Kohler 5kW gen too hot?

E

E-man

Member
Jan 27, 2013
70
Lake Lanier
Boat Info
280 Sundancer 2001
Engines
6.2 Mercruiser 320 5kW Kohler Gen
I cranked the generator today and after a few minutes I started noticing what seemed like more exhaust coming out than usual. I looked at the temperature on the digital display and it said 195 degrees so i turned it off. I only have 10 hours on it and it may still be under warranty but that's too hot isn't it? I was thinking it should be around 175 degrees? It didn't shut off. I'm gonna check the strainer also because I didn't think it had an adequate amount of water discharging from it either.
 
Sounds like time for a new impeller.
 
E-man said:
I cranked the generator today and after a few minutes I started noticing what seemed like more exhaust coming out than usual. I looked at the temperature on the digital display and it said 195 degrees so i turned it off. I only have 10 hours on it and it may still be under warranty but that's too hot isn't it? I was thinking it should be around 175 degrees? It didn't shut off. I'm gonna check the strainer also because I didn't think it had an adequate amount of water discharging from it either.
Click to expand...
The 5 kw runs at 192 not under load up to 198 under full load m e runs about 194 to 198 depend g on load when I cool it down it runs 192
 
If the water is scalding you - it has a clog or bad impeller. The clog could be in the seacock or anywhere along the way. That doesn't mean you don't have water flow. But something is restricting the water flow. On my 320 the elbow off the sea cock has clogged with a piece of mulch (before the strainer) and it will shut the generator down. I have to remove the hose and use a coat hangar to get the mulch out.
 
I have water flow, just not quite as much as I would think (which I'm probably over estimating). I closed the T-valve for a second while it was running to see if I could un-clog a blockage and the gen turned off with a no water coolant error. I reset the fault and cranked it back up. Like I said, it will run and not shut down but the steam + temperature of the discharge water made me look at what the thermometer said the unit was running - which was 195 degrees. I guess I'll check the strainer and the impeller. I should have a new impeller and gasket just in case anyway. It is just under 1 year old and only has about 10.5 hours on it, I probably don't run it enough.
 
Can I buy an impeller for a Kohler at West Marine? I suspect I need to order one online?
 
E-man said:
Can I buy an impeller for a Kohler at West Marine? I suspect I need to order one online?
Click to expand...

I always kept an extra impeller on board. I went through one per season. The impeller was not very robust in my opinion.
 
E-man said:
I have water flow, just not quite as much as I would think (which I'm probably over estimating). I closed the T-valve for a second while it was running to see if I could un-clog a blockage and the gen turned off with a no water coolant error. I reset the fault and cranked it back up. Like I said, it will run and not shut down but the steam + temperature of the discharge water made me look at what the thermometer said the unit was running - which was 195 degrees. I guess I'll check the strainer and the impeller. I should have a new impeller and gasket just in case anyway. It is just under 1 year old and only has about 10.5 hours on it, I probably don't run it enough.
Click to expand...

were you loading the generator it will shut down at 202 degrees the numbers I posted earlier are on spec according to kohler if you ar 195 no load then you may have lost a vane that happened to mine last year I could run half load the min I full loaded ie air conditioner and microwave it went to 198 then 202 and shut down on heat took it apart and found one vane gone I had to fish it out and all was good.
 
I only had the receptacles and refrigerator on the other day when I ran the gen, I could turn the AC and microwave on and see. I bought a new impeller to at least have a spare, it should be here Thursday.
 
The impeller I ordered was shipped and marked as delivered by FedEx but it's not here... oh well I won't be changing it out this weekend unless I can buy one at West Marine or a store by the lake...
 
FedEx came through... Hey, my gen is in a soundbox. Can I just open a door or panel to get to the impeller? And to check the oil and coolant level? I would think so but I haven't tried to open it yet.
 
Handy hint the servicing agent gave me: if your impeller has destroyed itself make sure you back flush the exchanger as little bits can get stuck and affect cooling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,263
Messages
1,429,614
Members
61,140
Latest member
Terminator04
Back
Top