Powertech Generator -- Fixed... Air Filter

[Pete Masterson]

After driving nearly 1000 miles in the last two days, I guess my
brain is a bit fried.

PowerTech Generator only needed a new air filter. It didn't seem like
I'd run it enough hours since I put a new one in last summer to get
it dirty, but I must have encountered more dust somewhere without
realizing it.
Anyway, swapping in the new air filter and the engine produces
sufficient power -- the voltage read 127 on my multi-meter and is at
the high end of the "green" zone on the meters above the door --
where it normally appears.

As for the various questions ... the generator has just under 3800
hours. The fuel pump is probably the original if I was looking at the
right thing (a silver 'can' on the injector side of the engine --
about the size of one of those 7 oz mini-beer cans). I guess the fuel
pump is original, since it's not black.

Now that I have a fresh air filter installed, there is still some
black smoke to the exhaust (but now I can still see across the
parking lot!) I attribute that to the altitude. (At sea level, the
exhaust tends to be gray/white.)

Thanks for your comments -- it was a real help. I probably would have
changed the filter sooner if I'd realized that it was "full up" so
soon...

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Denver Colorado (after 2 long days on the road from
Tyler Texas)



On Jun 5, 2007, at 6:19 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:

> Yesterday and again today, the Powertech 15kw generator started
> acting up. The problem seems to be the Kubota diesel engine. The
> exhaust is black and sooty and the engine isn't putting out full
> power (noted that the voltage had dropped down to 100 vac from the
> usual 120 vac)
>
> I changed the air filter last summer -- solving a sooty exhaust
> problem (without any loss of power) at that time, but this seems
> more serious. <snip>

[Rob Robinson]

Pete have you thought of changing your fuel filter?

On 05/06/07, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> After driving nearly 1000 miles in the last two days, I guess my
> brain is a bit fried.
>
> PowerTech Generator only needed a new air filter. It didn't seem like
> I'd run it enough hours since I put a new one in last summer to get
> it dirty, but I must have encountered more dust somewhere without
> realizing it.
> Anyway, swapping in the new air filter and the engine produces
> sufficient power -- the voltage read 127 on my multi-meter and is at
> the high end of the "green" zone on the meters above the door --
> where it normally appears.
>
> As for the various questions ... the generator has just under 3800
> hours. The fuel pump is probably the original if I was looking at the
> right thing (a silver 'can' on the injector side of the engine --
> about the size of one of those 7 oz mini-beer cans). I guess the fuel
> pump is original, since it's not black.
>
> Now that I have a fresh air filter installed, there is still some
> black smoke to the exhaust (but now I can still see across the
> parking lot!) I attribute that to the altitude. (At sea level, the
> exhaust tends to be gray/white.)
>
> Thanks for your comments -- it was a real help. I probably would have
> changed the filter sooner if I'd realized that it was "full up" so
> soon...
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at Denver Colorado (after 2 long days on the road from
> Tyler Texas)
>
> On Jun 5, 2007, at 6:19 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> > Yesterday and again today, the Powertech 15kw generator started
> > acting up. The problem seems to be the Kubota diesel engine. The
> > exhaust is black and sooty and the engine isn't putting out full
> > power (noted that the voltage had dropped down to 100 vac from the
> > usual 120 vac)
> >
> > I changed the air filter last summer -- solving a sooty exhaust
> > problem (without any loss of power) at that time, but this seems
> > more serious. <snip>
>
>



--
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
94 WLWB


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

[Leroy Eckert]

Pete I bet you have the same engine V1902 Kubota as I do. The cannister looking
item is the electric fuel pump. When mine failed I was unable to find the exact
same pump and had to convert to a different style which required minor
replumbing. I carry an extra pump with me now. Powertech told me the type of
pump (specific volume) to purchase.
I'm wondering about the white smoke at sea level. I get a puff of black smoke
upon start up which is expected, and it cleans up within a few seconds.
Thereafter mine runs clean without any smoke. I'm wonder if the injectors need a
clean up and possibly the injector pump. Does your engine use any oil over 100
hours because typically white smoke means oil burn. Mine always stays at or
near the full mark. I have 3400 hours on mine. Just curious for future
reference.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40"Smoke N Mirrors"
Niceville, FL
----- Original Message -----
FromPete Masterson
To: Wanderlodge Forum ; Wanderlodge List
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 9:46 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Powertech Generator -- Fixed... Air Filter


After driving nearly 1000 miles in the last two days, I guess my
brain is a bit fried.

PowerTech Generator only needed a new air filter. It didn't seem like
I'd run it enough hours since I put a new one in last summer to get
it dirty, but I must have encountered more dust somewhere without
realizing it.
Anyway, swapping in the new air filter and the engine produces
sufficient power -- the voltage read 127 on my multi-meter and is at
the high end of the "green" zone on the meters above the door --
where it normally appears.

As for the various questions ... the generator has just under 3800
hours. The fuel pump is probably the original if I was looking at the
right thing (a silver 'can' on the injector side of the engine --
about the size of one of those 7 oz mini-beer cans). I guess the fuel
pump is original, since it's not black.

Now that I have a fresh air filter installed, there is still some
black smoke to the exhaust (but now I can still see across the
parking lot!) I attribute that to the altitude. (At sea level, the
exhaust tends to be gray/white.)

Thanks for your comments -- it was a real help. I probably would have
changed the filter sooner if I'd realized that it was "full up" so
soon...

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Denver Colorado (after 2 long days on the road from
Tyler Texas)

On Jun 5, 2007, at 6:19 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:

> Yesterday and again today, the Powertech 15kw generator started
> acting up. The problem seems to be the Kubota diesel engine. The
> exhaust is black and sooty and the engine isn't putting out full
> power (noted that the voltage had dropped down to 100 vac from the
> usual 120 vac)
>
> I changed the air filter last summer -- solving a sooty exhaust
> problem (without any loss of power) at that time, but this seems
> more serious. <snip>




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

[Pete Masterson]

I guess I wasn't clear ... white smoke that clears after a short time
at sea level. (Well, California coast level, any way.) I've seen the
black smoke at elevation before -- but it's just a light soot, not
quite the impressive clouds I was seeing yesterday.

Doesn't seem to have burned any oil... it was well above the add mark
(just below the full mark) last night when I changed the air filter.

I have a receipt that some work was done on the generator by the
previous owner -- but it doesn't (clearly) state what was done. I
note a "new" looking injector (it's brassy color) while all the
others are gray painted.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Denver CO



On Jun 6, 2007, at 6:48 AM, Leroy Eckert wrote:

> Pete I bet you have the same engine V1902 Kubota as I do. The
> cannister looking item is the electric fuel pump. When mine failed
> I was unable to find the exact same pump and had to convert to a
> different style which required minor replumbing. I carry an extra
> pump with me now. Powertech told me the type of pump (specific
> volume) to purchase.
> I'm wondering about the white smoke at sea level. I get a puff of
> black smoke upon start up which is expected, and it cleans up
> within a few seconds. Thereafter mine runs clean without any
> smoke. I'm wonder if the injectors need a clean up and possibly the
> injector pump. Does your engine use any oil over 100 hours because
> typically white smoke means oil burn. Mine always stays at or near
> the full mark. I have 3400 hours on mine. Just curious for future
> reference.