Pokeys fan issue resolved, keeping the bus, generator rebuild?

[Tom Warner]

You have an excellent memory Jeff.
Here is what my Kohler manual says: On a cold engine depress the
preheat switch for 15-20 (But no longer) seconds and then try to
start the engine. Only hold the start switch down for 15-20 seconds
but no longer. If it does not start let the engine come to a complete
stop and then repeat the glow plug sequence for an additional 15-20
seconds and keep that sequence up until it starts.

But just one addition relative to the glow plugs. They are wired in
series and you do not want to put 12VDC to any of them separately as
you stand a good chance of buring it out quickly. Remember in series
the resistance is the total of all 4 plugs and that limits the total
current thru any one of them. If you want to modify the glow plugs to
a parallel configuration you want a glow plug made for that purpose.

tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 03:32 PM 12/7/2006, you wrote:
>Tom's post reminded me of the two toggles on the control box. The
>on/off one has to be on for the glow plugs to operate when the stop
>button is depressed. Later Yanmar gensets have the same switch
>except it is for the primer pump when stop is depressed. Check the
>manual for cold-weather operation of your genset, and I believe that
>20seconds is the max. glow by the manual.
>
> - Jeff Miller
>in Holland, MI
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner
>wrote:
> >
> > 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. 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]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
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>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
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