best gens

Len Silva · September 22, 2009, 05:58:10 AM

I worked on entertainers for a while and when they ran the genny 24/7, they would change the oil and filter once a week. At 168 hours probably a little stretched the they had very few problems.

Do you have a Kubota engine? A tractor dealer might be able to help with engine problems.

rip · September 22, 2009, 06:13:47 AM

Ruthi; We have an Onan 10 kw quiet diesel and we have had a lot of problems.We spent over a grand and Onan finally figured out they had a big problem with their control board. I had about 400 hrs. it when the problem started and at on point I really wanted to take it out.We do not use it a lot but it as been running fine with just over 600 total hrs.
Don

TomC · September 22, 2009, 08:18:04 AM

As mentioned with the Powertech electronic compared to mechanical controls, Powertech only offers electronic controls. Wrico, on the other hand, offers the option of either. I am going with the same type of mechanical controls I have with my Powertech with my new Wrico. Powertech was having bearing problems when they switched to a cheap Chinese made generator head. I believe those problems have been rectified.
Personally- with all the help and involvement that Dick Wright provides the bus community, I would only buy a generator from Wrico International (you can buy cheaper, but with no support). Dick has been providing buses with generators for many years and his expertise is second to none. My goal with my next installation is to have a generator that is just about silent running from outside, so I can run it anytime I want without anyone knowing. If you've ever experienced a big 150kw recording studio generator running-when walking buy you have to look at the gauges to make sure it is running-you know what I mean. Good Luck, TomC

JackConrad · September 22, 2009, 09:39:11 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on September 22, 2009, 05:33:59 AM
Jack, they also have a bearing problem in the generator head .
The folks I know that have the 10kw Powertech carry a spare bearing with them at all times and I have helped change a few one at 153 hrs.
good luck

Thanks for the information. I did not know that. I will look up the number and pick up a spare bearing. Is this the bearing in the end plate? Jack

Zeroclearance · September 22, 2009, 10:14:17 AM

I spent 3.5 hours replacing my Powertech 20KW end plate bearing, this past weekend. For those that don't know. Powertech uses Marathon for the genset heads on many of there units. The bearing that was in the genset head, was made in Korea.. I opted to cross reference it to a Made in the USA SKF sealed roller bearing. Part number 6207 2RSLEM I paid $18.44 for it. The job took about 1 hours longer than if I had to do it again.. FYI for folks.. My Powertech unit (built in 8 month of 2003) has 12,744 hours on it and doesn't us any oil. I have not had any issues with it, other than a water pump that went out.

Len Silva · September 22, 2009, 10:21:23 AM

What are the indications that the bearing is going out? What kind of catastrophic failure are you in for if you don't catch it soon enough?

Len

junkman42 · September 22, 2009, 10:23:01 AM

Jack, before picking up a spare bearing call powertec and make sure You get the bearing for Your particular gen head. At the 4700 hour mark I just replaced the end bearing and I am sorry I did because the bearing was in fine condition and in no danger of failing! I was led to believe that the older units like Mine do not have the problems of some of the newer units. The crankshaft end of the gen head is supported by the rear main bearing of the kubota. My unit is a four cylinder engine. As to the comments about the short life of the kubota engine nothing in the world could be father from the truth. I have a small b5200 tractor that I use to mow the lawn here on My farm that was used by a factory for 20 years before I got it and I have used it for 10 years. It is faultless period. Be careful when pulling the exciter armature off to replace the bearing and I made sure I bought an quality American bearing not a Chinese piece of junk! Regards, John

ruthi · September 22, 2009, 01:36:54 PM

Tom, thanks for the info on Wrico. Does anyone else have one of these gens? Just trying to get some more feedback on them as far as their use. We are thinking maybe a 13k? We are going to install 3 cruise aires, and we are told that they take a lot of power when they kick in. We will have all exectric, including cooktop, and full size 220 dryer. Tom, we are with you for wanting to make it as quite as possible. How do you intend to install yours to make it that way? Any ideas are appreciated. Now is the time to figure it all out. Starting from scratch to do a conversion, is more difficult than expected. Mostly the decision making part, as far as floor plan to maximize space. We have two other guys who travel and work with us, so, it is more difficult to plan. By the way, our powertech has a cat engine on it. We found a place to look at it tomorrow morn. but they said they dont have much as far as parts. Wish us luck $:-\$ Thanks for the help

ruthi · September 22, 2009, 01:45:55 PM

John, sorry, just saw your post. Dont really know , but prob around 13,000. We change the oil at least 1 time a month.

johns4104s · September 22, 2009, 03:01:31 PM

Ruthi,

So if you averaged 13000 divided by 12 hrs a day on average this would be 1083 days . so about 3 years..

Does anyone agree that is about he life of the average gen set?

Ruthi I dont know generators but I would think the oil needs changing about every 5000 miles, which I would say would be 50 miles per hour X 100 hours or 100 hours divided by 12 = 8 days. Is this to frequent?

John

Len Silva · September 22, 2009, 03:43:47 PM

If you are running the generator 24/7 then I think once a week oil and filter change is about right. I would expect 20,000 hours on a well maintained unit. Fuel filter once a month, air filter maybe every two months. All depending on conditions of course.

John316 · September 22, 2009, 04:26:57 PM

Ruthi,

We have LOVED our EPS generator. http://www.enginepowersource.com/ They have a Kubota diesel engine, and are fabulous! We have a friend who has 23K hours, on theirs, and it is still running strong. Ours is a 20K, which is a bit oversized, but it is great.

Let me know if you want anymore info about them.

God bless,

John

johns4104s · September 22, 2009, 04:31:06 PM

John,

Boy, thats close to twice as many hours as Ruthi,s. How much are the 20k Kubota EPS?

John

John316 · September 22, 2009, 04:48:23 PM

Walla, John. You pay for what you get. Call them, and see what price they will give. I don't remember exactly what ours was, but I do know that it was more then 10K, but that was with the quiet box, and the remote start, and the shroud for the front of the rad.

Give them a call. They are great people to work with. Call them, and tell them what you are looking for. If I remember correctly (which I don't often

), we worked with Steve. They were very helpful, and they know the conversions, because they put theirs into the high end entertainers.

God bless,

John

BTW, I happen to know where you can get a 20KW open box, generator (with only 1K hours on it), with slides. PM me for more info.

Zeroclearance · September 22, 2009, 05:56:37 PM

Len, the noise is similar to a kitchen pot with a lid rattling. The bearing was never replaced and it was a little rough but still intact within it's races. I must note that from all the signs while getting "inside" the unit, it was the first time. One bearing going 12,000 hours is pretty good in my book.