Your last generator Maintenance Run

[daugen]

Rusty, do you have a system/SOP for turning the unit off to do inspections, like check the oil level?

does your unit have any issues with wet stacking under very light load?
It's sure getting a good workout, probably best thing for that diesel.
It was born to work.

and I am curious, under normal load after being on for a while, what temp is your oil or coolant?

 

[Rustyiron]

I'm going to switch to that little "dog house" 6500w Kubota that I put together a few years ago just to run it. I keep thinking about selling it but I just don't really want to part with it.
Wet stacking is and has been a concern for the 20kw is oversized, I just haven't seen anything in the exhaust system or elsewhere.

 

[Rustyiron]

Yesterday afternoon power was restored.

 

[daugen]

I'd give that gen a pat on the head
since diesel loses performance after three years, you want to burn up some
of that fuel anyway.
I had a 250 gallon diesel tank on my NC farm and I ran out every March.
So I always had fresh fuel. Plus I had a 500 gal propane tank for Generac.

fuel storage is an issue for you, which is where propane shines.
I'm not sure if it's just loss of cetane or why diesel fuel goes bad, not a chemist, but
that seems to be the only concern for your setup. Then again, some diesel engines "burn anything" and that
may be your case.

not sure you can just keep dosing stale fuel with Stanadyne or other conditioners. Maybe you can for a long time.

 

[Rustyiron]

I definitely have the fuels "health" constantly lingering in my thoughts. I treat with a biocide and the normal anti gell, certain boosters. So far, so good. I am (strangely) eager to refill with fresh fuel.
At the end of this last run I heard a odd noise that seems to be the frequency and sound of a belt. The only one is the fan/alternator. I'll get that replaced and verify.
Early on with this unit water appeared under the fan/water pump. Just a little bit that stopped on its own. Being optimistic I hoped that it was a dry seal. Someone along this journey told me that the Cummins generators had proprietary (expensive) parts that only were available from a dealership. I haven't researched this or the price yet but I'm going to.
With all the guarding, even a simple belt replacement gives a modern car equivalency in terms of convenience.
I bought this unit with 1060hrs. now it's got 1365.1.

The little "dog house" project that I finished up the last outage with. Just to stretch its legs.

6500w little Kubota diesel a little bit short on juice I think, and the 20k is a little big but it seems without consequence. At least that's what I'm going with.

 

[3930dave]

Good to hear your grid is back Rusty, and even a bit early...... (I'd sandbag the estimate too, if I was the one issuing it )

Thanks for the after-action report (I think you still will be posting consumption data later....), AND the pics....we always like those !

Can't remember if I've seen the doghouse before... it's cute as H E double hockey-sticks ! Now, all the other little gens that hang-out here are going to be jealous !

Rgds, D.

 

[LittleBill21]

we had an outage last week for 2+ days, ran my 2 inverter suitcases for about 28 hours, used a little over 4 gallons, which I was really happy with. At 6am on the 3rd day I was pulling out the large genny, but decided to check the utility voltage, and it was back on, so I was glad I didn't need to pull it out. going to go change the oil for the next 3 year outage.

outside of the well and water heater, the 2 suitcase 1800w units actually power everything we use.(outside of heat)

 

[Patrick Herd]

Rusty, Given that your outage is probably the longest and hottest your generator has run in its life, I'd seriously consider replacing the oil filter and maybe do an oil change too. Cheap insurance for a very valuable asset (I'd argue that to you, it's worth a lot more than you paid for it)

 

[3930dave]

we had an outage last week for 2+ days, ran my 2 inverter suitcases for about 28 hours, used a little over 4 gallons, which I was really happy with. At 6am on the 3rd day I was pulling out the large genny, but decided to check the utility voltage, and it was back on, so I was glad I didn't need to pull it out. going to go change the oil for the next 3 year outage.

outside of the well and water heater, the 2 suitcase 1800w units actually power everything we use.(outside of heat)

Always a great option... to have the right tool(s) @ hand, for the job !

Rgds, D.

 

[LittleBill21]

Always a great option... to have the right tool(s) @ hand, for the job !

Rgds, D.

yea, we are pretty much set in generator arena, not in love with the aux heating during that period, but outages are rare here anymore, so I don't plan to invest more.

 

[grsthegreat]

Hmmm, another unplanned maintenance run. Lost power an hour ago. 8100 houses affected. These are why i never need manual long exercises on my unit. Happen too many times.

 

[daugen]

great gauges GRS
only issue is where the tach is
too bad it's not at 1800...

the output data is super helpful
see honey, it has to stay in the green

I used to have a 50amp boat with a 100 amp wife...

 

[grsthegreat]

Could care less if its running 1800 or 3600. I dont have too many long outages, most last 2-3 hours. I maintain these air cooled units that have over 2000 hrs on the meter and there still going strong. It all depends on maintenance.

 

[grsthegreat]

Just got notified by my genmon unit, power has been restored. 1 hr, 54 minutes

 

[3930dave]

Hmmm, another unplanned maintenance run. Lost power an hour ago. 8100 houses affected. These are why i never need manual long exercises on my unit. Happen too many times.
View attachment 864620



View attachment 864621

Thinking I should start annual Top 5 Utilities That Support Generator Exercise awards !

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Just got notified by my genmon unit, power has been restored. 1 hr, 54 minutes


View attachment 864628

That telemetry package could almost convince me to start carrying a cell again.......

Almost. I'm close to home virtually all the time these days, but if I was still traveling for business like I used to, that setup would seriously tempt me.

Key data, AND CPU Temp, AND Wifi with actually some gradation on Strength.

^ +1 !

Rgds, D.

 

[5030]

Could care less if its running 1800 or 3600. I dont have too many long outages, most last 2-3 hours. I maintain these air cooled units that have over 2000 hrs on the meter and there still going strong. It all depends on maintenance.

Interesting. I own both. The JD powered diesel out next to the shop is and 1800 rpm 4 pole head while the one up by the house is a 3600 rpm 2 pole head and both heads have skewed rotors. From a longevity standpoint the 1800 will always win out because it's rotating at half the speed of the 3600 rpm unit. Not that it matters a lot as they are both over 20 years old this year. The 3600 rpm units is getting a new enclosure this year as the original powder coated steel enclosure is about rusted away. Generac was good enough to sell me a new, all aluminum enclosure for it. Wasn't a cheap date by a long shot but certainly a ton cheaper than a new unit today. I see a ton of steel enclosures around that are rusting away. They all seem to start at the base and work up. My diesel even though it's also in a steel enclosure isn't rotting away at all which I find interesting.

 

[grsthegreat]

I think the diesel oil saturates the steel…..keeping it protected. Ive also noticed little rust on the diesel rigs.

mind you…im just guessing here. Also the diesel rigs generally sit atop the fuel tanks and not on the ground like the air cooled.

BTW swapping cabinets SUCKS. lots of work, especially if replacing base also.

 

[Rustyiron]

Just got notified by my genmon unit, power has been restored. 1 hr, 54 minutes


View attachment 864628

Piece of cake!

 

[grsthegreat]

If it lasted longer into the day, i would have manually shut it down. But there wasnt much of a load on it and i wanted to keep the house warm.