4 Cyl Kubota Engine Shutdown

[Jim Eh.]

Purchased a used 8K rebuilt genny (Northern Lights) that the PO claimed to have built out of two gennys, one with a bad motor and one with a bad head.
Problem is I have shoehorned it into the old condenser bay and it is a very tight fir. I initially had a concern of overheating but during our run up tests the thermostat housing does not get over 180 (no load). It takes from 10 to 20 minutes to shut down but the temp does not seem to be the cause of the shutdown.
After the first run up tests we did last year, starting was prompt and it lit up quite quickly. This go around it seems to take a long time to catch. Slow to build up to 1800 but no smoke. I will be replacing the fuel filter(s) but it puzzles me as to why once up to speed it takes 10-20 minutes for it to shut down. Oil level /condition is good. Air filter is clean. Anything else to look at?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Does it shut down when you leave the condenser bay door open so most of the heat can escape? 

I had an Onan that did that and after I wrapped my exhaust manifold and pipes with Engine Heat Protection wrap, it stopped shutting down as it forced the heat out the exhaust pipe instead of into my compartment.

[chessie4905]

Check the shutdown temp sending unit. Also buy an ir gun and verify the temp gauge is accurate.

[Geoff]

If you have a normally open shut off, then it takes electrical power to activate it and shut your engine off.  if it is slow to shut off there is something wrong with it.  Next time it is warmed up, take a 12v(24?) wire to itthe terminal and see if it reacts.

[richard5933]

What's the genset using as a switch to shut things down?

Had a similar problem with our Perkins/Kohler 12.5kw, and in the end it was a failing reset button/shutdown relay. It developed a trigger finger as it aged and shut down prematurely.

[luvrbus]

The shut down is both AC and DC the DC side opens the fuel the AC holds the shutdown open while running.Northern Lights is a marine generator a different world ,those controls and boards can be a little tricky I hope it's just a fuel problem

[richard5933]

The shut down is both AC and DC the DC side opens the fuel the AC hold the fuel shut down open while running.Northern Lights is a marine generator a different world

So either side failing would create a shut-down?

Does Northern Lights publish trouble shooting guides?

[Jim Eh.]

Does it shut down when you leave the condenser bay door open so most of the heat can escape? 
The whole door is nothing more than coarse wire mesh. Not too sure what leaving the door open would achieve

Check the shutdown temp sending unit. Also buy an ir gun and verify the temp gauge is accurate.
The sender is new and was working last set up session. I am using an IR gun to check temp right at the thermostat housing.

If you have a normally open shut off, then it takes electrical power to activate it and shut your engine off.  if it is slow to shut off there is something wrong with it.  Next time it is warmed up, take a 12v(24?) wire to itthe terminal and see if it reacts.
Not sure if I know where that is.

The PO was using this unit as a power source for an off grid homestead in the southeast of my Province. He sold it as he moved into a larger town setting as his family was growing.

What's the genset using as a switch to shut things down?
Just a momentary switch simliar to what is on an Onan control panel.

Does Northern Lights publish trouble shooting guides?
I had a quick look earlier but I will keep looking. Info in general not too plentiful on this unit. Plus is is a hybrid of sorts as the engine and the generator head are not from the same mother.

Thank you for the replies. I still have not had time to swap out the fuel filter but once I do so and do a run up, I will check the items listed below if the shutdown re-occurs. Also I have yet to be present when the unit actually shuts down so I am not sure if it quits with a whimper or goes out with a bang.

Thanks

[luvrbus]

Is the shut down mounted on the outside of the pump ?

[richard5933]

Some of the shut down mechanisms use a time delay function. Often it is nothing more than a bimetal switch controlled by a heat tab. The high-temp and/or low-oil sensors send the ground to the heat tab, and if it heats long enough that bimetal switch will pop open/closed.

Find the shut down switch and work backwards.

[Jim Eh.]

Sorry, race weekend. I will have a look this week and see if I can find it. I do have a manual for online around, somewhere ....