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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[Todd Desgranges]

RE,
I believe it's a John Deere.....
Todd
'87 Stuart, FL

putneyflash@... wrote:
Eric: If its a perkins engine a caterpillar daeler generator shop may
be able to help.

RE in Georgia
>
> From: "Eric Johnson"
> Date: 2007/03/07 Wed AM 09:06:10 EST
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Generator Woes
>
> Todd,
> From your story, I'm pretty sure you've decided to stick with the original
Kohler generator
> since you've put quite a bit of effort and money into it. However, you may
want to
> consider replacing the whole unit with a new diesel generator from Powertech.
You don't
> have to shell out many $2,200 repair bills before you've bought a new
generator.
> Powertech's factory is located in Leesburg Florida. They're easy to work with.
They let us
> stay in our coach overnight at the plant while they did an install for us.
> Eric in San Antonio
> 84FC35SBWL2
>
> --- 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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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Curt Sprenger]

Todd,
Our '87 has the Yanmar diesel engine driving the alternator. Your engine
is probable a Yanmar. Yanmar makes engines and small tractors, and
markets some of them through John Deere in the US.

.Curt Sprenger

1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Todd Desgranges wrote:

> RE,
> I believe it's a John Deere.....
> Todd
> '87 Stuart, FL
>
> putneyflash@... wrote:
> Eric: If its a perkins engine a caterpillar daeler generator shop may
> be able to help.
>
> RE in Georgia
> >
> > From: "Eric Johnson" >
> > Date: 2007/03/07 Wed AM 09:06:10 EST
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
>
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Generator Woes
> >
> > Todd,
> > From your story, I'm pretty sure you've decided to stick with the
> original Kohler generator
> > since you've put quite a bit of effort and money into it. However,
> you may want to
> > consider replacing the whole unit with a new diesel generator from
> Powertech. You don't
> > have to shell out many $2,200 repair bills before you've bought a
> new generator.
> > Powertech's factory is located in Leesburg Florida. They're easy to
> work with. They let us
> > stay in our coach overnight at the plant while they did an install
> for us.
> > Eric in San Antonio
> > 84FC35SBWL2
> >
> > --- 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
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> ---------------------------------
> Never miss an email again!
> Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

[Eric Johnson]

Todd,
We bought the largest totally enclosed unit that would fit in our gen
compartment which
was the Powertech 8 KW. We wanted a totally enclosed unit for the sound
reduction and it
is much quieter than the original gen. The powerplant is a 3 cylinder Kubota
diesel and it
has been very reliable. We have over 1,000 trouble free hours on it. We chose
Powertech
on the recommendation of Blue Bird tech staff who said they were the generator
supplier
for new BB's.

We have two roof a/c's and the unit has never bogged down with any electrical
load we've
put on it. If you want to run 3 a/c's, you probably need a higher capacity
generator than
the 8 KW.

Our original and replacement generators both had the radiator mounted together
with the
unit as one package. The installed cost of the new generator in 2001 was $6323
with tax.
Powertech labor to remove the old generator and install the new one was $800 and
is
included in the above price.

Your coach generator compartment dimensions are probably different from our FC.
If you
want to explore this idea further, I suggest you contact Powertech directly at
the factory.
Their number is (352) 365-2777.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Todd Desgranges wrote:
>
> Hello Eric,
> I've been thinking about the new replacement because we depend on the unit
so much.
Did you install a new 12.5K or a different size? What did your new generator
and
installation cost? Also, did you keep the remote radiator, or get an all
inclusive generator
in its own case? If I'm going to be keeping this Coach for awhile, that might
be my best
bet. Thanks for all your help!
>
> Todd Desgranges
>
>
> Eric Johnson wrote:
> Todd,
> From your story, I'm pretty sure you've decided to stick with the original
Kohler
generator
> since you've put quite a bit of effort and money into it. However, you may
want to
> consider replacing the whole unit with a new diesel generator from Powertech.
You don't
> have to shell out many $2,200 repair bills before you've bought a new
generator.
> Powertech's factory is located in Leesburg Florida. They're easy to work with.
They let us
> stay in our coach overnight at the plant while they did an install for us.
> Eric in San Antonio
> 84FC35SBWL2
>
> --- 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
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Don't pick lemons.
> See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[robertnloomas]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Todd Desgranges
wrote:

Hi Todd About five years ago I replace my old worn out Kohler
generator with a 12kw powertech 4 cyllinder kubota.Have not had any
trouble with the new unit.I did keep the remote radiator and and fan.
Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
> RE,
> I believe it's a John Deere.....
> Todd
> '87 Stuart, FL
>
> putneyflash@... wrote:
> Eric: If its a perkins engine a caterpillar daeler
generator shop may be able to help.
>
> RE in Georgia
> >
> > From: "Eric Johnson"
> > Date: 2007/03/07 Wed AM 09:06:10 EST
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Generator Woes
> >
> > Todd,
> > From your story, I'm pretty sure you've decided to stick with
the original Kohler generator
> > since you've put quite a bit of effort and money into it.
However, you may want to
> > consider replacing the whole unit with a new diesel generator
from Powertech. You don't
> > have to shell out many $2,200 repair bills before you've bought
a new generator.
> > Powertech's factory is located in Leesburg Florida. They're easy
to work with. They let us
> > stay in our coach overnight at the plant while they did an
install for us.
> > Eric in San Antonio
> > 84FC35SBWL2
> >
> > --- 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
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Never miss an email again!
> Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it
out.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Todd, if you reengineere the bus with a new genset be sure to realize
heat and airflow. Some of the box gensets are self insulated and
require flow past heat sinks. If you stuff a box in your box, you
may generate too much heat.

I have no basis for this assumption but I wonder if the Onan RV Box
sets are built to hold up to long duty use like the Big
powertecs????? I wonder if the boxset powertecs are built to compete
with the Onan RV market sets????? I have some portable light towers
for construction sites that have over 10,000 hours and run very
well. The gen heads and engines are much like the setup in the birds
except for the mufflers , noise insulation and load. The towers are
loaded to the max most of the time and I understand that it is better
for the genset to be loaded up when it runs. I have several Homedepot
gensets that run well but I do not think they will last more then the
intended 100 hours per the year.

If you make a change, this forum may be a good place to get a feel
for salvage value of your old gen set. I would say the broken unit
should be worth $2,500?????( however I am not in the market) Other
forum members may shed light on salvage value

Some time it is not a fact of 'throwing good money after bad'. Its
who you have on mound. I hope you find a good tech to help with your
repair or replacement.

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolanCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Johnson"
wrote:
>
> Todd,
> We bought the largest totally enclosed unit that would fit in our
gen compartment which
> was the Powertech 8 KW. We wanted a totally enclosed unit for the
sound reduction and it
> is much quieter than the original gen. The powerplant is a 3
cylinder Kubota diesel and it
> has been very reliable. We have over 1,000 trouble free hours on
it. We chose Powertech
> on the recommendation of Blue Bird tech staff who said they were
the generator supplier
> for new BB's.
>
> We have two roof a/c's and the unit has never bogged down with any
electrical load we've
> put on it. If you want to run 3 a/c's, you probably need a higher
capacity generator than
> the 8 KW.
>
> Our original and replacement generators both had the radiator
mounted together with the
> unit as one package. The installed cost of the new generator in
2001 was $6323 with tax.
> Powertech labor to remove the old generator and install the new one
was $800 and is
> included in the above price.
>
> Your coach generator compartment dimensions are probably different
from our FC. If you
> want to explore this idea further, I suggest you contact Powertech
directly at the factory.
> Their number is (352) 365-2777.
>
> Good luck with whatever you choose to do!
>
> Eric in San Antonio
> 84FC35SBWL2
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Todd Desgranges
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Eric,
> > I've been thinking about the new replacement because we depend
on the unit so much.
> Did you install a new 12.5K or a different size? What did your new
generator and
> installation cost? Also, did you keep the remote radiator, or get
an all inclusive generator
> in its own case? If I'm going to be keeping this Coach for awhile,
that might be my best
> bet. Thanks for all your help!
> >
> > Todd Desgranges
> >
> >
> > Eric Johnson wrote:
> > Todd,
> > From your story, I'm pretty sure you've decided to stick with the
original Kohler
> generator
> > since you've put quite a bit of effort and money into it.
However, you may want to
> > consider replacing the whole unit with a new diesel generator
from Powertech. You don't
> > have to shell out many $2,200 repair bills before you've bought a
new generator.
> > Powertech's factory is located in Leesburg Florida. They're easy
to work with. They let us
> > stay in our coach overnight at the plant while they did an
install for us.
> > Eric in San Antonio
> > 84FC35SBWL2
> >
> > --- 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
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Don't pick lemons.
> > See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[Scott]

Todd, sorry about comming in late to the discussion. I also HAD
Kohler/Perkins problems and the Kohler folks just wanted to "buy and
throw parts at the problem" After about 3K I said uncle and decided
to go new. I too have a new PowerTech 12kw genset and could not be
happier. It was put in our 86FC the install was "creative" to say the
least but none the less it is great. Reliable, QUIET, and new
technology. You will not go wrong with a PowerTech. They are quality
guys.

BUT I have my 12.5kw Kohler/Perkins complete unit still and for sale.
It has about 1800 hrs on it, tons of new part on the Kohler, and the
Perkins runs like a sewing machine, and does not leak a drop of oil.
If interested contact me offline cme4boat(at)aol(dot) com.

Scott B
86FC35
Murrells Inlet SC "right next to the rally" and "was tired of genset
problems"

--- 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
>

[Scott]

Hey Bob, that is what I have. About 1 1/2 yrs old and almost 500
trouble free hours. Could not be happier. We replaced the electric
fan and rad with one that lays on the genset tray and blows down
(keeps the heat away from sitting under the awning, and much quieter)
The fan looks like the one on the hvac unit at the house. Covered
the louvers with a sheet of black painted galv metal to keep the
original looks. My genset was installed horizontally, (front to back
of bus) with less than 3/4 of an inch clearance on the sides. Great
for maintenance, can change the oil with simply sliding out the
genset.

Scott B
86FC
SC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "robertnloomas"
wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Todd Desgranges
> wrote:
>
> Hi Todd About five years ago I replace my old worn out Kohler
> generator with a 12kw powertech 4 cyllinder kubota.Have not had any
> trouble with the new unit.I did keep the remote radiator and and
fan.
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
> >
> > RE,
> > I believe it's a John Deere.....
> > Todd
> > '87 Stuart, FL
> >
> > putneyflash@ wrote:
> > Eric: If its a perkins engine a caterpillar daeler
> generator shop may be able to help.
> >
> > RE in Georgia
> > >
> > > From: "Eric Johnson"
> > > Date: 2007/03/07 Wed AM 09:06:10 EST
> > > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Generator Woes
> > >
> > > Todd,
> > > From your story, I'm pretty sure you've decided to stick with
> the original Kohler generator
> > > since you've put quite a bit of effort and money into it.
> However, you may want to
> > > consider replacing the whole unit with a new diesel generator
> from Powertech. You don't
> > > have to shell out many $2,200 repair bills before you've bought
> a new generator.
> > > Powertech's factory is located in Leesburg Florida. They're
easy
> to work with. They let us
> > > stay in our coach overnight at the plant while they did an
> install for us.
> > > Eric in San Antonio
> > > 84FC35SBWL2
> > >
> > > --- 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
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Never miss an email again!
> > Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it
> out.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>