Bad News today on the genset

wagwar · September 10, 2012, 03:25:55 PM

I have been having trouble with our old PowerTech generator for the last few months. It would not talk nice to the inverter and it blew two circuit boards in my ATS.

So, I took it to a local repair service and the genset is DOA - apparently the neutral is burned out in the head. Since it is so old (1991- 92 ?) Power Tech has no replacement parts and apparently a new head is not available either! PowerTech says it cannot be fixed.

It is a PTS 6.6 AA (6.6 kw) with Kubota diesel. It seems a shame to toss the whole unit when the Kubota 3 cyl seems to run so well - not to mention the extreme pain in the pocketbook.

Anybody know where I might find a replacement head. The big problem is that it is in the old front evaporator compartment behind and below the driver in my MC 9 and is limited space.

If I have to buy a new genset, who makes the best? How much do they cost? It needs to be diesel.

Other options?

luvrbus · September 10, 2012, 04:09:06 PM

They are pulling your leg you can buy heads about any where that will bolt up to your Kubota engine try and find one with a controller or that will cost another 500 bucks a 6.5 head should be around 600 bucks + the controller check the HP rating on the engine you may can go as high as 8kw with hardly no work

oldmansax · September 10, 2012, 04:09:28 PM

These are good folks:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stamford-Newage-generator-type-164A-8-2kw-3-Ph-SAE5-6-5-/160338475330?pt=BI_Generators&hash=item2554eaf942

I have bought from them & they will treat you right.

check the HP on your Kubota. It may support a bigger generator. They can get you one that will bolt right up. Make sure you buy a Stamford-Newage type, brushless.

TOM

oldmansax · September 10, 2012, 04:11:02 PM

Clifford beat me to it. but he is right too.

TOM

wagwar · September 10, 2012, 04:31:25 PM

Thank you!

Clifford, where would I start looking?

Tom, would that be Central Georgia Generator?

junkman42 · September 10, 2012, 05:34:35 PM

Have You considered having the head rewound? Not difficult to find a rewind shop and a hell of a lot cheaper than the other options! Just My way but not always the best way! John L

DMoedave · September 10, 2012, 07:33:23 PM

Wrico gensets are up there as well and Dick and Justin will give you good advice.

oldmansax · September 10, 2012, 08:17:54 PM

Quote from: wagwar on September 10, 2012, 04:31:25 PM
Thank you!
Tom, would that be Central Georgia Generator?

Yes

TomC · September 11, 2012, 12:31:47 PM

Call Dick Wright at Wrico International-he or Justin will get you set up. Good Luck, TomC

wagwar · September 12, 2012, 08:15:22 AM

I called a couple of places yesterday and I'm getting conflicting answers. My current PowerTech genset has a Kubota D950 3 cyl. diesel and a 6.6 KW head (that is dead). One place told me that that engine will never be more than 6.6 KW - no matter what 'size' head I put on it (i.e. 8KW, 10KW, etc.). Another place said I should put an 11KW head on it so that I have plenty of reserve for running 2 A/C units, battery charging and other 120VAC loads.

So, I'd like to upgrad to an 8kw or larger but will my engine be able to support it? The D950 Kubota is basically a 950 cc triple.

TomC · September 12, 2012, 09:19:54 AM

From what I can tell about the D950 (not made anymore), it should put out about 9hp at 1800rpm. Multiply 9 x .75 and you have 6.75kw. So the comment that your engine will not put out more then 6.6kw is very true. You can use a 7.5 or 8kw gen head, but you'll ultimately only put out 6.75kw before the engine starts to lug down. An 8kw genhead might be easier to find and using a bigger genhead will make for a less stressed genset. But-once again-because of the engines only 9hp output, your restricted to 6.75kw. Good Luck, TomC

B_K · September 12, 2012, 09:26:32 AM

Get a hold of Don Fairchild he'll be able to help get more HP outta that engine BIGGER intake/airfilter & exhaust, turbo it etc! LOL just kidding (or am I?)

BK

TomC · September 12, 2012, 09:32:28 AM

You have to watch turboing these small pre-chamber engines. They typically already have around 23:1 compression ratio. The turbo versions have around 18:1. Could do a light turboing with about 5psi-that will increase the power about 30%-so could get towards 12hp out of the D950 that would increase the generating capability to 9kw. Good Luck, TomC

wagwar · September 12, 2012, 12:31:51 PM

TomC,

The folks at Central Georgia Gen. said that my engine could handle up to 9KW, but to put an 11KW on it. Does that sound reasonable?

TIA

luvrbus · September 12, 2012, 02:35:04 PM

Yep 9kw will work fine on the D950 it will handle 9kw no sweat but a 10 kw head it will need a little up grade in HP I don't it will ever handle a 11kw head,the people in Georgia should know they are in the business to know and I have saw plenty of 8 to 8.5 kw head on the D950