Generator Noise on FC Passenger Side

[Andy Coleman]

Fellow Wanderlodgers:

I was sitting under my main awning the other day sipping a beer and
yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few feet away. The Perkins
generator was running.

The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC is the placement of
that generator - right by the door under you main awning where people
hang out.

And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!

Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet Onan or Powertech? Is
there hope that I might one day be able to talk without yelling?

Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their Perkins to make it
quieter?

It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I imagine a newer
generator would do much better on the fuel efficiency side too.

Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!

Andy Coleman
83 FC35
Spring Lake Hts., NJ

[Blair]

At 06:55 AM 4/8/2006, you wrote:
>.
>It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I imagine a newer
>generator would do much better on the fuel efficiency side too.
>
>.
>
>Sure does, 1800 rpm what ever the load, and yes, the new generators

are more fuel efficient, but not by much. Rule of thumb is
9.5kw/hour/gallon of diesel.

Blair in Oregon


.

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

[John]

Andy,

Check out all of the modifications that I have made to my Perkins
genset, they made a great improvement in sound reduction, starting at;

http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793


"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
'66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
wrote:
>
> Fellow Wanderlodgers:
>
> I was sitting under my main awning the other day sipping a beer and
> yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few feet away. The
Perkins
> generator was running.
>
> The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC is the placement of
> that generator - right by the door under you main awning where
people
> hang out.
>
> And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
>
> Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet Onan or Powertech?
Is
> there hope that I might one day be able to talk without yelling?
>
> Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their Perkins to make it
> quieter?
>
> It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I imagine a newer
> generator would do much better on the fuel efficiency side too.
>
> Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
>
> Andy Coleman
> 83 FC35
> Spring Lake Hts., NJ
>

[pattypape]

Hey John,

Great job, where did you purchase the new squirrel cage and motor??

Bill 88 FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
wrote:
>
> Andy,
>
> Check out all of the modifications that I have made to my Perkins
> genset, they made a great improvement in sound reduction, starting
at;
>
> http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793
>
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
> BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> GO TO;
> http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
>
> ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> wrote:
> >
> > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> >
> > I was sitting under my main awning the other day sipping a beer
and
> > yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few feet away. The
> Perkins
> > generator was running.
> >
> > The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC is the
placement of
> > that generator - right by the door under you main awning where
> people
> > hang out.
> >
> > And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
> >
> > Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet Onan or
Powertech?
> Is
> > there hope that I might one day be able to talk without yelling?
> >
> > Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their Perkins to make
it
> > quieter?
> >
> > It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I imagine a newer
> > generator would do much better on the fuel efficiency side too.
> >
> > Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
> >
> > Andy Coleman
> > 83 FC35
> > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> >
>

[dr71@...>]

>
> From: "Andy Coleman"
> Date: 2006/04/08 Sat AM 09:55:04 EDT
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator Noise on FC Passenger Side
>
> I have found that WRICO 541-744-4333 in Eugene,Oregon is a wealth of knowledge
concerning generators and soundproofing materials. I also think most of you
would really enjoy reading bus conversion magazine which also adresses many of
the issues concerning us
Bird owners. Many thanks to all who responded to my inverter question.

[John Suter]

Hi John,

Another fantastic job, well documented and well
photographed. Thanks from all of us who benefit and
learn. Now for a couple of questions:

1. What material is the oil fill funnel made from, and
is the shape we see, the original shape? I have a
similar "fill problem" I'd like to fix on a
whole-house generator which currently requires
disassembly of the entire shroud to fill.

2. What do you call the unique "squared off" 90 degree
brass elbow which is part of the oil drain valve
assembly?

Love that PB Buster!
The electrical resistor you identified and appear to
question, looks like the type we used to use to bleed
off a "load" across a large "smoothing" capacitor; or
it may be an "old timey" shunt resistor for an amp
meter. You say it has no impact on the gen opn; it
may impact an amp meter - its initial heat may
indicate it is bleeding off a starting load, as the
relatively small connecting wires do not appear
designed for a continuous, high current application.
If you find it is used as a meter shunt, you might
consider replacing with the type and style BB
currently uses.

John Suter


--- John wrote:

> Andy,
>
> Check out all of the modifications that I have made
> to my Perkins
> genset, they made a great improvement in sound
> reduction, starting at;
>
> http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793
>
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
> BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING
> ADVENTURE
> GO TO;
> http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
>
>
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy
> Coleman"
> wrote:
> >
> > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> >
> > I was sitting under my main awning the other day
> sipping a beer and
> > yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few
> feet away. The
> Perkins
> > generator was running.
> >
> > The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC
> is the placement of
> > that generator - right by the door under you main
> awning where
> people
> > hang out.
> >
> > And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
> >
> > Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet
> Onan or Powertech?
> Is
> > there hope that I might one day be able to talk
> without yelling?
> >
> > Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their
> Perkins to make it
> > quieter?
> >
> > It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I
> imagine a newer
> > generator would do much better on the fuel
> efficiency side too.
> >
> > Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
> >
> > Andy Coleman
> > 83 FC35
> > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> >
>
>
>
>
>


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

[rwoodysurplus]

I HAVE PHOTOS ALSO ON THIS SITE WHERE I DONE THE SAME BUT NOT WITH
THE OTHER
FAN'http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/W.../photos/br
owse/c225
THANKS'
woody fc rb1981
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, John Suter
wrote:
>
> Hi John,
>
> Another fantastic job, well documented and well
> photographed. Thanks from all of us who benefit and
> learn. Now for a couple of questions:
>
> 1. What material is the oil fill funnel made from, and
> is the shape we see, the original shape? I have a
> similar "fill problem" I'd like to fix on a
> whole-house generator which currently requires
> disassembly of the entire shroud to fill.
>
> 2. What do you call the unique "squared off" 90 degree
> brass elbow which is part of the oil drain valve
> assembly?
>
> Love that PB Buster!
> The electrical resistor you identified and appear to
> question, looks like the type we used to use to bleed
> off a "load" across a large "smoothing" capacitor; or
> it may be an "old timey" shunt resistor for an amp
> meter. You say it has no impact on the gen opn; it
> may impact an amp meter - its initial heat may
> indicate it is bleeding off a starting load, as the
> relatively small connecting wires do not appear
> designed for a continuous, high current application.
> If you find it is used as a meter shunt, you might
> consider replacing with the type and style BB
> currently uses.
>
> John Suter
>
>
> --- John wrote:
>
> > Andy,
> >
> > Check out all of the modifications that I have made
> > to my Perkins
> > genset, they made a great improvement in sound
> > reduction, starting at;
> >
> > http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793
> >
> >
> > "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> > John Finn
> > '82 35FCRB
> > BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> > TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING
> > ADVENTURE
> > GO TO;
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> > '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> > SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> > HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
> >
> >
> ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy
> > Coleman"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> > >
> > > I was sitting under my main awning the other day
> > sipping a beer and
> > > yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few
> > feet away. The
> > Perkins
> > > generator was running.
> > >
> > > The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC
> > is the placement of
> > > that generator - right by the door under you main
> > awning where
> > people
> > > hang out.
> > >
> > > And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
> > >
> > > Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet
> > Onan or Powertech?
> > Is
> > > there hope that I might one day be able to talk
> > without yelling?
> > >
> > > Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their
> > Perkins to make it
> > > quieter?
> > >
> > > It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I
> > imagine a newer
> > > generator would do much better on the fuel
> > efficiency side too.
> > >
> > > Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
> > >
> > > Andy Coleman
> > > 83 FC35
> > > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

[John]

Bill,

i have added this information to my web site photo;

http://upload.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361799

THE FAN ASSEMBLY IS THE SAME MODEL THAT IS USED IN LATER MODEL
PT `BIRDS.

I PURCHASED THE PARTS AT JOHNSTONE SUPPLY IN GAINESVILLE, FLA.

THE PART NUMBERS ARE:
(THE JOHNSTONE NUMBERS ARE IN PARENTHESES)
38-2515-04 BLOWER ASSEMBLY
(X90-138)
DI056 MOTOR
(S88-542)
POC7.5 CAPACITOR (G21-933)

TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDING TAX WAS

$166.45

I would assume that you could purchase all of the parts at any
electrical distributor.


"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
'66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "pattypape"
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Hey John,
>
> Great job, where did you purchase the new squirrel cage and
motor??
>
> Bill 88 FC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
> wrote:
> >
> > Andy,
> >
> > Check out all of the modifications that I have made to my Perkins
> > genset, they made a great improvement in sound reduction,
starting
> at;
> >
> > http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793
> >
> >
> > "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> > John Finn
> > '82 35FCRB
> > BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> > TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> > GO TO;
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> > '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> > SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> > HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
> >
> > ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> > >
> > > I was sitting under my main awning the other day sipping a beer
> and
> > > yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few feet away. The
> > Perkins
> > > generator was running.
> > >
> > > The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC is the
> placement of
> > > that generator - right by the door under you main awning where
> > people
> > > hang out.
> > >
> > > And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
> > >
> > > Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet Onan or
> Powertech?
> > Is
> > > there hope that I might one day be able to talk without yelling?
> > >
> > > Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their Perkins to make
> it
> > > quieter?
> > >
> > > It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I imagine a newer
> > > generator would do much better on the fuel efficiency side
too.
> > >
> > > Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
> > >
> > > Andy Coleman
> > > 83 FC35
> > > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> > >
> >
>

[John]

John,

Thanks for the compliments, I try to do all of my modifications
desriptions with a lot of detail, as if I were trying to follow it
myself and I need all of the help that I can get.

(1) The oil funnel is just PVC plumbing pipe and joints, it does not
drain completely due to the slight up hill angle of the longer tube
and leaves a small amount of oil in the tube and lower part of the
funnell but not that much, it is easier to top off the oil using it
than going through the process of opening the drawer, which as you
saw still works too, I just pour the small amount of oil back into
the container. The shape of it is the way I put it together and the
parts were purchased at Lowes in the plumbing department including
the large upper part of the funnell, which is a reducer.

(2) the brass fittings and ball valve that make up the oil drain
assembly are also from the plumbing department at Lowes, you would
think that I'm a plumber for all of the time I spend in that
department. I failed to identify the "Squared Off 90 degree itting"
as a Parker valve fitting that I had on hand here in my shop, but any
brass 90 degree fitting would work.

The guy that has done all of my generator repairs for the past 20
years, resolved the issue with the resisitor, but I can't remembr
what he did, but it doesn't get as hot as it was doing when I took
that photo and has worked with no other problems since then.


"REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
John Finn
'82 35FCRB
BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
GO TO;
http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
'66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, John Suter
wrote:
>
> Hi John,
>
> Another fantastic job, well documented and well
> photographed. Thanks from all of us who benefit and
> learn. Now for a couple of questions:
>
> 1. What material is the oil fill funnel made from, and
> is the shape we see, the original shape? I have a
> similar "fill problem" I'd like to fix on a
> whole-house generator which currently requires
> disassembly of the entire shroud to fill.
>
> 2. What do you call the unique "squared off" 90 degree
> brass elbow which is part of the oil drain valve
> assembly?
>
> Love that PB Buster!
> The electrical resistor you identified and appear to
> question, looks like the type we used to use to bleed
> off a "load" across a large "smoothing" capacitor; or
> it may be an "old timey" shunt resistor for an amp
> meter. You say it has no impact on the gen opn; it
> may impact an amp meter - its initial heat may
> indicate it is bleeding off a starting load, as the
> relatively small connecting wires do not appear
> designed for a continuous, high current application.
> If you find it is used as a meter shunt, you might
> consider replacing with the type and style BB
> currently uses.
>
> John Suter
>
>
> --- John wrote:
>
> > Andy,
> >
> > Check out all of the modifications that I have made
> > to my Perkins
> > genset, they made a great improvement in sound
> > reduction, starting at;
> >
> > http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793
> >
> >
> > "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> > John Finn
> > '82 35FCRB
> > BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> > TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING
> > ADVENTURE
> > GO TO;
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> > '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> > SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> > HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
> >
> >
> ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy
> > Coleman"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> > >
> > > I was sitting under my main awning the other day
> > sipping a beer and
> > > yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few
> > feet away. The
> > Perkins
> > > generator was running.
> > >
> > > The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC
> > is the placement of
> > > that generator - right by the door under you main
> > awning where
> > people
> > > hang out.
> > >
> > > And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
> > >
> > > Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet
> > Onan or Powertech?
> > Is
> > > there hope that I might one day be able to talk
> > without yelling?
> > >
> > > Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their
> > Perkins to make it
> > > quieter?
> > >
> > > It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I
> > imagine a newer
> > > generator would do much better on the fuel
> > efficiency side too.
> > >
> > > Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
> > >
> > > Andy Coleman
> > > 83 FC35
> > > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

[Scott Forman]

John,

I have enjoyed your web site tremendously, and plan on employing
several of your modifications to my 82 FC.

A question for you...do you think it would be possible to employ a
squirrel cage fan on the gen radiator without changing the location?
I envision having the squirrel cage mounted with the 'intake' side
drawing through the radiator and the outlet blowing down on the the
tray.

Your thoughts?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John"
wrote:
>
> Andy,
>
> Check out all of the modifications that I have made to my Perkins
> genset, they made a great improvement in sound reduction, starting
at;
>
> http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/52361793
>
>
> "REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001"
> John Finn
> '82 35FCRB
> BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE
> TO VISIT THE "FINN'S INN EXPRESS" REMODELING ADVENTURE
> GO TO;
> http://www.pbase.com/image/24977457
> '66 SUPERIOR / IH 392 GAS V8 32' PUSHER "FOR SALE"
> SEE THE OLD COACH AT:
> http://www.pbase.com/image/26052733
> HOPKINS, SOUTH CAROLINA
>
> ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> wrote:
> >
> > Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> >
> > I was sitting under my main awning the other day sipping a beer
and
> > yelling to my girlfriend who was sitting a few feet away. The
> Perkins
> > generator was running.
> >
> > The one thing I really don't like about my 83 FC is the placement
of
> > that generator - right by the door under you main awning where
> people
> > hang out.
> >
> > And that giant Perkins generator is no quiet unit!
> >
> > Has anybody replaced their Perkins with a quiet Onan or
Powertech?
> Is
> > there hope that I might one day be able to talk without yelling?
> >
> > Has anybody found a way to sound insulate their Perkins to make it
> > quieter?
> >
> > It also seems the Perkins only has one speed. I imagine a newer
> > generator would do much better on the fuel efficiency side too.
> >
> > Anybody have wisdom to share on this? Thanks!
> >
> > Andy Coleman
> > 83 FC35
> > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> >
>