Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? (/showthread.php?tid=3959) |
Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - doug_ngl - 12-06-2006 13:45 Hey gang, Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the spending begin! Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Jeff Miller - 12-06-2006 13:56 Yes, DON'T!! My first WL was an FC31 with a special ordered LP genset. It gobbled up LP fast, which needed to be re-fueled in a different place than the diesel tank. Most RVers with LP gensets wish they had diesel gensets, but diesel gensets are too expensive for many of the plastic disposable RVs. The perkins is likely fine. It might need the injection nozzles serviced, probably a valve adjust, and run the glow plugs to start it so that it doesn't smoke. It isn't a particularly quiet or clean- starting engine, but it is reliable and will last a long time. If it has lots of blowby it might be tired, or might have stuck rings from lots of poor quality oil. Most likely it will outlast the generator end. - Jeff Miller in Holland, MI --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" wrote: <<snip>> the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - davidkerryedwards - 12-06-2006 14:02 Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many hours does the Perkins have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your glow plugs working right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd probably just keep using it as long as it started fine and produced electricity. The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in very cold temperatures, the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that power to run the block heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity). Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" > > Hey gang, > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > spending begin! > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Tom Warner - 12-06-2006 16:12 As Ernie can tell you the Perkins starts at very cold temperatures IF you know how to start it. First make sure that the glow plugs actually work. If you want the diesel to start right then you need to do the correct preventative maintainance on the generator. If it smokes there is a reason. Depending on the hours you may have to remove the injectors and either clean or replace them. YOu need a good air filter that is clean, and if you have the vertical one that needs to have oil in the bottom, make sure its at the proper level. Treat the Perkins right and it will out last both of us rebuilt my control box and it made a significant difference in starting reliably. tom warner vernon center,ny 1985 PT 40 At 09:02 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote: >Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many >hours does the Perkins >have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your >glow plugs working >right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd >probably just keep using it >as long as it started fine and produced electricity. >The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in >very cold temperatures, >the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that >power to run the block >heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity). > >Kerry >82 FC 35 >Denver > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" > > > > Hey gang, > > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > > spending begin! > > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - M Thomas Eastham - 12-06-2006 16:24 Doug, If you are ever down in Houston, I can take a look at that Perkins for you. Diesel Generators is one of my specialties :-) BTW: I have been working on a propane forklift all week... propane is nasty, expensive and dangerous IMHO. I would never recommend a propane Generator except maybe in a stationary application where Natural Gas was piped in. 83' FC35 Houston, TX M Thomas Eastham http://www.houstonheavy.com 713-851-9693 thomase@... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Wilhelmus Schreurs - 12-07-2006 04:03 Doug: I started my Perkins when it was -22F, and yeah it smoke on startup, I could have held the glow plugs longer I guess. Once it was running though, there was very little smoke and purred like a kitten. If you decide to get another generator, I would stick with a diesel, the propane tank is too small, since I have used it, and watched the loading, We never seem to be able to load the generator either, so I know the 12.5Kw is oversized for our usage. Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge" Terrace, B.C. Canada ----- Original Message ---- From: Tom Warner To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2006 8:12:54 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? As Ernie can tell you the Perkins starts at very cold temperatures IF you know how to start it. First make sure that the glow plugs actually work. If you want the diesel to start right then you need to do the correct preventative maintainance on the generator. If it smokes there is a reason. Depending on the hours you may have to remove the injectors and either clean or replace them. YOu need a good air filter that is clean, and if you have the vertical one that needs to have oil in the bottom, make sure its at the proper level. Treat the Perkins right and it will out last both of us rebuilt my control box and it made a significant difference in starting reliably. tom warner vernon center,ny 1985 PT 40 At 09:02 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote: >Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many >hours does the Perkins >have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your >glow plugs working >right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd >probably just keep using it >as long as it started fine and produced electricity. >The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in >very cold temperatures, >the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that >power to run the block >heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity) . > >Kerry >82 FC 35 >Denver > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "doug_ngl" > > > > Hey gang, > > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > > spending begin! > > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Troy Tikalsky - 12-07-2006 05:28 How do we verify the glow plugs are actually working? Troy Tikalsky ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Warner To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 10:12 PM Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? As Ernie can tell you the Perkins starts at very cold temperatures IF you know how to start it. First make sure that the glow plugs actually work. If you want the diesel to start right then you need to do the correct preventative maintainance on the generator. If it smokes there is a reason. Depending on the hours you may have to remove the injectors and either clean or replace them. YOu need a good air filter that is clean, and if you have the vertical one that needs to have oil in the bottom, make sure its at the proper level. Treat the Perkins right and it will out last both of us rebuilt my control box and it made a significant difference in starting reliably. tom warner vernon center,ny 1985 PT 40 At 09:02 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote: >Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many >hours does the Perkins >have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your >glow plugs working >right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd >probably just keep using it >as long as it started fine and produced electricity. >The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in >very cold temperatures, >the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that >power to run the block >heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity). > >Kerry >82 FC 35 >Denver > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" > > > > Hey gang, > > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > > spending begin! > > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - davidkerryedwards - 12-07-2006 06:02 On the other series glow plug engines I have owned, the heavy wires joining the plugs glowed red when they were operating. With the series plugs, when one fails, they all fail. Does anyone know if there is a parallel pencil glow plug retrofit system for the Perkins. In my experience parallel glow plugs are far more efficient. Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky" > > How do we verify the glow plugs are actually working? > > Troy Tikalsky > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Tom Warner > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 10:12 PM > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? > > > > As Ernie can tell you the Perkins starts at very cold temperatures IF > you know how to start it. First make sure that the glow plugs > actually work. If you want the diesel to start right then you need to > do the correct preventative maintainance on the generator. If it > smokes there is a reason. Depending on the hours you may have to > remove the injectors and either clean or replace them. YOu need a > good air filter that is clean, and if you have the vertical one that > needs to have oil in the bottom, make sure its at the proper level. > Treat the Perkins right and it will out last both of us I > rebuilt my control box and it made a significant difference in > starting reliably. > > tom warner > vernon center,ny > 1985 PT 40 > > At 09:02 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote: > >Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many > >hours does the Perkins > >have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your > >glow plugs working > >right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd > >probably just keep using it > >as long as it started fine and produced electricity. > >The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in > >very cold temperatures, > >the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that > >power to run the block > >heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity). > > > >Kerry > >82 FC 35 > >Denver > > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" wrote: > > > > > > Hey gang, > > > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > > > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > > > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > > > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > > > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > > > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > > > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > > > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > > > spending begin! > > > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > > > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > > > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > > > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > > > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Doug Engel - 12-07-2006 06:13 Is there any reason not to run an individual wire to each glow plug, like off of a bus bar? Doug davidkerryedwards glow plug engines I have owned, the heavy wires joining the plugs glowed red when they were operating. With the series plugs, when one fails, they all fail. Does anyone know if there is a parallel pencil glow plug retrofit system for the Perkins. In my experience parallel glow plugs are far more efficient. Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky" > > How do we verify the glow plugs are actually working? > > Troy Tikalsky > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Tom Warner > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 10:12 PM > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? > > > > As Ernie can tell you the Perkins starts at very cold temperatures IF > you know how to start it. First make sure that the glow plugs > actually work. If you want the diesel to start right then you need to > do the correct preventative maintainance on the generator. If it > smokes there is a reason. Depending on the hours you may have to > remove the injectors and either clean or replace them. YOu need a > good air filter that is clean, and if you have the vertical one that > needs to have oil in the bottom, make sure its at the proper level. > Treat the Perkins right and it will out last both of us I > rebuilt my control box and it made a significant difference in > starting reliably. > > tom warner > vernon center,ny > 1985 PT 40 > > At 09:02 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote: > >Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many > >hours does the Perkins > >have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your > >glow plugs working > >right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd > >probably just keep using it > >as long as it started fine and produced electricity. > >The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in > >very cold temperatures, > >the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that > >power to run the block > >heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity). > > > >Kerry > >82 FC 35 > >Denver > > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" wrote: > > > > > > Hey gang, > > > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > > > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > > > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > > > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > > > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > > > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > > > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > > > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > > > spending begin! > > > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > > > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > > > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > > > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > > > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild? - Tom Warner - 12-07-2006 06:17 YOu can activate the glow plugs from the control box in the generator as well as in the two positions inside the coach. Open up the generator tray, activate the glow plugs by either depressing the glo plug switch on the control box if your specific model has it, or depress the start switch the opposite direction and you will hear the glow plug relay click on. You can check each glowplug with a ohmeter for resistance by taking off each terminal and checking the center to ground. If there is a resistance its good. I dont have a diagram for the glow plugs so unless I go to the shop and check it cant tell you how to check the glow plugs with a voltmeter. I believe however they are in series so checking each one with a voltmeter will show either a voltage (DC) or none at all if that one is bad. I suspect that they have been very rarely used so are probably good. Most owners never knew the generator had that feature. good luck tom warner vernon center,ny 1985 PT 40 Home for an hour to eat. working on that XX???@@### hot water heater to add a way of winterizing the freshwater system. At 12:28 PM 12/7/2006, you wrote: >How do we verify the glow plugs are actually working? > >Troy Tikalsky > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Tom Warner > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 10:12 PM > Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Pokeys fan issue resolved, > keeping the bus, generator rebuild? > > > > As Ernie can tell you the Perkins starts at very cold temperatures IF > you know how to start it. First make sure that the glow plugs > actually work. If you want the diesel to start right then you need to > do the correct preventative maintainance on the generator. If it > smokes there is a reason. Depending on the hours you may have to > remove the injectors and either clean or replace them. YOu need a > good air filter that is clean, and if you have the vertical one that > needs to have oil in the bottom, make sure its at the proper level. > Treat the Perkins right and it will out last both of us > rebuilt my control box and it made a significant difference in > starting reliably. > > tom warner > vernon center,ny > 1985 PT 40 > > At 09:02 PM 12/6/2006, you wrote: > >Glad to hear you are as sick minded as the rest of us. How many > >hours does the Perkins > >have on it? Could the smoking be causes by the altitude? Are your > >glow plugs working > >right? I'd do a compression check before rebuilding it, but I'd > >probably just keep using it > >as long as it started fine and produced electricity. > >The one distinct advantage of a non-diesel generator, is that in > >very cold temperatures, > >the generator will start more reliably and then you can use that > >power to run the block > >heater on the car (when there's no access to electricity). > > > >Kerry > >82 FC 35 > >Denver > > > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl" > > > > > > Hey gang, > > > Just thought I'd share a success. After testing the switch, checking > > > for current at the fan, jumpering power to the fan to see if I had a > > > functional hi speed mode, and finally pulling the dash, I found a poor > > > connection at the gang plug connecting the switch harness to the fan > > > harness. Cleaned it and used dielectric grease, works like a champ. > > > Just another note, after much thought, I've decided to keep Pokey, > > > at least for now. I did have her listed for sale, but the darn thing > > > keeps growing on me. I guess it's a sickness we all share. So let the > > > spending begin! > > > Lastly, the 12.5KW genset works well, but smokes a fair amount, > > > mostly at startup. I don't forsee useing it much, but it is a nice > > > option. I have considered rebuilding the Perkins, or replacing the it > > > with a propane fired unit...any words of advice?? > > > Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, 1981 FC35SB, "Pokey" > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > >[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > |