Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Hi, folks--

A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have indoor storage for our coach.
For anyone else who must keep their coach outdoors in colder climes, do you have
any way to keep the generator motor warm so that it starts in cold weather
without having to open the generator tray to push the glow-plug? E.g., is there
a block heater available for a Perkins diesel?

We've got it worked out that we can also use our coach generator to power a
small part of the house in case of a power outage. We're going through a
cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew has noticed that he has to
start up the engine and let it run for at least 45 seconds before he can get the
generator going. He's concerned about the amount of diesel smoke that belches
out because of the cold--especially if it's going toward our neighbor's house.
If the generator engine was preheated, he thinks this would not be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

just a thought but that engine(perkins) was used on a
lot of farm tractors.(massy fergason) you might check
with TRACTOR SUPPLY or a farm tractor supply store.
warren 80-35-fcsb cold (9 DEGREES )IOWA
--- Jo-Ski wrote:

> Hi, folks--
>
> A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have
> indoor storage for our coach. For anyone else who
> must keep their coach outdoors in colder climes, do
> you have any way to keep the generator motor warm so
> that it starts in cold weather without having to
> open the generator tray to push the glow-plug? E.g.,
> is there a block heater available for a Perkins
> diesel?
>
> We've got it worked out that we can also use our
> coach generator to power a small part of the house
> in case of a power outage. We're going through a
> cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew
> has noticed that he has to start up the engine and
> let it run for at least 45 seconds before he can get
> the generator going. He's concerned about the amount
> of diesel smoke that belches out because of the
> cold--especially if it's going toward our neighbor's
> house. If the generator engine was preheated, he
> thinks this would not be a problem.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
>
> Jo-Ski (and Stew)
> "The Bird Abides"
> '83-FC 35 RB
> Blaine, WA
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>




__________________________________________
Yahoo! DSL – Something to write home about.
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I use a magnetic block heater for my genset that I bought at NAPA. I also
carry a small Honda 2000i in one compartment for emergencies to get things
started.

- Chuck Wheeler -
82 FC 31 SB
Fort Worth, TX

-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jo-Ski
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 10:00 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] keeping generator engine warm


Hi, folks--

A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have indoor storage for our
coach. For anyone else who must keep their coach outdoors in colder climes,
do you have any way to keep the generator motor warm so that it starts in
cold weather without having to open the generator tray to push the
glow-plug? E.g., is there a block heater available for a Perkins diesel?

We've got it worked out that we can also use our coach generator to power a
small part of the house in case of a power outage. We're going through a
cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew has noticed that he has
to start up the engine and let it run for at least 45 seconds before he can
get the generator going. He's concerned about the amount of diesel smoke
that belches out because of the cold--especially if it's going toward our
neighbor's house. If the generator engine was preheated, he thinks this
would not be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to offer suggestions and responded to
this thread! Within a few minutes of my sending it, Tom Warner sent the two
posts below, but I noticed that theycame to me offlist--and, the first post
below turns out to be the simple answer! Thought others on the list might
benefit from it! Thanks, Tom (and everybody!)! Stew tried the rocker switch
suggestion first thing Saturday morning, and it did the trick! I'm sure he'll
read and be thankful for the rest of the thread, too, as am I!

Jo-Ski and Stew
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Warner"
To: "Jo-Ski"
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] keeping generator engine warm


> You do not have to open the tray to operate the glow plugs. Either
> the remote generator switch over the drivers dash or the one in the
> kitchen area will also engage the glow plugs. Just push the rocker
> switch the opposite way from start and hold it. That engages the glow plugs.
>
> tom
> 1982 FC35
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Warner"
To: "Jo-Ski"
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] keeping generator engine warm


> I forgot to answer the second part. If you have the marine version of
> the Perkins diesel llike I do (you can recognize it with its water
> cooled exhaust manifold) then you can buy a tank heater and connect
> it to the hoses that feed coolant to the exhaust manifold. You have a
> couple of marinas both in Blaine and Bellingham that should be able
> to help you. You have a Perkins 4.108 56 HP perkins diesel which is
> widely used in boats.
>
> tom

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> hAt 10:59 PM 12/2/2005, you wrote:
> >Hi, folks--
> >
> >A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have indoor storage
> >for our coach. For anyone else who must keep their coach outdoors in
> >colder climes, do you have any way to keep the generator motor warm
> >so that it starts in cold weather without having to open the
> >generator tray to push the glow-plug? E.g., is there a block heater
> >available for a Perkins diesel?
> >
> >We've got it worked out that we can also use our coach generator to
> >power a small part of the house in case of a power outage. We're
> >going through a cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew
> >has noticed that he has to start up the engine and let it run for at
> >least 45 seconds before he can get the generator going. He's
> >concerned about the amount of diesel smoke that belches out because
> >of the cold--especially if it's going toward our neighbor's house.
> >If the generator engine was preheated, he thinks this would not be a problem.
> >
> >Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
> >
> >Jo-Ski (and Stew)
> >"The Bird Abides"
> >'83-FC 35 RB
> >Blaine, WA
> >
> >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >SPONSORED LINKS
>
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cles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5=\
Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=DAUkCKkU7Dzhn_\
ObWmSYTw>Recreational
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nderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5=Used+recre\
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YHfELr6o72IW1A>Recreational
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r&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=UGEY5km4L\
-kXbDI4ZSadEw>Used
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> >
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>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Although I'm jumping into this thread rather late and it might have
been mentioned:

For the pre-heat to work, the pre-heat switch on the generator
control box must be on (up). This is the toggle-switch on the control
box in the gennie compartment, the one next to the start-stop switch.

For a quick-fix to warming the engine, you can buy magnetic oil-pan
heaters, just plug it in and stick it to any iron/steel to keep some
warmth in it. Most auto-parts suppliers have or can get these in
various wattage (here in cold climates).

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jo-Ski" wrote:
>
> Many thanks to everyone who took the time to offer suggestions and
responded to this thread! Within a few minutes of my sending it, Tom
Warner sent the two posts below, but I noticed that theycame to me
offlist--and, the first post below turns out to be the simple answer!
Thought others on the list might benefit from it! Thanks, Tom (and
everybody!)! Stew tried the rocker switch suggestion first thing
Saturday morning, and it did the trick! I'm sure he'll read and be
thankful for the rest of the thread, too, as am I!
>
> Jo-Ski and Stew
> "The Bird Abides"
> '83-FC 35 RB
> Blaine, WA

And, thanks to Randy Dupree also for nailing the solution! Sorry about all the
thank-you notes!--hate to miss out on thanking folks! And, again, thanks to
everyone else with their additional suggestions, which I'm sure Stew will relish
going through!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: Jo-Ski
To: wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2005 7:50 AM
Subject: Re: [wanderlodge] Re: keeping generator engine warm


Oops--I missed out on also thanking Harry Saddock for identifying the same
helpful solution to our problem!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: "hsaddock"
To:
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 4:41 AM
Subject: [wanderlodge] Re: keeping generator engine warm


> Jo-Ski:
> If your 83FC35 generator is wired like mine, no need to open the
> slide to turn on the glow plugs. If you hold the on/off rocker
> switch on either the overhead console up front or in the galley in
> the off/stop position, that turns on the glow plugs for as long as
> you depress the switch - lots easier!!
>
> Harry Saddock
> 83FC35
> South Windsor, CT
>
>
> --- In wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com, "mrdonut12" <mrdonut12@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Pre-heating the generator is a great idea. You could either use an
> > in-line hose heater or a magnetic heater that sticks to the block.
> > Go to a NAPA or truck parts store to see what they have.
> Heating
> > the engine will reduce smoke on start up.
> > Cold starts are very hard on diesel engines and it's very
> > important not to place a serious load on a diesel until it's warmed
> > up. The compression ratio on a diesel is about twice what it is
> in a
> > gas engine. The internal parts change dimensions as the parts warm
> > up, this is one of the reasons a warmup period is needed.
> > You can do what you want, but for me, I won't place a load on
> > mine until the coolant temp is in the 160 degree range, with 180
> being
> > normal operating temp. Once the coolant hits 180, the oil is still
> > too cold, so we're STILL not warm. ;o)
> > A light load is OK during the warmup period, but I wouldn't go
> > over 1/3 load until it hits 160 degrees.
> > A warm diesel is a happy diesel. Pre-heaters speed up the
> warmup
> > process and are a good thing.
> > I hope this helps.
> >
> > George Witt--ASE Certified Master Auto Technician
> > 81 FC 35
> > Lincoln, Nebraska
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com, "Jo-Ski" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi, folks--
> > >
> > > A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have indoor storage
> > for our
> > > coach. For anyone else who must keep their coach outdoors in
> colder
> > climes,
> > > do you have any way to keep the generator motor warm so that it
> > starts in
> > > cold weather without having to open the generator tray to push
> the
> > > glow-plug? E.g., is there a block heater available for a Perkins
> diesel?
> > >
> > > We've got it worked out that we can also use our coach generator
> to
> > power a
> > > small part of the house in case of a power outage. We're going
> through a
> > > cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew has noticed
> > that he has
> > > to start up the engine and let it run for at least 45 seconds
> before
> > he can
> > > get the generator going. He's concerned about the amount of
> diesel smoke
> > > that belches out because of the cold--especially if it's going
> > toward our
> > > neighbor's house. If the generator engine was preheated, he
> thinks this
> > > would not be a problem.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
> > >
> > > Jo-Ski (and Stew)
> > > "The Bird Abides"
> > > '83-FC 35 RB
> > > Blaine, WA


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

And, thanks to Randy Dupree also for nailing the solution! Sorry about all the
thank-you notes!--hate to miss out on thanking folks! And, again, thanks to
everyone else with their additional suggestions, which I'm sure Stew will relish
going through!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: Jo-Ski
To: wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2005 7:50 AM
Subject: Re: [wanderlodge] Re: keeping generator engine warm


Oops--I missed out on also thanking Harry Saddock for identifying the same
helpful solution to our problem!

Jo-Ski (and Stew)
"The Bird Abides"
'83-FC 35 RB
Blaine, WA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: "hsaddock"
To:
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 4:41 AM
Subject: [wanderlodge] Re: keeping generator engine warm


> Jo-Ski:
> If your 83FC35 generator is wired like mine, no need to open the
> slide to turn on the glow plugs. If you hold the on/off rocker
> switch on either the overhead console up front or in the galley in
> the off/stop position, that turns on the glow plugs for as long as
> you depress the switch - lots easier!!
>
> Harry Saddock
> 83FC35
> South Windsor, CT
>
>
> --- In wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com, "mrdonut12" <mrdonut12@y...>
> wrote:
> >
> > Pre-heating the generator is a great idea. You could either use an
> > in-line hose heater or a magnetic heater that sticks to the block.
> > Go to a NAPA or truck parts store to see what they have.
> Heating
> > the engine will reduce smoke on start up.
> > Cold starts are very hard on diesel engines and it's very
> > important not to place a serious load on a diesel until it's warmed
> > up. The compression ratio on a diesel is about twice what it is
> in a
> > gas engine. The internal parts change dimensions as the parts warm
> > up, this is one of the reasons a warmup period is needed.
> > You can do what you want, but for me, I won't place a load on
> > mine until the coolant temp is in the 160 degree range, with 180
> being
> > normal operating temp. Once the coolant hits 180, the oil is still
> > too cold, so we're STILL not warm. ;o)
> > A light load is OK during the warmup period, but I wouldn't go
> > over 1/3 load until it hits 160 degrees.
> > A warm diesel is a happy diesel. Pre-heaters speed up the
> warmup
> > process and are a good thing.
> > I hope this helps.
> >
> > George Witt--ASE Certified Master Auto Technician
> > 81 FC 35
> > Lincoln, Nebraska
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com, "Jo-Ski" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi, folks--
> > >
> > > A generator question: Unfortunately, we don't have indoor storage
> > for our
> > > coach. For anyone else who must keep their coach outdoors in
> colder
> > climes,
> > > do you have any way to keep the generator motor warm so that it
> > starts in
> > > cold weather without having to open the generator tray to push
> the
> > > glow-plug? E.g., is there a block heater available for a Perkins
> diesel?
> > >
> > > We've got it worked out that we can also use our coach generator
> to
> > power a
> > > small part of the house in case of a power outage. We're going
> through a
> > > cold-snap right now, and in testing things out, Stew has noticed
> > that he has
> > > to start up the engine and let it run for at least 45 seconds
> before
> > he can
> > > get the generator going. He's concerned about the amount of
> diesel smoke
> > > that belches out because of the cold--especially if it's going
> > toward our
> > > neighbor's house. If the generator engine was preheated, he
> thinks this
> > > would not be a problem.
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!
> > >
> > > Jo-Ski (and Stew)
> > > "The Bird Abides"
> > > '83-FC 35 RB
> > > Blaine, WA
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

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