3516B HD Generator Set Caterpillar

Sufficient Warm-Up Time

The engine should be warmed up before the engine is returned to full operation. Damage to valves and components during operation in very cold temperature conditions can result from engine operation for short intervals. Damage to the engine can occur from starting the engine and stopping the engine many times without allowing the engine to reach normal operating temperature. The fuel and the oil are not completely burned in the combustion chambers while the engine is operating below the normal operating temperature. This fuel and oil causes soft carbon deposits on the valve stems. Generally, these deposits do not cause problems because these deposits are burned off during operation at normal engine temperatures. When the engine is started and the engine is stopped frequently the engine may not reach the normal operating temperature. This will cause the carbon deposits to become thicker. This will prevent the free operation of the valves. This can also cause the following conditions: valves to stick, pushrods to bend and other damage to valve train components. Operate the engine at no load until the coolant temperature is at a minimum temperature of 71 °C (160 °F). This will keep the carbon deposits on the valve stems at a minimum. This will also maintain free operation of the valves and the valve train components. The engine will remain in better condition and the service life of the engine may be extended when the engine is warmed up at no load. Lubrication will be improved, with less acid and sludge in the oil. This will give longer service life for the engine bearings, the piston rings, and other parts. However, limit unnecessary idle time to ten minutes. Engine wear is greatest at low idle and unnecessary idling wastes fuel.

Engine Block Heaters

A block heater can improve the startability and a block heater can reduce the warm up time by heating the coolant that surrounds the combustion chambers. An electric block heater can be activated immediately after the engine is stopped. The use of a block heater will reduce the temperature that would require a starting aid. An effective block heater is typically a 1250/1500 W unit. Contact your Caterpillar dealer for more information.

Batteries

Install batteries that will provide adequate cold cranking amps (CCA) in order to start the engine and operate the engine at the coldest expected temperatures. Maintain proper battery electrolyte level. Keep all batteries fully charged to a corrected specific gravity of 1.250 or above and keep the batteries warm. Heating of the battery compartment or storage in a warm location will maximize the cranking power of the battery. The temperature of the batteries has a considerable effect on the available power. The batteries will not have enough power for cranking the engine and starting the engine if the batteries are too cold, even with a warm engine. Batteries typically have only fifty percent of the capability at −10 °C (14 °F) versus 27 °C (81 °F). Only ten percent of the original power is available at a temperature of −35 °C (−31 °F). Check the condition of the batteries and the electrolyte level in each battery cell except for maintenance free batteries. Remove the battery filler caps. Maintain the electrolyte level to the bottom of the openings for the battery filler caps with distilled water. If distilled water is not available, use clean water, that is low in minerals. Do not use artificially softened water or drinking water. The salt in artificially softened water will damage the efficiency of your batteries. At the proper charging rate in a moderate climate, a battery should not require more than 30 cc (1 oz) of water per cell per week. Check the cells weekly in arctic temperatures. The cell water usage could be higher.