Generator running cold

[GP]

IMHO our generator runs too cool, Martin 20kw with a Yanmar 2 liter turbo diesel engine. Under most conditions it gets to about 160f and on occasion 170f. That seems cold for efficient combustion, this little engine stinks when its running. I talked to Martin Diesel about the temperature and they said it should be 180f or so, so I had them send me a new thermostat and it is marked 71c which is 159f  it seems Yanmar whats this engine to run cool for whatever reason. I would like to get it up to about 190f and see what happens but I have no idea where to look for a thermostat to get it there the OEM thermostat is an odd lookin duck. Do any of you know of a source for a replacement thermostat for this engine?
Thanks.
George

[luvrbus]

George, the sensors are set at the low temps you will open a can worms if you install a higher temp thermostat on your Yanmar, the turbo makes that little engine run cool 

good luck

[GP]

Thanks for the sage advice Clifford.
I did check da Martin owners manual just now, collant temp shutdown @ 220f, oil pressure shutdown @ 14 psi. Perhaps it is best to let sleeping dogs lie, the thing runs OK it just stinks.
George

[robertglines1]

smell like unburnt fuel? or slight oil burn?   Bob  ps the reason I ask are you using synthetic oil?

[luvrbus]

George, under a load you should get around 176 degrees from 159 degree thermostat,I haven't been around many with a turbo but the ones I have they all ran cool fwiw they are nice with just the whistle sound

good luck

[Len Silva]

How much load are you putting on it?  That's a lot of generator for most of us.

[gus]

Len has a good point, the engine is probably just loafing.

159* is the thermostat opening temp, not the engine running temp.

[prevosman]

For what it is worth an entertainer coach leasor that I work with on occasion installs mostly Kohler with the 20KW rating and the Yanmar diesel.

They do not change the factory thermostat. At 20 KW and a max of five AC units the most load they put on the 20 KW generator is around 7.5KW, usually a lot less. They run in the temperature range GP states and even with the light loading the hours on them now are ranging from the 20,000 for the lowest to 38,000 for the highest. I know of none that have ever been opened up.

It is just my opinion that these generators are as close to trouble free as you can get and are only slightly less durable than an anvil.

[GP]

Thanks for the input guys!
Bob, It smells like a rich fuel mixture but no smoke. I'm not using syn. oil.

Clifford, I'll keep an eye on it but most of the time it is around 160/165f. I have never install the thermostat that I purchased from Martin I'll try that 176 would help I think.

Len, I'll see 65 or maybe 70 amps if it is powering all three a/c's, both inverters are charging with the electric side of the aqua hot is making hot water, most of the time it is less than that.

Gus, It is a lot of generator for our use maybe the reason for such a high capacity unit is the 50 amp buddy plug mounted in the generator bay.

Jon, I'm hoping for a long life. I did have a round with the generator head recently that was not related to the engine and I hope that is the last time I make repairs to this unit.

Thanks again gents.

[niles500]

George - did Paul @ Martin tell you about changing out the brearing?

[GP]

niles500, I have a Marathon generator head and Paul @ Martin Diesel said to change the rotor bearing every 5000 hrs. I take that as the gospal.

[Len Silva]

If it's properly installed and cooled, your generator is designed to put out 20KW at 100% duty cycle (166 Amps at 120 Volts) under the worst anticipated outside temperatures.  Even at your max load, you are not at 50%.

I would try reducing the fan speed or partially blocking the radiator.

[muldoonman]

Let me trade you a gen set that will fry eggs on the side door before it shuts down for overheat. Now that's funny, NO!

[Joe Camper]

Marathon cools those Martin Generators with d/c automotive type cooling fans that are controlled with thermal switches verses the alternative of a/c powered cooling blowers that run constantly. I do not think they even go on till 170+.

I do not see why you could not put a thermal switch on the a/c blowers on yours although Ive never seen that.

Heck George I wish I would have known this sooner. Next time we boondock Ill just plug in to your buddy plug instead of running my gen. I will be more than glad to accomidate you with your problem. We will put plenty load on it.

You can afford to burn that deisel more than us too

[luvrbus]

Joe, they come on at 165 degrees or when they sense 70% load on the one I worked on, I don't care for that setup much it deals you misery here in AZ in Aug

good luck