keeping generator engine warm
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12-02-2005, 15:59
Post: #1
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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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12-02-2005, 16:15
Post: #2
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keeping generator engine warm
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 > 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 â Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less. dsl.yahoo.com |
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12-02-2005, 17:47
Post: #3
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keeping generator engine warm
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] SPONSORED LINKS Recreational <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recreational+vehicles&w1=Recreational+v ehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dea ler&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=DAU kCKkU7Dzhn_ObWmSYTw> vehicles Wanderlodge <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Wanderlodge&w1=Recreational+vehicles&w2 =Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5=Use d+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=Z-8HJdysB3QLP j9U0JvqYQ> Automotive <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Automotive+maintenance&w1=Recreational+ vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+de aler&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=IF 4u_5wI8Pmy34cC1O9CxA> maintenance Recreational <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w1=Recreati onal+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehic le+dealer&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.s ig=z6_XahaeYHfELr6o72IW1A> vehicle dealer Used <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Used+recreational+vehicles&w1=Recreatio nal+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicl e+dealer&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.si g=UGEY5km4L-kXbDI4ZSadEw> recreational vehicles Automotive <http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Automotive+radiators&w1=Recreational+ve hicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+deal er&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=ePNV MmISsCWgTnMq_4GlXA> radiators _____ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS * Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum> " on the web. * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> . _____ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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12-04-2005, 03:37
Post: #4
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keeping generator engine warm
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 > ><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recr...;vehi\ 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 > >vehicles > ><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Wand...w2=Wa\ nderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5=Used+recre\ ational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=Z-8HJdysB3QLPj9U0JvqYQ>W\ anderlodge > ><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Auto...3;veh\ icles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5\ =Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=IF4u_5wI8Pmy3\ 4cC1O9CxA>Automotive > >maintenance > ><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Recr...tiona\ l+vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+deal\ er&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=z6_Xahae\ YHfELr6o72IW1A>Recreational > >vehicle dealer > ><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Used...ional\ +vehicles&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+deale\ r&w5=Used+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=UGEY5km4L\ -kXbDI4ZSadEw>Used > >recreational vehicles > ><http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Auto...vehic\ les&w2=Wanderlodge&w3=Automotive+maintenance&w4=Recreational+vehicle+dealer&w5=U\ sed+recreational+vehicles&w6=Automotive+radiators&c=6&s=163&.sig=ePNVMmISsCWgTnM\ q_4GlXA>Automotive > >radiators > > > > > >---------- > >YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > > * Visit your group > > "<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum>WanderlodgeForum" on the web. > > * > > * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > > * > > odgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > * > > * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the > > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service. > > > > > >---------- > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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12-04-2005, 03:47
Post: #5
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keeping generator engine warm
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" > > 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 |
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12-04-2005, 04:05
Post: #6
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keeping generator engine warm
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" > > > > > > 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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12-04-2005, 04:08
Post: #7
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keeping generator engine warm
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" > > > > > > 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 > > > > > > > SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Automotive maintenance Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles Automotive radiators ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "wanderlodge" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: wanderlodge-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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