Your last generator Maintenance Run

[3930dave]

Any reason to not Go Mobile bdh ? At least, just on your property.....

Up here, an obvious farm wagon only needs an SMV sign (and adherence to a low speed) to be legal on local roads.

Merry Christmas All

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I've got one of those kubota lowboys also. I built an insulated and mouse proof "dog house" for it.
I think my build is here in this thread somewhere.
I got tired of the "hook up" myself and found my stationary diesel unit and built it a home. Still a manual switch but that's what I prefer anyway.

I see that you need no convincing...... Two is One.....

Rgds, D.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Any reason to not Go Mobile bdh ? At least, just on your property.....

Up here, an obvious farm wagon only needs an SMV sign (and adherence to a low speed) to be legal on local roads.

Merry Christmas All

Rgds, D.

I may try a trailer mounted generator at some point. Right now, I keep all my equipment inside buildings. I try to keep the area around the house looking neat and don't store anything outside. The barn area is too far away for a generator. I may eventually be forced to sacrifice the esthetics for functionality though.

 

[5030]

Pull the same crap here. Have to get their pound of flesh no matter what.

 

[90cummins]

After months of on again & off again trouble shooting and talking with a few very smart controls people I’ve finally managed to understand my Xantrex AGS (automatic Gen Start) which now functions properly.
My primary gen is an L100 Yanmar that belt drives a 28 V 450 amp Niehoff alternator.
I’ve programmed the AGS to start at a specified battery voltage (24.5) +- and shut down after running specified amount of time or voltage that exceeds 29 volts.
It’s been near zero the past couple days & I’ve been thinking about the generator’s in my power house & how the cold makes it difficult to start them.
The MEP has a Farymann 15hp diesel that is slow to start even in the summer.
The Yanmar is an excellent starter but requires considerable cranking in single digit temperatures because it has no cold start aids.
I’ve pondered this issue for month’s and while I was making up some new 4/0 cables and using shrink tubing on connections I had the thought to use the 1500 watt heat gun as an intake air heater.
The Farymann has heaters in the intake and oil pan but requires (minute's) of preheat before they are effective in near zero temperatures.

Having been below zero recently and currently 10 degrees I felt it was a good time for a test.
I removed the air cleaner from the Yanmar and directed the heat gun into the intake for a 30 seconds & then cranked the engine which started after a few turns then stalled. It repeated this a couple times then ran nicely with no stumbling.
I then removed the air cleaner from the MEP and used the heat gun directing the heat into the intake port and the engine started with less cranking at 10 degrees than it does in the summer.
Peace of mind knowing this simple trick!!
For those with diesels that need help starting consider using a heat gun to pre-heat the intake air to make your life easier.
90cummins

 

[LittleBill21]

After months of on again & off again trouble shooting and talking with a few very smart controls people I’ve finally managed to understand my Xantrex AGS (automatic Gen Start) which now functions properly.
My primary gen is an L100 Yanmar that belt drives a 28 V 450 amp Niehoff alternator.
I’ve programmed the AGS to start at a specified battery voltage (24.5) +- and shut down after running specified amount of time or voltage that exceeds 29 volts.
It’s been near zero the past couple days & I’ve been thinking about the generator’s in my power house & how the cold makes it difficult to start them.
The MEP has a Farymann 15hp diesel that is slow to start even in the summer.
The Yanmar is an excellent starter but requires considerable cranking in single digit temperatures because it has no cold start aids.
I’ve pondered this issue for month’s and while I was making up some new 4/0 cables and using shrink tubing on connections I had the thought to use the 1500 watt heat gun as an intake air heater.
The Farymann has heaters in the intake and oil pan but requires (minute's) of preheat before they are effective in near zero temperatures.

Having been below zero recently and currently 10 degrees I felt it was a good time for a test.
I removed the air cleaner from the Yanmar and directed the heat gun into the intake for a 30 seconds & then cranked the engine which started after a few turns then stalled. It repeated this a couple times then ran nicely with no stumbling.
I then removed the air cleaner from the MEP and used the heat gun directing the heat into the intake port and the engine started with less cranking at 10 degrees than it does in the summer.
Peace of mind knowing this simple trick!!
For those with diesels that need help starting consider using a heat gun to pre-heat the intake air to make your life easier.
90cummins

not to burst your bubble, most people are starting generators to get power back, how do you plan on powering a 1500 watt heatgun? thats a huge load

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I've used a heat gun (also a propane torch) to help start diesels too, it has worked just fine for me.

On an old CAT, we use to dip a clean grease rag in gas, wring it out then throw it over the intake of the CAT. The gas fumes were enough to get it going.

SR

 

[Sawyer Rob]

not to burst your bubble, most people are starting generators to get power back, how do you plan on powering a 1500 watt heatgun? thats a huge load

Just use a propane torch... Be careful of the filter getting too hot.

SR

 

[90cummins]

not to burst your bubble, most people are starting generators to get power back, how do you plan on powering a 1500 watt heatgun? thats a huge load

This is my powerhouse. These are my diesel backup generators. Both are 28v DC generators that support my 4kw battery backup. During an outage I can use inverter power or my Honda EU2000i portable if I have to do a cold black start. I have other backup sources if needed.
My second source would be a Yanmar L70 diesel portable that has a mil-spec Yanmar configured for extreme cold with 2 intake grid heaters and an extended 3 quart capacity deep sump.
This engine will start at minus 10 degrees F within 2 engine revolutions using the heater and is capable of running unattended for 400 hours with the deep sump and bypass oil filter system providing there is sufficient fuel.
I’m still in the process of tidying up the electrics.
I recently configured the cooling fans so one fan starts ventilating when the fuel in turned on and the second fan is programmed to start after the interior temp rises to 85 degrees.
Being air cooled diesels it’s important to have an environment that is warm enough to keep the operating temperatures up.
I’ve repaired 3 air cooled Yanmars that suffered from wet stacking from insufficient load in cold environments.
90cummins

 

[Robin Veerman]

What are the characteristics of the oil that you’re using in your Yanmar and MEP generators. I don’t mean brand, but what type (syn/conv), viscosity etc. and what is the pour point of the oil that you’re using? Although cold diesels can be difficult to start certain oils can help in that situation….but still provide ample protection once they’re hot and working hard.