Followup Powertech 15kw cooling fan

[Pete Masterson]

Just got the fan and motor back from the service center. Hooked up
the wires, tightened the screws, turned on the generator, and the fan
started right up.

Bay Area prices seem to be involved -- just about double the Anaheim
price. $320 at Koffler Electrical Mechanical Apparatus Repair, Inc.
Included a new motor (GE brand with sealed bearings), clean/paint
housing, rebalance the fan, new capacitor.

I note when I took the fan housing off the radiator that there was a
small bit of dust piled up on the radiator. A thorough wash down with
the garden hose cleared out the accumulation. (But it was pretty
minor and not the cement-like oily dirt that accumulates on the
engine radiator.)

Tomorrow, I change the generator oil and filter. (Oboy!)

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Sep 16, 2007, at 6:15 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:

> Indeed, it sounds much the same. I like this idea. I'll check around
> for a similar shop in this area.
>
> ===============================================
> Pete Masterson
>
> On Sep 16, 2007, at 3:57 PM, Curt Sprenger wrote:
>
>> Pete,
>>
>> If your gen. fan set up is the same as on the 87 PT, which looks
>> like the
>> fan unit for the house furnace, take the whole unit out and take it
>> to a
>> motor shop (AAA Electric Motors in Anaheim is where I took ours). I
>> paid
>> $158.58 for a new motor, clean/paint the housing, new fan/
>> balancing, new
>> capacitor.
>>
>>
>> On 9/16/07, ronmarabito2002 wrote:
>>>
>>> I replaced my fan motor a year ago. You can purchase a
>>> replacement at
>>> any good appliance repair company. It is a 220v motor. You might
>>> have to modify the rubber mountings in the brackets. It is difficult
>>> to remove the fan from the shaft. Soak it well and place the fan on
>>> wood blocks so you can knock the motor shaft out of the fan.
>>>
>>> When you replace it, make sure to balance the motor & fan. There are
>>> small metal clips on the fan blades used to balance it.
>>>
>>> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>>>
>>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com >>> 40yahoogroups.com>,
>>> Pete Masterson
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Just got back from a trip to Oregon. The cooling fan on my
>>>> Powertech
>>>> generator seems to have quit working.
>>>>
>>>> In the few days before the failure, I was noticing a very serious
>>>> (but transient) amperage draw on leg one accompanied by dimmed
>>>> lights
>>>> in the coach. These lasted from one-two seconds up to about 10
>>>> seconds (infrequently). At first, I suspected one of the AC
>>>> units --
>>>> but the problem didn't occur on shore power.
>>>>
>>>> Finally, the generator would run for 20 minutes or so -- then just
>>>> quit-- with the water temp gauge showing a high temperature. After
>>>> allowing an hour of so for cool down, the generator would start
>>>> up --
>>>> and run for awhile until the temperature got too high again.
>>>>
>>>> The water is full up (as it has been). Oil is OK -- and so on.
>>>>
>>>> However, the fan simply doesn't cycle on.
>>>>
>>>> I searched the archives -- but there don't seem to be specific
>>>> discussions of what to do when the fan simply doesn't work. (I'm
>>>> guessing I have to replace the fan motor.)
>>>>
>>>> Any comments and suggestions where to get a replacement fan motor?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Pete Masterson
>>>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>>>> El Sobrante CA
>>>> aeonix1@...
>>>>
>>>>



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

[Gregory OConnor]

Pete, did you see the pic of the genset fan bay on one of the ebay
pt93's? there is something mounted on the fan???? I wonder if it is a
remote start compasitor, or rpm, cfm, gauge??????

on my 94 there is a deflector under the radiator towards the middle
of the bus that directs 30% of the air blowing down through the
radiator towards the street. I believe that 30% takes the other 70%
past the bay door and keeps dust from blowing back up into the fan
intake. I noticed several units have the deflector removed????

GregoryO'Conno
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> Just got the fan and motor back from the service center. Hooked up
> the wires, tightened the screws, turned on the generator, and the
fan
> started right up.
>
> Bay Area prices seem to be involved -- just about double the
Anaheim
> price. $320 at Koffler Electrical Mechanical Apparatus Repair,
Inc.
> Included a new motor (GE brand with sealed bearings), clean/paint
> housing, rebalance the fan, new capacitor.
>
> I note when I took the fan housing off the radiator that there was
a
> small bit of dust piled up on the radiator. A thorough wash down
with
> the garden hose cleared out the accumulation. (But it was pretty
> minor and not the cement-like oily dirt that accumulates on the
> engine radiator.)
>
> Tomorrow, I change the generator oil and filter. (Oboy!)
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
>
>
> On Sep 16, 2007, at 6:15 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> > Indeed, it sounds much the same. I like this idea. I'll check
around
> > for a similar shop in this area.
> >
> > ===============================================
> > Pete Masterson
> >
> > On Sep 16, 2007, at 3:57 PM, Curt Sprenger wrote:
> >
> >> Pete,
> >>
> >> If your gen. fan set up is the same as on the 87 PT, which looks
> >> like the
> >> fan unit for the house furnace, take the whole unit out and take
it
> >> to a
> >> motor shop (AAA Electric Motors in Anaheim is where I took
ours). I
> >> paid
> >> $158.58 for a new motor, clean/paint the housing, new fan/
> >> balancing, new
> >> capacitor.
> >>
> >>
> >> On 9/16/07, ronmarabito2002 wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I replaced my fan motor a year ago. You can purchase a
> >>> replacement at
> >>> any good appliance repair company. It is a 220v motor. You might
> >>> have to modify the rubber mountings in the brackets. It is
difficult
> >>> to remove the fan from the shaft. Soak it well and place the
fan on
> >>> wood blocks so you can knock the motor shaft out of the fan.
> >>>
> >>> When you replace it, make sure to balance the motor & fan.
There are
> >>> small metal clips on the fan blades used to balance it.
> >>>
> >>> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
> >>>
> >>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com > >>> 40yahoogroups.com>,
> >>> Pete Masterson
> >>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Just got back from a trip to Oregon. The cooling fan on my
> >>>> Powertech
> >>>> generator seems to have quit working.
> >>>>
> >>>> In the few days before the failure, I was noticing a very
serious
> >>>> (but transient) amperage draw on leg one accompanied by dimmed
> >>>> lights
> >>>> in the coach. These lasted from one-two seconds up to about 10
> >>>> seconds (infrequently). At first, I suspected one of the AC
> >>>> units --
> >>>> but the problem didn't occur on shore power.
> >>>>
> >>>> Finally, the generator would run for 20 minutes or so -- then
just
> >>>> quit-- with the water temp gauge showing a high temperature.
After
> >>>> allowing an hour of so for cool down, the generator would start
> >>>> up --
> >>>> and run for awhile until the temperature got too high again.
> >>>>
> >>>> The water is full up (as it has been). Oil is OK -- and so on.
> >>>>
> >>>> However, the fan simply doesn't cycle on.
> >>>>
> >>>> I searched the archives -- but there don't seem to be specific
> >>>> discussions of what to do when the fan simply doesn't work.
(I'm
> >>>> guessing I have to replace the fan motor.)
> >>>>
> >>>> Any comments and suggestions where to get a replacement fan
motor?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Pete Masterson
> >>>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> >>>> El Sobrante CA
> >>>> aeonix1@
> >>>>
> >>>>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Curt Sprenger]

Pete,
Glad all worked out for you. The shop knew what to do with the unit, for the
better. See ya in a few days at our Buellton rally.

On 9/24/07, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> Just got the fan and motor back from the service center. Hooked up
> the wires, tightened the screws, turned on the generator, and the fan
> started right up.
>
> Bay Area prices seem to be involved -- just about double the Anaheim
> price. $320 at Koffler Electrical Mechanical Apparatus Repair, Inc.
> Included a new motor (GE brand with sealed bearings), clean/paint
> housing, rebalance the fan, new capacitor.
>
> I note when I took the fan housing off the radiator that there was a
> small bit of dust piled up on the radiator. A thorough wash down with
> the garden hose cleared out the accumulation. (But it was pretty
> minor and not the cement-like oily dirt that accumulates on the
> engine radiator.)
>
> Tomorrow, I change the generator oil and filter. (Oboy!)
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> El Sobrante CA
> aeonix1@...
>
> On Sep 16, 2007, at 6:15 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> > Indeed, it sounds much the same. I like this idea. I'll check around
> > for a similar shop in this area.
> >
> > ===============================================
> > Pete Masterson
> >
> > On Sep 16, 2007, at 3:57 PM, Curt Sprenger wrote:
> >
> >> Pete,
> >>
> >> If your gen. fan set up is the same as on the 87 PT, which looks
> >> like the
> >> fan unit for the house furnace, take the whole unit out and take it
> >> to a
> >> motor shop (AAA Electric Motors in Anaheim is where I took ours). I
> >> paid
> >> $158.58 for a new motor, clean/paint the housing, new fan/
> >> balancing, new
> >> capacitor.
> >>
> >>
> >> On 9/16/07, ronmarabito2002 >
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> I replaced my fan motor a year ago. You can purchase a
> >>> replacement at
> >>> any good appliance repair company. It is a 220v motor. You might
> >>> have to modify the rubber mountings in the brackets. It is difficult
> >>> to remove the fan from the shaft. Soak it well and place the fan on
> >>> wood blocks so you can knock the motor shaft out of the fan.
> >>>
> >>> When you replace it, make sure to balance the motor & fan. There are
> >>> small metal clips on the fan blades used to balance it.
> >>>
> >>> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
> >>>
> >>> --- In
WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > >>> 40yahoogroups.com>,
> >>> Pete Masterson
> >>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Just got back from a trip to Oregon. The cooling fan on my
> >>>> Powertech
> >>>> generator seems to have quit working.
> >>>>
> >>>> In the few days before the failure, I was noticing a very serious
> >>>> (but transient) amperage draw on leg one accompanied by dimmed
> >>>> lights
> >>>> in the coach. These lasted from one-two seconds up to about 10
> >>>> seconds (infrequently). At first, I suspected one of the AC
> >>>> units --
> >>>> but the problem didn't occur on shore power.
> >>>>
> >>>> Finally, the generator would run for 20 minutes or so -- then just
> >>>> quit-- with the water temp gauge showing a high temperature. After
> >>>> allowing an hour of so for cool down, the generator would start
> >>>> up --
> >>>> and run for awhile until the temperature got too high again.
> >>>>
> >>>> The water is full up (as it has been). Oil is OK -- and so on.
> >>>>
> >>>> However, the fan simply doesn't cycle on.
> >>>>
> >>>> I searched the archives -- but there don't seem to be specific
> >>>> discussions of what to do when the fan simply doesn't work. (I'm
> >>>> guessing I have to replace the fan motor.)
> >>>>
> >>>> Any comments and suggestions where to get a replacement fan motor?
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Pete Masterson
> >>>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> >>>> El Sobrante CA
> >>>> aeonix1@...
> >>>>
> >>>>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>



--
Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, CA


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

[Pete Masterson]

The genset on the '93 on eBay has the motor capacitor clamped to the
edge of the fan housing. The capacitor on my unit (which looks just
like the one in the photo) is inside a weather-sealed junction box
that's attached to the front (curved) side of the fan housing located
just to the left of the capacitor in the photo.

My coach has a deflector at the front edge of the radiator beneath
the coach. The dust accumulation was roughly aligned with the street-
side edge of the shroud (as the radiator is wider than the fan) --
this is probably an area where an air current eddy forms -- I suspect
that some air (and dirt) is drawn up from the road through the
radiator in the area at the side that's wider than the fan -- then
it's deposited in the 'dead zone' that occurs. I doubt that the
accumulation would ever be significant enough to seriously reduce the
cooling capacity.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



On Sep 24, 2007, at 8:20 PM, Gregory OConnor wrote:

> Pete, did you see the pic of the genset fan bay on one of the ebay
> pt93's? there is something mounted on the fan???? I wonder if it is a
> remote start compasitor, or rpm, cfm, gauge??????
>
> on my 94 there is a deflector under the radiator towards the middle
> of the bus that directs 30% of the air blowing down through the
> radiator towards the street. I believe that 30% takes the other 70%
> past the bay door and keeps dust from blowing back up into the fan
> intake. I noticed several units have the deflector removed????

<snip>

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