TP-6905 9/21
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Section 2 Generator Set Operation
Short circuits. Hazardous voltage/current will cause
severe injury or death.
Short circuits can cause bodily injury
and/or equipment damage
.
Do not contact electrical
connections with tools or jewelry while making adjustments or
repairs. Remove all jewelry before servicing the equipment.
To ensure continued satisfactory operation perform the
following checks or inspections before or at each
startup, as designated, and at the intervals specified in
the service schedule. In addition, some checks require
verification after the unit starts.
Air Cleaner.
Check for a clean and installed air cleaner
element to prevent unfiltered air from entering the
engine.
Air Inlets.
Check for obstructions that could block the
flow of cooling air. Keep the air intake area clean. Do not
leave rags, tools, or debris on or near the generator set.
Battery.
Check for tight battery connections. Consult
the battery manufacturer’s instructions regarding
battery care and maintenance.
Coolant Level.
Check the coolant level according to the
cooling system maintenance information.
Drive Belt.
Check the belt condition of the water pump
and battery charging alternator belt.
Exhaust System.
Check for exhaust leaks and
blockages. Check the silencer and piping condition and
check for tight exhaust system connections.
Inspect the exhaust system components for cracks and
corrosion (exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, exhaust
clamps, and silencer).
D
Check for corroded or broken metal parts and replace
them as needed.
D
Check that there are no combustible materials near
the exhaust outlet.
D
Check that the exhaust outlet is unobstructed.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
Check for the
installation and operation of carbon monoxide (CO)
detectors on each level of any building near the
generator set.
Oil Level.
Maintain the oil level at or near, not over, the
full mark on the dipstick.
2.3 Exercise the Generator Set
Operate the generator set without load every week or
every other week for 20 minutes. Perform all of the
prestart checks before starting the exercise procedure.
See Section 2.5 for instructions to set the automatic
exerciser.
2.4 Generator Set Operation
2.4.1
Local Starting and Stopping
Start:
Press the RUN button to immediately start the
generator set.
Stop:
Press the OFF button. The engine stops.
Run the generator set with no load for at least 2 minutes
to ensure adequate engine cooldown.
2.4.2
Automatic Starting and Stopping
An automatic transfer switch monitors the utility power
and signals the generator set to start when utility power
is lost. The ATS then transfers the load to the generator
set.
When utility power is restored, the transfer switch
transfers the load back to utility, runs the generator set
with no load to cool down the engine, and then stops the
generator set engine. The electric fans continue to run
for two minutes after the engine shuts down to evacuate
the engine compartment.
2.4.3
Remote Starting and Stopping
A remote switch connected to terminals 3 and 4 can be
used to start and stop the generator set. Close the
switch to start and run the generator set. Open the
switch to stop the generator set.
Run the generator set with no load for at least 2 minutes
to ensure adequate engine cooldown.
2.4.4
Engine Start Crank Cycle
The controller attempts to start the generator set three
times (three crank cycles, 15 seconds crank and
15 seconds off). If the generator set does not start in
three attempts, the system shuts down on an overcrank
fault. See Section 2.6.
Pressing the OFF button during the crank cycle stops
the cranking. No other buttons are acknowledged during
the crank cycle.
2.4.5
Engine Cooldown
The engine cooldown time delay allows the engine to
run after the loads have been removed.
The engine cooldown time delay is set to 5 minutes. The
engine stops before the cooldown time delay expires if
the temperature drops below the cooled-down
temperature level, or if the temperature rises above the
high limit during the cooldown cycle.
The electric fans continue to run for two minutes after the
engine shuts down to evacuate the engine
compartment.