RCL Cooling
The RCL line uses three electric fans to remove heat: two (2) electric fans force air through the radiator to cool the engine, and one (1) electric fan removes heat from the enclosure. These fans are controlled by dedicated two-speed control circuits. On the 48 and 60kW units the radiator cooling high-speed circuit is engaged when the engine coolant reaches 200 degrees F., while the high-speed mode for the enclosure fan is activated when the engine compartment temperature reaches 135 degree F. On the 24-38kW units, the enclosure fans are switched to high-speed when measured enclosure temperatures reach 110 degrees F.
Properly maintaining the cooling system, will aid in ensuring a long service life of the generator and a better service relationship with the owner. By following simple steps and procedures, you can help to keep the system operating as designed and in service for a long time.
The main operation to follow is to ensure there are no leaks present. Leaks in a generator set cooling system can represent an absence of coolant within the engine and will lead to an overheating condition. Overheating the engine, will cause irreversible damage and can lead to catastrophic failures. It is also necessary to ensure the coolant’s ability to protect the engine against extreme temperatures as well. It is important to ensure the quality of the coolant or antifreeze is in the proper operating range. This will make sure the coolant will protect against extreme high or low temperatures.
By pressure testing a cooling system, you can simulate engine pressure produced by the water pump and aid in finding any abnormal leaks. This is accomplished using a cooling system pressure tester connected to the radiator pressure filler neck. This device uses a hand-operated pump and pressure gauge to pressurize the cooling system. NOTE! Do not pressurize the cooling system to a pressure greater than what is indicated on the radiator cap!!!
As the engine coolant degrades it can become acidic. This causes electrolysis to occur inside the engine which will erode the metals of the engine and cooling system from the inside out. Therefore, regular engine coolant flushes must be carried out according to the recommended service intervals. To test the coolant acidity, you will use your multimeter. Set your meter to measure millivolts (mV) and place the common (-) lead on the engine block while the positive (+) lead is placed in the coolant inside of the radiator. A reading of more than 200 mV (0.200 V) indicates severely acidic coolant.
Another way to check for coolant protection is to use a coolant pH test strip. These can be purchased at any auto parts store or online. These strips will be able to quickly tell the technician the coolant protection and the acidity level of the coolant. To collect a reading, simply follow the specific instructions on the container. The basic steps of the test are to remove a strip from the container, dip it into the coolant reservoir or radiator, wait the recommended time, and match the color present to the container of test strips.