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Message |
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member
Username: Zimtok
Post Number: 138
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 216.37.73.226
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 4:50 pm: | |
My Generator uses the fuel tank that was for the original air conditioner unit. (4104)
I have checked all the manuals I have but the info on this tank is very limited. I need info on the pickup tube that goes into the tank because my generator seems to run out of gas long before the tank is empty. |
Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member
Username: Gusc
Post Number: 375
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 63.97.117.45
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 7:14 pm: | |
Your gas tank may not be filling completely. I haven't checked mine but I have this problem with the diesel tank, I never know for sure how much is in it. |
James Stacy (Jimstacy)
Registered Member
Username: Jimstacy
Post Number: 58
Registered: 1-2001
Posted From: 75.41.28.179
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 8:06 pm: | |
The diesel tank couldn't be easier. You can look right into the tank and see the fuel if it is full; Probably reach it with your finger.
I pulled my original front tank (just under 30 gallons IIRC) flushed it, installed new filler neck and gage sending unit. I believe the pick up went to the bottom of the tank as there is nothing else to save the gas for.
I could not get away from gas odor up front apparently from the vented cap. An extra fuel filter and sediment bowl did not take care of the Old Fuel problem either. My fault, as I didn't run the genset often enough to keep the fuel fresh. Seemed every time I really wanted the gen set, the carb was plugged up.
I finally gave up and found a diesel gen set at the right price and drained the gas tank. No more odor; no more stale fuel. Now if I make the front tank diesel and put in a switch (or a tranfer pump) will I get odor again? Shouldn't 140 gallons be enough or do I put in a "plan B"?
Jim Stacy |
James Stacy (Jimstacy)
Registered Member
Username: Jimstacy
Post Number: 59
Registered: 1-2001
Posted From: 75.41.28.179
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 - 8:15 pm: | |
I believe the gas fuel pickup is directly above the drain plug as it is in the diesel tank. Drain the gas tank (A clean catch and a filter funnel would probably save it.) You should be able to see or probe for the end of the pickup tube. Perhaps it was replaced by a short unit at some time. It might also have a hole part way up the tube.
Jim Stacy |
Arthur J Griffith (Arthurseagle)
Registered Member
Username: Arthurseagle
Post Number: 33
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 72.236.102.239
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 3:33 pm: | |
JAMES: If you keep your small tank seperate from
your main tank you can run the OFF ROAD fuel
(the pink stuff) for your generator. Available
in any rureal area for 40-50 cents less.(no tax)
At todays prices it is worth thinking about. Try
to re vent your tank to the outside to eliminate
the odor. Works great for me.
ARTHUR |
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member
Username: Zimtok
Post Number: 139
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 216.37.73.226
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 3:10 pm: | |
I was hoping that someone might have a diagram showing how the tank and lines are plumbed. It seems to have more then one tube coming out of the top of the tank in the area of the pickup tube.
Or even a diagram of how the pickup tube is located in the tank.
I do plan on draining the tank at some point, so I'll take a peek in the drain hole at that time. dropping the tank is not an option at this point as I don't have any way to get it out from under the bus. |
Jim Wilke (Pd41044039)
Registered Member
Username: Pd41044039
Post Number: 150
Registered: 2-2001
Posted From: 69.77.144.142
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 9:08 am: | |
Austin,
The tank is 27 gallons. Mine only retains about a gallon or so when the gen runs out of fuel. The original rig for the air conditioning engine had a pickup tube which ran up to an electric fuel pump located behind an aluminum panel which is on the bulkhead behind the front driver's side tire. I think it is above the air beam. At the fuel pump, there was a tee which had a small tube leading back to the tank, and a larger one leading to the engine/generator bay. This was a really nice, safe GM device called a siphon breaker. Basically, when you shut off the engine, the device would cause the fuel to run back to the tank from the highest point so that if the carb needle valve leaked (carb flooded) only the fuel in the line from the pump would leak out, not the whole tank full!
Now, if this stuff is still there, you can replace the pump (they still make an identical pump) and use this nice, safe setup for your genset. BTW both the original and the replacement pump has a filter located in the bottom. My pump still worked but we replaced it.
If this stuff is gone, you can see that the larger line/port at the tank would be the pickup. If you have a diesel gen, the little port would make a great return point.
If you drain the tank, you can put fuel back in a gallon at a time. If you are on flat ground and blow air into the pickup line, you should hear bubbles when the fuel covers it. Subtract the gallons you have added from the total you take to fill it and you will know the useable amount. If it takes more than, say 4-5 gallons to bubble, I'd say there's a problem.
I have a 6.5KW Onan gas gen & we figure about 1/2 gal per hour in hot Florida climate (2 ACs, coffee, hot water & microwave). We refill about every 48 hours of run time to avoid running out.
As my fellow nuts like to say, YMMV, "your mileage may vary".
Keep the videos coming!
Jim-Bob |
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member
Username: Zimtok
Post Number: 149
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 216.37.73.226
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 5:51 pm: | |
Well the update on the problem was how the fuel lines were connected.
Jim, you touched on the problem with the "T" and return line. On the original system this "T" and return line was on the pressure side of the fuel pump.
When they installed the Generator they used the fuel pump on the generator and bypassed the original fuel pump but left the "T" and return line intact, and only pinching off the return line.
It may have worked for a while but over time the return line opened up and now being on the suction side of the fuel pump it would suck air instead of fuel once the fuel level became low enough.
I removed the "T" and just ran the fuel line straight to the generator fuel pump and I was able to run the tank empty. (26 gal to refill)
I still have all the components of the old system and may convert it back sometime in the future but for now I'm happy that I can run the generator for longer than a few hours before refueling. And also glad that I didn't have to drop the fuel tank.
Thanks for everyone's help.
. |