3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

jlaustin wrote:

joelchappell wrote:
I am working on my generator compartment and controls for the mystery generator that I will eventually get and I have a question for those who have gone before.

Do you monitor the compartment temp for fan control, or do you place your sensor on the cylinder head? I have a thermistor to control a 10" 650 cfm fan to pressurize the compartment, but I am debating where to control the fan from.

I think I would rather monitor the compartment temp so the fan would come on before the cylinder head temp rose too high.

What are your thoughts?

Joel,

The Professor has extensive experience with enclosed compartments and can best address your question, BUT, I "torture tested" my DuroPower 3500ES which is sort of a hybrid - partially enclosed frame, open bottom. I found that the alternator temp inexorably rose from continuously running the 15K BTU A/C no matter what other cooling/ventilation was available. It usually took about an hour to get to 190 degrees on the alternators exhaust - a worrisome temp as the Professor suggests the core is even hotter and most of the insulation is rated for higher (260 as I recall), but the rating is under ideal open-air conditions - not what is going on deep inside the alternator!

I put a gang of 4 25+ cfm computer server fans in the alternator's intake duct I fabricated for 100+ cfm total ( cost every bit of $9.95!!!). They are designed to provide moderate pressurization of computer servers. With this setup, the alternator stays at about 150 degrees no matter the ambient temp, humidity, load, etc. In fact, I put a temp switch on the alternator exhaust that kicks in at about 150 - the cooling fans are able to cool down the alternator so much so that they frequently cool the switch down to below 150 and turn off! Another benefit is the first thing the pressurized duct's flow hits is the AVR - doesn't hurt to keep that cool, too!

I would suggest some sort of similar arrangement and then monitor cylinder temperature at least initially to be sure the engine's fan is "keeping its cool". As I said, the Prof can add more insight to that area. Since my setup is semi-open frame (open bottom, 500 cfm ventilation fan above), I've "assumed" the engine can cool itself - I'll be checking some infrared temps on the engine to be sure - need to paint a dark spot on the cylinder to aim the infrared thermometer.
Regards,
John

(BTW - I'm about 30 minutes south of Crossville which is 30 minutes east of Cookeville. I'll be back from Oshkosh/AirVenture August 1st, so feel free to come by and check out my setup after you get your parents settled in Cookeville! You can PM me for directions, etc.)