| Author | Message | ||
| Matthew J Rutkowski (Matt_rutkowski)
Registered Member Username: Matt_rutkowski Post Number: 50 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 70.91.44.214 Rating: |
I have a 15KW diesel genset in my coach that has an alternator mounted to it. If i run the gen set for too long a period of time without the couch running the cooling fans for the genset kill the 12v house batteries. Is there something im missing like a switch to turn the charging responsibilty over to the gensets alternator?? | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 479 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.187.35.208  Rating: N/A |
Typically, the generator would be feeding an inverter/charger which would keep the house batteries up. I would not try to use the generator's little alternator to maintain the house batteries. I do think the generator's cooling fans should be powered from the generator battery and not the house batteries, assuming they are separate systems, and that the generator charging system can handle the load. | ||
| Dal Farnworth (Dallas)
Registered Member Username: Dallas Post Number: 565 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 67.141.77.61  Rating: N/A |
You don't mention what make or model genset you have. That could make a difference. I had an old watercooled diesel Onan 12.5 that had a 20a alternator to charge the start battery. Now I have a 12.5 aircooled with an integral 60a alternator to charge the start battery. The start battery for the genset should do nothing more than start the genset. Ever! Do you have an inverter to run a seperate charger to your house system? Are you trying to charge the house batteries from the tiny alternator on the alternator? You and a lot of others love making cryptic posts without giving enough information. We need more information. | ||
| Matthew J Rutkowski (Matt_rutkowski)
Registered Member Username: Matt_rutkowski Post Number: 51 Registered: 1-2010 Posted From: 70.91.44.214 Rating: N/A |
I did not set it up this way but here goes. 1. the house system starts the genset and runs its cooling fans 2. the gensets alternator is not my only alternator i have large 24 volt and a large 12 volt engine driven 24v gear driven and 12v belt driven off main engine 3.No inverter an old motor generator that I have yet to tinker with 4. I do have a converter charger for charging house batts 5. Im not sure what genset is i think it has yanmar 3cyl diesel So im guessing your advice would be to install dedicated starting batt for genset and let genset charge it and run cooling fans off of that batt?? the genset is water cooled | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1537 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.192.2.30  Rating: N/A |
1. the house system starts the genset and runs its cooling fans 4. I do have a converter charger for charging house batts A converter is NOT really a charger. It is the antique way of keeping a 12v system operating ,and not having too add water often, while at a power pole.. Most of these were very weak . First choice , a modern 30 year newer real batt charger with a brain. If you are otherwise happy with the "converter charger" a start batt and alt on the noisemaker would work just fine. FF | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 369 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.23.153.237  Rating: N/A |
The cooling fan for the gen radiator should be a/c not d/c Whos design is that Ive never seen one that is d/c powered | ||
| Debbie and Joe Cannarozzi (Joe_camper)
Registered Member Username: Joe_camper Post Number: 370 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.23.153.237 Rating: N/A |
On all of the larger deisel gensets ive worked on there is a breaker for the cooling fan seporate from the main breakers supplying power to the a/c panel. Anytime I start the gen that blower running immidiatly as it does is an indicator of weather the gen is prodicing electricity or not. If it isint blowing I know somethings wrong. I stand corrected I have seen d/c fans on a gen radiator before it was on a 94 Marathon they were thermostatly controled and not constant on like mine and many others. That unit had its own seporate gen batteries. That said IMO a/c cooling fan for the gen radiator is the better choice. Any blower housing assembly out of a residential fan forced furnace will work wonderfully that is what we have. Most turn the blower right off the motor shaft but some, like Liberty, turn the blower with a pully and belt set-up off a small electric motor. (Message edited by Joe Camper on June 02, 2011) | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 292 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
Typically 12vdc fans are rather noisy producing an irritating whine. You might consider, as Joe Camper said, to convert to AC fans. I have a 10kw Powertech with 4 cylinder Kubota. I use a single inlet squirrel cage blower with a 2spd 1/2hp fully enclosed fan cooled motor-high speed during the day, low speed for quiet night time use. On my genset, my starting is also with the main batteries (no dedicated generator battery). But I also have a Inverter/charger so I can charge the batteries while sitting by activating the cross over solenoid to connect the deep cycle batteries to the starting batteries. Also good if you need to jump your self. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1240 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.37.28.23 Rating: N/A |
Hi Matt, There is something wrong with your setup, and needless to say, we didn't have time out here to look at it. As I remember, the generator engine had an alternator on it, which should be large enough to power its cooling fans. Also the bus should be set up to charge at least the house batteries off of 120 VAC. That way you are maintaining your charged batteries just by plugging in your coach while sitting. I would also have a small automatic charger connected to 120 V and the chassis sytem to preserve the chassis batteries while sitting. AC off the generator is an excellent way of cooling the radiator, there just needs to be some audible alarm or shutdown for generator engine over-temperature! I am not a fan of a totally separate generator battery, as they tend to die from neglect and lack of use. It can be argued that a third small AC automatic charger could be added, but why not just hook it up to the chassis batteries? The little gen engine will start on really weak chassis batts, it will charge them from its own alternator, you don't have another battery aging, you have OTR air, so you don't run your genny on the road... FWIW, G |
