Generator woes

[Todd Desgranges]

Gregory,
Thanks for the memory jog. You know, I believe the reason we had the last gen
set replaced was due to the main shaft being snapped. Relying on a Kohler
Dealer doing the first replacement job, I'm sure I relied on their expertise
during installation and used new spec bearings, etc. However, you just never
know..... Due to the age of the entire unit, I'm leaning more towards a new
generator, and cross this repair off my list.... Thanks for all you help!

Todd Desgranges
'87 Stuart, FL

Gregory OConnor wrote:
Todd, A good local resource for repair on many engine driven items is
a owner operated equipment rental yard. These folks develop a keen
sence for; 'cause of failure','diagnostic for repair','inhouserepair
ability or out-source contacts'. Factory rep repair facilities are
too much into remove and replace.

For the bearing to fail in such a short time, something was
overlooked. Did they replace the old genhead four years ago without
repairing the cause of the oldgenhead failure??? I wonder if the
direct drive has a coupler???? Was the old coupler key used??? Is it
key failure???? I wonder if the mounts on the genhead were changed (
with the new unit) but the mounts on the engine remained soft and the
difference caused raidial stress on the bearing?????? Was the genhead
torqued down to spec?? Did any of the install bolts bottom out??? I
wonder if there is a key (alignment pin) in the bellhouse to the
genhead that was not installed????

When replacing bearings, sometimes repairmen only go for size of fit
and overlook environment. (bearings in a oilbath case are different
than bearings engineered for a hot dry saddle). You should get MFG
specs for the bearing and not trust the code on the failed bearing!!!!
Look for a crack in the bearing saddle???

Starter failure is often due to low battery charge start ups. Low
battery startup is a derived event if your genset uses the house bank
to start. Most starters can be taken in to a specility shop and
rebuilt for less than $200.

Good luck with your repair. Remember to also repair "the cause of
failure"

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "tdesgranges"
wrote:
>
> Hello Everyone!
>
> Long time since I've been here..... I'm having a problem again
with my
> Generator on the '87 Wanderlodge.... I had Kohler work on it for a
> week, misdiagnosed the problem and now I'm in a worse jam. The
> bearing seazed and the main shaft that holds the Generator to the
> Engine snapped. The Kohler repairman informed me that it was an
> injector problem, installed a new starter and handed me a $2,200.00
> bill. After I finished pouting, which took about 2 months, I'm
ready
> to start looking for someone in the South Florida Area, preferably
> Miami, to do the job. I know the Diesel Engine is in good shape,
and I
> had a new Generator portion installed about 4 years ago. We will
be
> heading back North in about a month and sure would like to have an
> operational Generator prior to departure. Any help sure would be
> appreciated. Thanks!!!
> Todd Desgranges
> 87Wanderlodge40
> Stuart, FL
>






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