Another Powertech Generator "?"

scenicruiser997 · July 19, 2011, 07:07:34 AM

I have a Powertech PTS-12 CSI Generator that has worked fine every time I fired it up, but this week as I get ready to take to family out camping 3 hours from home, the generator starts runs fine then shuts off due to over temp. Oil is great, water/antifreeze is great, even the fan belt is tight and working and I don't see any leaks anywhere. Never had this problem before. What could cause the generator to start over heating? Oh we are in Oklahoma and have not seen a day below 100 for three weeks. Thanks for your help. Aaron in Oklahoma

artvonne · July 19, 2011, 07:45:19 AM

Could the gen head have overheated??

Probably another useful reason to own an IR gun. If its truly not running hot you likely have a temp sender malfunction, may be able to bypass temporaily.

scenicruiser997 · July 19, 2011, 07:53:09 AM

Art, I've got one of those. Where do I hit the generator with it? Was worried about water pump but there is no leakage anywhere. Other thing might be a stuck thermostat. Now I'm kicking myself in the butt for not installing the Genny on a slide out.

luvrbus · July 19, 2011, 07:54:46 AM

Aaron, does that unit have the Cat engine ?

good luck

scenicruiser997 · July 19, 2011, 08:26:32 AM

Yes Art, it has the Cat 3013C Diesel.

luvrbus · July 19, 2011, 09:18:49 AM

Those engines have a vent on the thermostat if that hole gets plugged they over heat and the head bolts should be re-torqued every 1000 hrs (@74#) check the belt those use a special belt any others slip on the pulleys and if you have drained the coolant they need to be refilled very slow I use a 20oz water bottle to fill with then when half full start the engine for a few seconds then finish the filling of coolant

good luck

scenicruiser997 · July 19, 2011, 09:29:41 AM

Thank you Art, I'll check out the thermostat. The fan looks like a squirrel cage type.
Aaron

robertglines1 · July 19, 2011, 10:02:24 AM

one other quick question does it do it in motion? In hot weather it could be recirculating it's own heat discharge. A common problem when only a few degrees or inches(a bus being aired up) or in motion can make a differance. Learned that one the hard way! Go with other response first; but keep that in back of your mind.

scenicruiser997 · July 19, 2011, 10:47:38 AM

I wondered about that myself Robert, with the bus just sitting on the ground with no wind and hitting 106 outside.

robertglines1 · July 19, 2011, 10:58:02 AM

My present Gen set deal was removed from a coach for that reason. When it was sitting with air bags deflated it would over heat. Didn't discover problem till 2nd gen set did same thing. Got deal for me : 7.5 gen set 34hrs on it for 1500$ cabinet and all. Made minor mod to air supply all is good.

TomC · July 19, 2011, 02:14:04 PM

If it has a vent at the top of the thermostat-slowly open it to see if you get coolant or air. If there is an air pocket, it won't circulate the cooland and will overheat and shut down.
There is the possiblity that the water pump went south. On my Caterpillar, no water was escaping, but the impeller started spinning on the shaft-hence wasn't turning fast enough to pump water and overheated. Good Luck, TomC

Another Powertech Generator "?"

artvonne