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

[doug_ngl]

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"

[Jeff Miller]

Yes, DON'T!!

My first WL was an FC31 with a special ordered LP genset. It gobbled
up LP fast, which needed to be re-fueled in a different place than the
diesel tank. Most RVers with LP gensets wish they had diesel gensets,
but diesel gensets are too expensive for many of the plastic
disposable RVs.

The perkins is likely fine. It might need the injection nozzles
serviced, probably a valve adjust, and run the glow plugs to start it
so that it doesn't smoke. It isn't a particularly quiet or clean-
starting engine, but it is reliable and will last a long time. If it
has lots of blowby it might be tired, or might have stuck rings from
lots of poor quality oil. Most likely it will outlast the generator
end.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "doug_ngl"
wrote:
<<snip>> 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"
>

[davidkerryedwards]

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"
>

[Tom Warner]

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
>
>
>

[M Thomas Eastham]

Doug,
If you are ever down in Houston, I can take a look at that Perkins
for you. Diesel Generators is one of my specialties :-)

BTW: I have been working on a propane forklift all week... propane
is nasty, expensive and dangerous IMHO. I would never recommend a
propane Generator except maybe in a stationary application where
Natural Gas was piped in.

83' FC35 Houston, TX

M Thomas Eastham
http://www.houstonheavy.com
713-851-9693
thomase@...





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

[Wilhelmus Schreurs]

Doug:
I started my Perkins when it was -22F, and yeah it smoke on startup, I could
have held the glow plugs longer I guess. Once it was running though, there was
very little smoke and purred like a kitten. If you decide to get another
generator, I would stick with a diesel, the propane tank is too small, since I
have used it, and watched the loading,
We never seem to be able to load the generator either, so I know the 12.5Kw is
oversized for our usage.

Bill 84 FC 35 SB "$quanderlodge"
Terrace, B.C. Canada




----- Original Message ----
From: Tom Warner
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2006 8:12:54 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
>
>
>




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

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

[Troy Tikalsky]

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]

[davidkerryedwards]

On the other series glow plug engines I have owned, the heavy wires
joining the plugs glowed red when they were operating. With the
series plugs, when one fails, they all fail.
Does anyone know if there is a parallel pencil glow plug retrofit
system for the Perkins. In my experience parallel glow plugs are
far more efficient.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky"
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]
>

[Doug Engel]

Is there any reason not to run an individual wire to each glow plug, like off of
a bus bar? Doug

davidkerryedwards wrote: On the other series
glow plug engines I have owned, the heavy wires
joining the plugs glowed red when they were operating. With the
series plugs, when one fails, they all fail.
Does anyone know if there is a parallel pencil glow plug retrofit
system for the Perkins. In my experience parallel glow plugs are
far more efficient.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Troy Tikalsky"
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]
>





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

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

[Tom Warner]

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
>
>
>