiator is right being sucked in to "cool" the radiator! Kind of dumb design! What you can try is - if it's stationed, place a cardboard or a sheet metal in the middle under the air ports so to isolate the two kind of airs; don't let them mix.

Good luck and keep us posted.

stonegully · 08-13-2022, 12:35 PM

I had the exact problem. My shop said the radiator needed to be roddeD out. I told them to put a new radiator in and have not had a problem since, about 5 years and I live in az. I have a 7000.

A friend of mine is actually boondocking in Quartzite AZ right now. Days can hit well in excess of 100°. He’s had two problems with his 8000. A blown fuse and a loose wire on his fuel pump. I’m sure none of those are your problem probably need to look into the radiator that I just discussed

Boomper · 08-14-2022, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOC1212

Has anyone that has a CC that was cursed with a Power Tech Generator found a way to keep them from over heating and shutting down??

We've fought with ours since 2007 when we purchased the coach. We've been to the Power Tech west coast service center, we've been back to the CC factory when they briefly re-opened a service facility in Junction City, we've been to independent facilities and with all the work and "fixes" it still over heats with little or no load and the "high temp" protection circuit shut it down.

While it was at the CC repair (temporary) we had them install oil pressure and water temp gauges( which required removal of the unit from the coach) and nothing or no facility has been able to keep it running if the ambient air temp is the slight bit warm.

Has anyone found a cure for this?? I'd hate to junk this unit if there is a cure. I'm on the verge of purchasing a new Onan since I never hear complaints about them. I'm guessing that would be a $20K fix that I'd sure like to avoid if at all possible. BTW Power Tech is no help fixing their problem.

We never felt cursed to own the PT CD7000.
It is now 26 years old and runs well, zero problems and routine maintenance.
Routine maintenance

JOC1212 · 08-16-2022, 06:42 PM

I've gotten multiple comments re: my gen set over heating issue. I've talked to the service guy from the plan. I've implemented his suggestions with no success. Many of you have suggested the same things he has. Some of you have suggested that I do things that make way more sense to me than the factory's suggestions.
I really like to find someone that actually installed these things at Country Coach and actually saw one work during the summer for more than 20 minutes.
I'm planning a trip in November and will have to use the gen set for the entire 2 weeks. Hopefully the irv2 brain trust can help me find a solution before then.
We've had 3 different RV shops (big ones) work on this and none have been able to fix the issue.
We'll be traveling to CA in November and don't mind paying to get this working if someone can quarantine they can actually make it work for more than an hour in 45 degree weather. My wife just brought me what we've paid so for to get it to work and we've in excess of $3k. this is bordering on insane.
HELP.

AZNOMADDR · 08-18-2022, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonegully

I had the exact problem. My shop said the radiator needed to be roddeD out. I told them to put a new radiator in and have not had a problem since, about 5 years and I live in az. I have a 7000.

A friend of mine is actually boondocking in Quartzite AZ right now. Days can hit well in excess of 100°. He’s had two problems with his 8000. A blown fuse and a loose wire on his fuel pump. I’m sure none of those are your problem probably need to look into the radiator that I just discussed

YUP that be me in Quartzsite. Having spoken with Powertech guru Jeff Jones extensively, I can report that Jeff taught me: “…..one thing to keep in mind is that for every 10° over standard ambient of 72°, you generator will lose 4% efficiency!” I regularly operate in 105° in Sonoran desert without worry and am losing 12 to 14% efficiencies !

JOC1212 · 08-18-2022, 06:54 PM

next step is to overhaul cooling system. Replace water pump, and all associated water moving parts. This sounds like the logical plan moving forward. the trick now is figuring out how to get to the engine to remove and replace the parts.

I want to thank everyone for all their help and advice. any more advise or photos would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all soo much. I am taking your advise and over hauling the water movement devices.

**CountryFit** · 08-18-2022, 11:23 PM

There is a PT authorized dealer in Eugene, OR - Anderson Power Specialties, the old guy looks good on doing what you are looking to do. He can pull it out and do the full maintenance.

Google the business name to get his phone number. Good luck!

JOC1212 · 08-19-2022, 09:36 AM

Sadly I must report that Mr. Anderson has retired from the RV fixin business.

robertfruth · 08-23-2022, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOC1212

Has anyone that has a CC that was cursed with a Power Tech Generator found a way to keep them from over heating and shutting down??
We've fought with ours since 2007 when we purchased the coach. We've been to the Power Tech west coast service center, we've been back to the CC factory when they briefly re-opened a service facility in Junction City, we've been to independent facilities and with all the work and "fixes" it still over heats with little or no load and the "high temp" protection circuit shut it down.
While it was at the CC repair (temporary) we had them install oil pressure and water temp gauges( which required removal of the unit from the coach) and nothing or no facility has been able to keep it running if the ambient air temp is the slight bit warm.

Has anyone found a cure for this?? I'd hate to junk this unit if there is a cure. I'm on the verge of purchasing a new Onan since I never hear complaints about them. I'm guessing that would be a $20K fix that I'd sure like to avoid if at all possible. BTW Power Tech is no help fixing their problem.

We also have a 2000 Intrigue. If you read the owner's manual there are plenty of suggestions on how to vent the generator. CC DID NOT install any vent in the door. I never used the generator when going down the road and always had to open the generator basement door to keep it from overheating. With the door closed it always overheated within 20 minutes, with the basement door open it has NEVER overheated. So if you need the generator when going down the road you WILL need to vent the door by cutting a hole. Again refer to the owner's manual for the size of opening you will need. Otherwise, if like me, and you don't want to cut a hole in your door and don't need the genny going down the road just open the basement door once stopped.

stonegully · 08-24-2022, 11:13 AM

I live in Arizona so from time to time we drive in temperatures up to 110+. I never use my dash air and have only had my Power Tec shut down three times which I suspect is because of heat. All three times the sun was shining on the generator side of the Coach, 100+ degrees and all three times I was sitting still. Could possibly have something to do with the fact that I have a 7000 KW I don’t know