Overcrank

[VT/NJ]

Hi -

I've got a newly installed 16kw Guardian air cooled gen at a vacation house in VT. I went up this weekend and the panel had the overcrank light on. It did exercise OK when I was there but it gets cold up there and wondered if anyone has experience or would recommend using a battery warmer or anything else for the artic months? I saw in one group that someone had put the battery in a heated space in their house (basement) and run it from there. I'll regap the plugs I guess?

Thanks in advance.

[Kelly Myers]

Overcrank issues are usually associated with fuel. Are you running this off a small propane tank that could be icing up?

It also could be a failed choke. Take off the air box (the top two thumbs crews) and take off the air filter. During the first crank cycle the choke should block off port #2 completely. Is it doing this?

It could also be a weak battery. Test battery voltage.

Does it turn over when you hit manual?

I have never witnessed an overcrank due to engine block temperature.

[VT/NJ]

Thanks for replying Kelly. It's very hard to find expertise like yours anywhere and I appreciate your help. The propane guys know the fuel, the electrician knows the circuits....I'll have to fill in the gaps.:eek:

Fuel is LP from an older tank approx 200 gallon I think. The propane company has wanted to replace it for some time now. Is the issue with fuel one of pressure (psi) to the gen? The propane co. ran a line to the generator off of the main line going to the house.

I'll check on the choke and the battery the next time I'm up.

It turned over when exercising when I was there but when I arrived the overcrank light was on.

So a battery pad/wrap isn't necessary right?

I'm in over my head a bit here and getting to know this tech so be patient.

-Ben

[Kelly Myers]

I am by no means a propane expert, but what I can tell you is the more load you put on a tank, the colder it becomes. The colder it becomes the less fuel it can yield, and it is a snowball effect until the load is reduced, or the tank ices over.

We have alot of customers with 250gallon tanks here in Michigan, and we have never had issues with tanks freezing.

One thing that worries me, is you said that the propane company ran the fuel line into the house to the existing pipe run. This means they tied into the low pressure side of the regulator. Its more common for propane companies to tie in before the house regulator and run high pressure to the generator, then use a regulator to the proper pressure.

I hope your low pressure gas run has sufficient flow capabilities.

In the summer months, when you lose power, you will have:

1. Generator Running
2. Hotwater heater cycling (opt)
3. Cooktop/Oven cycling (opt)

So our BTU consumption is fairly low. So if the piping inside your house can carry 300,000 BTU's then you are fine.

In the winter, we throw in the fuel consumption of your furnace. That means if your furnace is running, it will be taking (on average) 120,000 BTU's.

The generator may work fine unless the furnace is running, then we have maxed out our fuel flow.

Or it could be your choke control :D

Post back and let me know what you find out.

[VT/NJ]

Its more common for propane companies to tie in before the house regulator and run high pressure to the generator, then use a regulator to the proper pressure

Thats what they did. Before the house regulator they tied in, ran a line to another regulator by the gen. so I think were OK there.

I'll check out the choke.

Thanks for all the info

Ben