Your last generator Maintenance Run

[90cummins]

Ran my Onan/Kubota 7.5KW for an hour and a half last nignt putting 5KW into my Hot Tub, as well as light house loads. Discouraged that after that time Hot Tub Temp had only gone from 81 to 83 F. Basic Physics! Makes one appreciate the Utility Power!

I know it depends on temperatures and humidity levels, but I wonder how long it take to dry out a Rotor/Stator. I mean, running it for an hour and a half, did I do anything useful except burn some Diesel Fuel?[/

It痴 piece of mind knowing it will work when needed.
90cummins

 

[Industrial Toys]

Some sets have windings that keep the stator warm,toasty and dry. Sounds like someone not concerned about their utility bills.

Reminds me of a gigantic Automated Steel storage facility of the company my Dad used to work for. They would HEAT that place year round to keep dew at bay.

 

[RoyKing]

Ran my Onan/Kubota 7.5KW for an hour and a half last nignt putting 5KW into my Hot Tub, as well as light house loads. Discouraged that after that time Hot Tub Temp had only gone from 81 to 83 F. Basic Physics! Makes one appreciate the Utility Power!

I know it depends on temperatures and humidity levels, but I wonder how long it take to dry out a Rotor/Stator. I mean, running it for an hour and a half, did I do anything useful except burn some Diesel Fuel?

What do you mean dry out your rotor? I don't think their much moisture moving in and out, otherwise it would be steaming after short run. Am I missing something

 

[Industrial Toys]

You can have moisure get into your windings from condensation if the environment is conducive to that. Mine is, given big temperature swings and only occassional heat.

 

[Blaszer]

Now I see why so much fuel is your load anyway near that much that must be like 80hp diesel that isn't turbo charged.

RoyKing, It is a turbo perkins 1004-4tg, I think 110hp? Yup, the right size for our place, there is a lot running at all times.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Generators should be run at a minimum of, 50% load for 30 minutes every 6 months...

That's to drive all the moisture out of the generator head...

SR

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Moisture isn’t much of an issue on windings until you get over about 600V and shouldn’t by itself cause an issue but if there is a flaw in the insulation it will eventually find it. Alternators run in road spray in automotive and rail applications all the time without issue and the windings are soaked. Even a 480 or 600V unit in the MW range that’s been submerged, all that’s necessary is to bolt the output leads together to create a dead short with the voltage regulator disconnected, then slowly apply field voltage until you reach about 80% rated amps. It gets hot but builds no voltage. Then megger the windings before you let it build voltage the first time and usually no harm done.

Typically it’s not that hard to load up a small generator so it’s cheap insurance to do so.

The solution on larger units which are usually not loaded sufficiently to create any heat in the windings so a heating resistor is used on larger units over 1000kw or so. . In a home sized unit 10-20W is all you need... something like this:

Buy 1/4" x 1" Low/Mid Watt Cartridge heater, 2W, 12V

 

[daugen]

thanks Aaron.

ok, I have a question. One year since I last changed the oil in my 22kw Generac. 25 hours use in one year.
Full synthetic oil. Looks like new. Yes I should change my oil every year but 25 hours on full synthetic?
Only concern is condensation, not wear crud.
Can I go another year?...

 

[shaeff]

Nice setup, and surely appreciated lately !

Rgds, D.

Thanks! It definitely was! I still need to build a “doghouse” for it and run some underground conduit to it. Then I’m going to wire a remote start for it to take care of everything from the nice, dry basement. All in good time.

 

[shaeff]

thanks Aaron.

ok, I have a question. One year since I last changed the oil in my 22kw Generac. 25 hours use in one year.
Full synthetic oil. Looks like new. Yes I should change my oil every year but 25 hours on full synthetic?
Only concern is condensation, not wear crud.
Can I go another year?...

I would fire it up and let it run for a good hour or so. Burn off all the condensation, then I’d let it go another year. I don’t change mine yearly.