Generator cooling fan fix

[ajducote]

On my way thru Tennessee my generator shut down due to over heating. A little trouble shooting and I discovered that the 120 Volt cooling fan that draws air thru the radiator was not working. I called Royale Phoenix and asked for help. Dan and Glen were a great help. Basically it could be 1 of 3 different issues.
1. A small breaker on the generator that sends power to the fan.
2. A "start capacitor" for the motor
3. The electric motor for the fan

Glen said it is almost always the start capacitor. So I had him send one to my next stop. I received it today, installed it in 5 minutes and luckily that was the problem. The cooling fan is working again.

Upon close examination of the bad capacitor I discovered that it was swollen at the top. I did not notice it until I compared it to the new one.

Cost
$16.82 for the capacitor
$15.92 for 2 day shipping.

For once an easy and fairly inexpensive fix. Could have been worse.

[rphollaender]

Hello Andre, I have a 2006 Royale and am looking for the cooling fan motor, can you give me a hint where to look.
Thanks
Rob Hollaender

Update: Chuck talked me throught it, Thanks Chuck. It is located in the gen compartment, some disassembly required.

[ajducote]

Rob,

I have a 1999, so it may be different. My cooling fan is behind thee generator radiator. I would need to pull the radiator to get to it. Luckily I only needed to change start capacitor which was in a steel box just above the radiator.

[rahangman]

Andre, what kind of generator set do you have?

[Charles Spera]

So, after reading about Andre's adventure and chatting with Rob about his, we are awakened at 4am by a very loud squealing noise!
We're dry camping at the Horseshoe casino in Shreveport on our way home from POG X.
Turns out that the cause is a failed bearing on (wait for it....) the generator cooling fan. It ought to be simple to repair but it isn't going to happen in a parking lot, we'll just find a hookup for tonights stay.
Cheers,

[rphollaender]

Hello Chuck, my problem turned out to be a simple loose breaker connnection. My start relay is also located in a junction box inside the gen compartment, same as Andre's.

[travelite]

Those generator fan start capacitors are typically 5MFD 370 VAC devices and are available at most HVAC outlets for a few bucks. Here it is at Graingers, although they don't appear to carry it anymore: part number: 5M003. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/search.shtml?searchQuery=5m003&op=search&Ntt=5m003&N=0&sst=subset

[Seabyrd]

Chuck... did you go over to the Jack of Diamonds for the night? Did you get your geberator fixed? Hope it all went well for you.
Diane


So, after reading about Andre's adventure and chatting with Rob about his, we are awakened at 4am by a very loud squealing noise!
We're dry camping at the Horseshoe casino in Shreveport on our way home from POG X.
Turns out that the cause is a failed bearing on (wait for it....) the generator cooling fan. It ought to be simple to repair but it isn't going to happen in a parking lot, we'll just find a hookup for tonights stay.
Cheers,

[Charles Spera]

Rob, glad the problem was simple to fix; sorry the diagnosis was such a PIA. Hope your trip came off as planned.

Di we pulled in to the Horseshoe and stayed there. All was good until the generator cooling fan woke us up at 4:00 am. The failed bearig is part of a stock Dayton cooling fan that was easily sourced at Grainger. Instead of fooling around with the old parts we decided to simply replace the whole fan assembly. Work is all done and better (in my opinion) than the original.

Hi to all from Barbie. She is pretty much recovered from her tumble and looking forward to the next opportunity to ride a Segway. The warmth and concern shown by so many towards her are more indication of the nice people we have met in POG.

Thanks to all