Genset heat

[Nasser]

Great Newell owners,
I have 40' 1988 Newell, if the temperature outside is 104F with no wind, the genset would arrive to 200F degree! and would be stable at this temp (as I tried) for 3 hours.. wont raise after that! Is the dial reads fault? or this is a normal temp for the genset?

My genset is a Yanmar model 4T N82E - UK
any comment would be helpful

Thank you in advance

[Richard and Rhonda]

I think you may be looking at the normal operating temp that you are going to see. The coolant won't boil until about 220. I would put in infrared temp gun on the engine, specifically target the metal neck where the coolant hose exits the engine. The infrared reading will tell you how accurate the gauge is. Also the control system on the generator has an internal circuit that will shut it down if it overheats.

[prairieschooner]

So the real question is what temperature is the Thermostat? I would guess it is close to 190 degrees. Typically Gauges are within 10% Accuracy so it could easily be running at around 190 Degrees.
I would suggest that if you use an infrared thermometer you target the neck where the Thermostat is, the area where it discharges and the area where the Temperature Sending Unit is located. Write them all down so you can see what it is going on there.

Harbor Freight has a very reasonably priced infrared thermometer and they are having a sale right now;
http://www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-laser-thermometer-96451.html

I have used a probe in the radiator fluid--BUT YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OPEN THE RADIATOR CAP WHEN THE RADIATOR IS HOT!

[prestadude]

I don't know how your 1988 is configured but on my coach, I would have to extend the slide to expose the radiator hose (for the infrared measurement suggested by Prarieschooner). The Newell manual warns against operating the generator with the slide open because the air flow pathway through the radiator is disrupted and the generator will ultimately overheat. So, I think getting the most accurate measurement would involve opening the slide and the then immediately taking a reading as it appears that the temperature will start to drift up with the compartment open.

[prairieschooner]

sorry, we have an '82 so some details about the newer coaches are unfamiliar to me. We do not have a secondary blower, our radiator for the genset is in the front so it is much easier to check.

[chockwald]

My genset runs about 160-170 according to the dash gauge.....mine is run off propane, and I don't have a secondary blower, just a radiator and fan...genset is at front of coach.

[encantotom]

clarke, i would guess the 160-170 is not accurate. most likely a 170-180 degree thermostat at the least. so that would say that at temp, you should be at least at the temp of the thermostat. like steve says, the gauges are not all that accurate.

tom

[prairieschooner]

Like Tom stated if your Gauge reads only 160 you should check the Thermostat or be sure that there is one. 160 Degrees may be too cold for that application it typically would be 180 although with a 10% differential it could be running at 180%. Typically a Thermostat is needed to slow the water flow enough to make sure that it is cooled.
Having said this yours is unique being a gasoline engine with an LPG conversion and it would run much different than a diesel, maybe everything is alright?

[Nasser]

Thank you for those valuable comments! Prestadude... you are right! That is the reason I did not want to open the slide to measuer infrared temp gun , because I have a secondary blower.

[encantotom]

you can run the genny for a little while while it is out with no real problems.

tom

[Nasser]

you can run the genny for a little while while it is out with no real problems.

tom
Yes! your right... this would be good enough to compare the leaser reading to the gauge reading, Thank you Tom!

[Nasser]

you can run the genny for a little while while it is out with no real problems.

tom
I will try.. good idea thanx

[Nasser]

I had this problem... The genset arrive to 200 and more, and the barkers of each air conditioning stated to go off one by one! Does the genset do that to cool itself down?

[encantotom]

hi nasser, do you mean circuit breakers (rather than barkers)?

the circuit breakers should not be kicking out.

tom

[chockwald]

Nasser, what did you have on besides the air conditioners?

[Nasser]

hi nasser, do you mean circuit breakers (rather than barkers)?

the circuit breakers should not be kicking out.

tom
Yes! Ac breakers.. and this started to happen when the weather temp. go from 45 to 47 degrees.

[Nasser]

Nasser, what did you have on besides the air conditioners?
Only batteries charger