| Author | Message | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 55 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 99.109.187.242 Rating: N/A |
Hi, The PowerTech Gen in my bus is not working (will start, but not continue to run). We want to take a 10 day camping trip and I don't have time right now to try to fix the PTS gen. We won't be staying at RV parks, so no hookups. So, my question is - can I use a small portable generator just to keep the house batts charged? If so, what size generator would I need? Here's the set up on the bus: 4 - Type 31 12V in series-parallel for 24V into Trace 4024 inverter/charger. The inverter is set up to charge this 24V house bank. 2 - Type 31 12V in series for 12V to power the slide and hyro levelers. I use a small 120V 10A charger to keep these charged. The refrig. runs on propane and we don't plan to use any A/C or use the microwave. So, basically our power needs should be minimal and we won't have any 120V loads - except to keep the batts charged. The only thing we'll need power for is the occasional 12V lights, water pump and Aqua Hot if we want to take a shower - btw, it uses diesel to heat, but some 12V for pumps. I was thinking a small portable gen would allow me to provide 15 - 20A AC input to the inverter for the house batts and enough left over to plug in the small 10A battery charger for the 12V bank. What size portable would work? How long should I expect to run it to keep the batts up? Thanks, | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 539 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62  Rating: N/A |
Jim, I just went through this with my powertech. If you hold the run cylinder in by hand will it keep running? There are a few things that can cause this. The most common if all is well with the generator is a defective oil pressure safety switch. Yoiu can test that by jumpering the two wires on the Oil pressure sender if it keeps running replace the switch. Can't answer4 the other question I'm afraid | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 99.109.187.242 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Tim, Where is the oil pressure switch? Also, the fuel pump keeps running after the gen shuts itself off. Any ideas? | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 540 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62 Rating: N/A |
Which model do you have? Mine is a 15KW witha 4 cylinder Kubota diesel. If it's like mine there are two possible locations. One is by the oil filter the other is above the starter. It will be a two wire sensor. I am scanning in the troubleshooting tree from power tech and will email it to you. There are only about three things it can be assuming you have good oil pressure; bad oil or temp sendors, run and hold solonoid or the run relay. Mine turned out to be the hardest to figure out....the actual two poll switch for turning it on had an intermitant short. If you have a different model just call powertech they were more than willing to walk me through troubleshooting mine even though it's 10 years old (Message edited by timb on June 22, 2010) | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 374 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.187.35.208  Rating: N/A |
If the engine runs and the generator gens, fixing it has to be a lot simpler than rigging up a portable. The old Powertechs were pretty simple, just a couple of relays and sensors. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1308 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.71.3.170  Rating: N/A |
You mentioned you have the PowerTech PTS model. Is this the one with the computer panel that controls the start sequence? If it is you should have several LEDs on the control panel on the generator that may help diagnose the problem. Did you check the 2 fuses on the control panel. I had a problem with a bad fuse holder. I removed the fuse holders and wired in external fuse holders. Jack | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1878 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.91.146.121  Rating: N/A |
I have fed my Trace 4024 with one of those Yamaha EF3000iSEB generators. nice and quiet, just tell the Trace what is available, and turn off the "eco-throttle". The Trace and the auto throttle get into a little argument and it surges up and down as the batteries reach full charge. I agree, a few minutes doing a little trouble shooting may save you the hassle? happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 57 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 99.109.187.242 Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all who responded. I think I've determined the problem w/ the genset is the oil pressure switch. Jumpered the leads and the genset kept running. However, when I shut it off the fuel pump continues to click. I have to shut off the genset batt switch to stop that. It also turns out that the Remote gen start/stop panel inside the bus was wired wrong. Once I took all of that out, I can at least run the gen. I ordered a new oil press. swich. Question: Getting that switch out will be a real PITA. Would it be OK to jumper the leads just to keep the gen running so I can charge my batts? Regards, | ||
| les marston (Les_marston)
Registered Member Username: Les_marston Post Number: 86 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 68.151.225.213 Rating: N/A |
as long as you are sure it is a fault in the switch and not really low oil pressure. this sensor is there to shut down the engine if it runs out of oil or for some other reason has low oil pressure. It doesn't have anything else to do with the running of the engine. Check the oil and charge away | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 541 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62 Rating: N/A |
Jim I'm with les as long as you are sure oil pressure is good jumper away. In my case I have an electronic gauge so I was able to verify. By the way while jumpered you can expect the fuel pump to stay active. You are correct it is a bugger to get to. I completely removed the air filter canister and then had enough room to get myself and a wrench in there | ||
| Jim Wilkerson (Wagwar)
Registered Member Username: Wagwar Post Number: 60 Registered: 12-2009 Posted From: 99.109.187.242 Rating: |
I just wanted to Thank! all of you that responded. It was the oil pressure switch. I replaced that after some testing and it works great now! | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 543 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.165.176.62 Rating: N/A |
Great news Jim!!! |
