A single system cooling for both engine and generator!

[muddog16]

I've been searching in the archives for information pro's and cons to installing a single cooling system for engine and generator!  I found one post from Driving MissLazy, where he used a single system for his Eagle and by installing two (2) 16" electric fans knowing how this always seems to brighten the day  for many,........does anyone by chance have any idea's of how Richard did his cooling system?

I'm not sure he did away with his mechanical fan and just went with electric fans or added those in (with) his mechanical fan.

I've alread run 1" copper lines from the rear to front, two of them, a supply and return line I've installed isolation valves for the Hurricane Heater, Generator and Defroster.

This system as designed will be a parallel feed system for all users being supplied! There will be one (1) inline 24VDC water pump feeding all users!

On the suction line coming from the radiator to the engine  my 1" supply takes off there and heads for the front to feed the hurricane heater, I'm thinking about using a restricting flow orfice to limit flow to the hurricane heater,this flow orfice will restrict a large portion of the water from flowing through this small user,  this heater is designed to act as a block warmer during winter for pre-heating the engine before starting serving as a back up to the regular block heater, there are isolation valves here also.

The the next user inline is the generator which is a Isuzu L3, 3 cylinder diesel 15kw generator, This user will be unrestricted!  there are isolation valves here also. 

The next user in line is the defroster which is also equipped with isolation valves and a bypass valves for warm weather.

On the return line back to the engine are two 20 gallon hot water heaters with 3/8" copper coils wound  around the tanks under the insulation and metal cover, they are in a series loop, this loop will help heat the hot water while on the road, there are isolation valves here too.

At this point the 1" return line continues back to the engine which will return to the top of the radiator for heat removal!

Back to the cooling fans, I know this has been controversial on both sites for a long time.  I am wanting to continue to use my mechanical fan drive and fan plus I would like to install a single 16" 24 or 12VDC or even 120VAc fan for when the engine is off and power can be supplied through the inverter/generator/shorepower souce!  This is where Richard said he had no problems after the first few bugs, one was a crimped supply line from the radiator, which he rerouted and then by placing the electric fans with thermostatic control with a running light on the dash to confirm that the fans were running!  Will the electric fan in front of the mechanical fan hamper or restrict the cooling of the mechanical fan while on the road?

I added this note, the Hurricane Heater, serves many functions, there are five zones for hydronic heating, a block pre-heater, and to also heat potable water! It has a diesel boiler, which is also an electric fired boiler, it is self contained with heat exchangers and pumps!

I know that was long and I'm sorry, if you see anywhere that there could be a possible problem speak up..........I as always appreciate the input good and bad.........   Thanks!

[luvrbus]

Pat, I will find Mike's number and PM it to you he is the owner of Richards Eagle now but I think he is changing the system.
The problem with the setup is the little water pump on the generator will not move enough water to keep it cool after running for long periods. 
I would go with a remote radiator with 110v fan and keep the systems separate.
FWIW I know of others that are not happy with the setup also.
And you with a 8v92 you are going to add heat to your main system and the 8v92 is not easy to cool   



good luck

[NJT 5573]

I have never done this, but it seems like you would have alot of cold water going into the gen set for a long time before you ever could reach operating temp. Tough on a little diesel.

I would take an engine driven fan and save my electricty if at all possible. May be a down side, but I don't know what it is. Guess if the gen is running anyway, electric is not a big deal if you have some to spare.

[TomC]

Just so you know- the 8V-92TA is THEE hardest engine to keep cool.  You need giant radiators with lots of air flow to keep the engine cool.  My first Kenworth truck had a 1350 sq in 5 row radiator for my 435hp 8V-92TA mechanical engine.  That same 1350 radiator was used with the Cummins KTA600-so you can see how hard it is to cool.
I highly recommend you keep the two separate-since if one breaks it could take out the other.  My A/C is just the roof top air (3-13,500).  I've had a couple of break downs where I could not run the big engine, but was nice and comfortable with the generator happily running on its' own.  Good Luck, TomC

[John316]

Also, keep in mind that they will probably like to run at different temps. Our little 20KW with a Kubota likes to run near 170, with 190 being the max. I wouldn't tie them together, simply because of that.

God bless,

John

[RJ]

Mud -

IIRC, Richard (Driving Miss Lazy), had the two electric fans on the street side of the radiator, inside the bus's grill.  They were mounted just below the top tank.

He had them set up in such a way that they'd run when the main engine was off and the gen set was on.  They wouldn't run when the Detroit and the gen set both were running.

DML was resurrected after the fire, and now resides in TX, I think.  Fellow busnut bought it from Richard, but can't remember who it was right now.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[luvrbus]

RJ, Richard's ex Eagle belongs to Mike Crouch of Pottsboro Tx Sonnie Gray bought it from the insurance co and sold it to Mike who is bring it back to life.

[muddog16]

Thanks everyone for the input!  I let this go for several days before answering, I needed to think this through, but after much thought........I realize that a single system isn't for me, the primary cooling should be only the engine, after spending big bucks for this monster........I don't really want to fry it!  So therefor I am going to spilt the system up........the generator will have its own system!  I'm trying to close the floor up so I can get the guy to come in and insulate the bus (spray foam) This means another day running more copper before that happens!  Thanks again I really appreciate all of the input! 

[Len Silva]

The 4104 with the pony engine for A/C had separate cooling systems for both engines, yet they were tied together. I never understood the reasoning behind that.