Kohler Genset Fan Question

[Scott Forman]

Has anyone ever installed a thermostatic control for the Kohler genset
radiator fan? I would see two benefits to doing this:

1) The obvious reduction in noise when fan isn't spinning

2) My gen seems to run at only about 160 degrees except on the hottest
days, meaning that the engine never really "heats up" all the way and,
therefore, never quits smoking. This, of course, leads to more exhaust
odor than is necessary.

Any tips?

Thanks
Scott Forman
82 FC35RB
Memphis

[mbulriss]

Scott,

Interesting comment you posted, based on my recent experience:

>2) My gen seems to run at only about 160 degrees except on the
> hottest days, meaning that the engine never really "heats up"
> all the way and,therefore, never quits smoking. This, of course,
> leads to more exhaust odor than is necessary.

The Perkins on my 83 PT40 also runs consistently at 160 and used to
smoke continuously, like yours is doing. I just changed the Perkins
"lift pump" (aka fuel pump in the U.S.) and sealed up some fuel line
air leaks in the process of doing so. It just dawned on me over this
past weekend while I was running the genset that there was no smoke,
less odor, and the Perkins seemed to be running smoother than ever
before. I am left to wonder if the smoke problem was *more* due to a
fuel mixture problem all along, thanks to the developing air leaks?
The Perkins always took two tries to get it started and now it starts
immediately, so I guess I have had the minor air leaks for some time....

My 2 cents since you asked for tips.

Mike Bulriss
1983 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale and all shined up for the new owner
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan" - maybe I can get time to work on it now!
San Antonio, TX



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@r...>
wrote:
>
> Has anyone ever installed a thermostatic control for the Kohler genset
> radiator fan? I would see two benefits to doing this:
>
> 1) The obvious reduction in noise when fan isn't spinning
>
> 2) My gen seems to run at only about 160 degrees except on the hottest
> days, meaning that the engine never really "heats up" all the way and,
> therefore, never quits smoking. This, of course, leads to more exhaust
> odor than is necessary.
>
> Any tips?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

[Jay Darst]

If anyone has done or knows the parts and procedure to make the
Perkins cooling fan a 2 speed, I am very interested in that upgrade!

Jay Darst
85PT40
Springfield, IL
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
<sforman@r...> wrote:
>
> Has anyone ever installed a thermostatic control for the Kohler
genset
> radiator fan? I would see two benefits to doing this:
>
> 1) The obvious reduction in noise when fan isn't spinning
>
> 2) My gen seems to run at only about 160 degrees except on the
hottest
> days, meaning that the engine never really "heats up" all the way
and,
> therefore, never quits smoking. This, of course, leads to more
exhaust
> odor than is necessary.
>
> Any tips?
>
> Thanks
> Scott Forman
> 82 FC35RB
> Memphis
>

[indynotjones]

Hi Jay, Look at the Vintage Birds site, a write up by John
Fahnestock, around Nov 02 (or before). He lists:
Model A type fan blade with Flex Fan DERALE 19117 from NAPA
hub BROWNING H 5/8 with reversed direction of flow
He added a pancake fan IMPERIAL 221616 Autozone, a 12vdc fan that
draws 10 amps and is very quiet
DPDT relay GRAINGER P/N 5X848E with a selector switch

He said main fan amps went from 9 to 5 and the noise level dropped off

I am just quoting this from a printout and claim NO expertise or
knowledge about any of it.

By the way, thanks for the info on the diesel Jeeps. I can't affort
the Indiana taxes for a new vehicle right now, but as soon as I can
get relocated to a more tax friendly state I will be over to get
one. It might be a couple of years!

Lee Benson, 85FC35, Carthage, IN
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst"
wrote:
>
> If anyone has done or knows the parts and procedure to make the
> Perkins cooling fan a 2 speed, I am very interested in that upgrade!

[Tom Warner]

Should be fairly simple to add a thermostatic cut in/out in series
with the motor, similar to the one connected under the rear bed for
the freeeze protection heateron the Forward control models. Since the
generator motor runs constantly when the generator is running
(indicates that the generator is working), you could T off the
temperature sender and add a new sender calibrated for what ever
temperature you want the motor to go on. It would be similar to the
sender used for the Horton air fan on the Cat 3208. Mine now goes on
at 205 degrees and off at about 190. Just a thought and a simple way
of doing it.

tom warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY


At 03:54 PM 1/31/2006, you wrote:
>Hi Jay, Look at the Vintage Birds site, a write up by John
>Fahnestock, around Nov 02 (or before). He lists:
>Model A type fan blade with Flex Fan DERALE 19117 from NAPA
>hub BROWNING H 5/8 with reversed direction of flow
>He added a pancake fan IMPERIAL 221616 Autozone, a 12vdc fan that
>draws 10 amps and is very quiet
>DPDT relay GRAINGER P/N 5X848E with a selector switch
>
>He said main fan amps went from 9 to 5 and the noise level dropped off
>
>I am just quoting this from a printout and claim NO expertise or
>knowledge about any of it.
>
>By the way, thanks for the info on the diesel Jeeps. I can't affort
>the Indiana taxes for a new vehicle right now, but as soon as I can
>get relocated to a more tax friendly state I will be over to get
>one. It might be a couple of years!
>
>Lee Benson, 85FC35, Carthage, IN
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst"
> wrote:
> >
> > If anyone has done or knows the parts and procedure to make the
> > Perkins cooling fan a 2 speed, I am very interested in that upgrade!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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