Problems with 20kw gen-set

[grsthegreat]

This Generac I installed, sounds like a freaking lawn mower screaming away. That, in my mind, is not a standby system one wants to rely on. And I must say, there is some other ugly noise from the Engine ( a briggs) , but that's not my concern.

A customer of mine has a large 150 KW genset with Cummins power and for one reason or another, that set has never worked, when there was an outage. Always performs flawlessly on excercise. Nothing is infalable, and therefore I have backups for my backups for my backups, but a 3600 rpm genset is not what I would start with. Just sayin.

errr. i had a 4 cyl luv pickup that ran 3500 - 4,000 rpm for 24 years. why is high RPM = engine failure. Heck, my jetski runs about 5.000 -5,500 if i remember right.

the only reason im thinking of getting a newer 1,800 rpm generator is for the quieter operation. Ive seen 3,600 rpm generators that are used on houses as primary backup for photovoltic and wind generator systems run flawlessly for many years.

 

[hr3]

If when you jump 12VDC to the 14 wire on the fuel solenoid and you hear gas rushing through then the demand regulator has a problem. When the start sequence is initiated the fuel solenoid is opened as soon as the board confirms that the unit is turning over by the mag pick up. If the fuel solenoid is open gas will still not flow until the demand diaphragm is depressed by negitive pressure in the hose that goes up to the throttle body. That is what the half choke does help increase the negitive pressure by closing off the air intake. As the diaphragn moves in it pushes on a lever that opens an orfice that allows gas to flow through the hose to the throttle body. if there is no negative pressure from the engine turning over there should be no fuel flow. I recomend two things first verify that you only have 7"wc pressure at the inside (the generator) regulator. Then jump the 12VDC to the fuel solenoid and see if you can hear fuel flowing. If you do you will need to disassemble the demand regulator to see if the lever has come off or something else is not right.

 

[Toyboy]

If when you jump 12VDC to the 14 wire on the fuel solenoid and you hear gas rushing through then the demand regulator has a problem. When the start sequence is initiated the fuel solenoid is opened as soon as the board confirms that the unit is turning over by the mag pick up. If the fuel solenoid is open gas will still not flow until the demand diaphragm is depressed by negitive pressure in the hose that goes up to the throttle body. That is what the half choke does help increase the negitive pressure by closing off the air intake. As the diaphragn moves in it pushes on a lever that opens an orfice that allows gas to flow through the hose to the throttle body. if there is no negative pressure from the engine turning over there should be no fuel flow. I recomend two things first verify that you only have 7"wc pressure at the inside (the generator) regulator. Then jump the 12VDC to the fuel solenoid and see if you can hear fuel flowing. If you do you will need to disassemble the demand regulator to see if the lever has come off or something else is not right.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm writing a lot of these down to present to the mechanical tech if the cold weather pkg. does not solve the problem. If I knew then, what I know now I might have approached this installation different.

I had 4-5 options of who to purchase my Generac from, but that's only 1/2 of the service story.

Generac does not have a lot of mechanical service tech's in the field if your unit needs "wrenching". My dealer/ installer has a Degree in Electrical Engineering and is a wiz with that end, but admits he knows nothing about the gas/mechanical end of the unit. My "wrench" has to come from 65mi away to work on unit, and that will be costly. Does another brand have closer sales/service people in my area? Don't know but I would have taken that into account before selecting a brand.

I could very well have/had the same service issues with another brand, maybe even worse, I don't know and don't care at this point. But any of you out there that are thinking, or about to have a gen-set installed (any brand), find out if your dealer/installer has the capabilities to handle both electrical and mechanical, or does mechanical have to come from some other person/business. Could save you a lot of headaches.

 

[grsthegreat]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm writing a lot of these down to present to the mechanical tech if the cold weather pkg. does not solve the problem. If I knew then, what I know now I might have approached this installation different.

I had 4-5 options of who to purchase my Generac from, but that's only 1/2 of the service story.

Generac does not have a lot of mechanical service tech's in the field if your unit needs "wrenching". My dealer/ installer has a Degree in Electrical Engineering and is a wiz with that end, but admits he knows nothing about the gas/mechanical end of the unit. My "wrench" has to come from 65mi away to work on unit, and that will be costly. Does another brand have closer sales/service people in my area? Don't know but I would have taken that into account before selecting a brand.

I could very well have/had the same service issues with another brand, maybe even worse, I don't know and don't care at this point. But any of you out there that are thinking, or about to have a gen-set installed (any brand), find out if your dealer/installer has the capabilities to handle both electrical and mechanical, or does mechanical have to come from some other person/business. Could save you a lot of headaches.

you think factory generac tech is expensive.... a certified CAT service tech runs $375.00 per hour and time starts when they leave shop. (Dont ask me how i found out ) HEHE. Good luck and i hope its just cold related.

 

[Toyboy]

you think factory generac tech is expensive.... a certified CAT service tech runs $375.00 per hour and time starts when they leave shop. (Dont ask me how i found out ) HEHE. Good luck and i hope its just cold related.

Do you think service costs are in direct correlation to the unit cost? To me the $0.55 a mile PLUS $150 hour labor cost (I'm not totally sure on that) seems a lot for a $5k investment. ($4k if you subtract installation cost)

Now your $375 hr cost may be because of the more complex system they're servicing?? Or might it be the standard charge whether it was a D9 or a gen-set.?

Either way, it seems a lot.

 

[charlz]

$375 an hour is probably the 'sweet spot' where the user looks at trading in for newer equipment that won't need as much service....

 

[savageactor7]

It's critical that the rubber air scoop fit snugly to the carburetor. give that a gentle yank and observe that it has a nice secure fit to it...

...yeah you wouldn't think a little thing like hat would be such a show stopper. But it is.

 

[grsthegreat]

Do you think service costs are in direct correlation to the unit cost? To me the $0.55 a mile PLUS $150 hour labor cost (I'm not totally sure on that) seems a lot for a $5k investment. ($4k if you subtract installation cost)

Now your $375 hr cost may be because of the more complex system they're servicing?? Or might it be the standard charge whether it was a D9 or a gen-set.?

Either way, it seems a lot.

dont know....its the same looking service truck that works on heavy equipment

 

[hr3]

You have 10 dealers within 50 miles of you.. 2 right in your town,, ???
Generac Power Systems - Dealer Locator Results

 

[charlz]

You have 10 dealers within 50 miles of you.. 2 right in your town,, ???
Generac Power Systems - Dealer Locator Results

Doesn't look like any of them have the Service icon though.....