Generator Sets With a Factory Installed Sound Attenuated Enclosure May Not Perform Satisfactorily Under Full Load

Usage:

Generator Sets With a Factory Installed Sound Attenuated Enclosure May Not Perform Satisfactorily Under Full Load

CONFIDENTIAL TIBU3758

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN	December 18, 2002
PRODUCT FAMILY(S) Generator Set	3412C (9EP)
	Component Code(s) 1356

SUBJECT:

Generator Sets With a Factory Installed Sound Attenuated Enclosure May Not Perform Satisfactorily Under Full Load

PROBLEM:

The radiator fan in the 179-0278 Radiator Group that is installed in the sound attenuated enclosure on the 3412C Generator Set may not provide adequate airflow into the radiator core. Thus cooling performance may be limited. There may be a missing seal between the radiator and the enclosure?s front panels. There also may be gaps between the radiator and the front panels of the enclosure allowing air to re-circulate even if there is a seal installed. Production tolerances could result in the radiator being placed on the base in a different location than original design intended. If this occurs, the radiator fan that is mounted on the engine will not properly project into the radiator shroud. If this is the case, the fan will lose its ability to provide required airflow. These conditions will cause the engine to overheat at ambient temperatures below the 43 ° C (109 ° F) design criteria.

SOLUTION:

The above problem continues to be investigated. In the interim, Caterpillar suggest the following:

If the Generator Set is equipped with the EMCP II+, it is recommended to verify the oil temperature shutdown settings. Reprogram the setting to 115 C° (239 ° F). Adjusting the setting alone will provide 800 kW full load performance at 38 ° C (100 ° F) ambient temperature.

Check the radiator fan projection. The radiator fan projection is the amount of fan that sticks out from the fan shroud towards the engine. If less than ? the fan blade is inside of the radiator shroud, consider installing a longer fan adapter (part # 7C-4911 Fan Adapter). This fan adapter is 5.98" long. When installed, the new adapter will position the fan properly in the middle of the shroud. This should provide proper air flow for the radiator.

Adjust the tension for the radiator fan belts to 160 ± 25 lb for new belts and 100 ± 10 lb for used belts (belts that have been operated at rated speed for more that 30 minutes).

Install missing seals, if applicable.

Dilute the coolant to 30/70% antifreeze to water if the ambient conditions in your area allow for this adjustment.

By performing Steps 1 through 4, the ambient temperature of full load capacity of the Generator Set can be increased to 41.5 ° C (107 ° F). If the climate permits, Step 5 may be completed in addition to Steps 1 through 4. This should allow full load operation of the Generator Set in 43 ° C (109 ° F) ambient temperature.

If the Generator Set is running at full load capacity in 43 ° C (109 ° F) ambient temperature, it can be expected that the jacket water coolant temperature alarm may be activated. The jacket water coolant temperature alarm is an amber light that blinks on the Electronic Modular Control Panel (EMCP) when the alarm is tripped. The factory default for this alarm is 101 ° C (214 ° F). The factory set shutdown temperature is 107 ° C (225 ° F).