keeping generator engine warm

[Jo-Ski]

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
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----- 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
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----- 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" 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
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

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