[Fourlanders] Contest Weekend

[Kos]

So as I finish preparing my generator I should plan on equipping it with a L14-30 socket?

Kos, N4NIA




________________________________
From: Brian McCarthy <brian at rfacres.com>
To: 4Landers <fourlanders at contesting.com>
Sent: Wed, June 23, 2010 11:37:55 AM
Subject: Re: [Fourlanders] Contest Weekend

I don't want to see any Corrective Action Report paperwork! I get enough of
that at work.

In regards to repairing my diesel generator. I have found much more
documentation on the web about this particular engine and generator
combination than I was able to find in the past. It seems that the Kia 2.4L
was used from approximately 1997-2001. During that time, there were three
different alternators used. The Kubota look-alike disposable alternator
being the last. In all cases, the upper bracket has been the same part
number. I will be looking into the cost of the other two alternator
versions. I am also thinking that I would be prudent to have a spare
alternator and bracket in the generator kit.

In doing this research, I also found that the battery charger that had been
electrically taking the place of the alternator has been running at 100% of
rating. I really need to reinstate alternator running and charging of the
12VDC system in the generator. Again, good reason to have spares for the
alternator in the generator kit.

Some of you may also remember that there was a full electronic control panel
with engine metering and automatic shutdown on failure. Given the way the
generator failed, if it had happened during the night, I might have had a
completely seized engine rather than just a coolant mess. There are direct
replacement controllers showing up now on eBay and similar at prices in the
range of mere mortals. In September, there will be some form of auto
shutdown on failure, or I will not bring that generator.

While I was packing up the large power lead into the generator, I realized
that I still have the adapter pigtail with the 60A 3-pin socket to an L14-30
plug. This would allow simply unplugging the large cable at the diesel
generator, adding the pigtail and plugging into an L14-30 socket equipped
generator. Scott, NN4W, now owns my old gas generator. If we had brought
that generator  with us, it would have been simple to swap generators and
then provision some gasoline to keep running. We could have continued 6M on
full power with no rewiring. The gas generator would also have been down the
hill and camp would have continued to be pretty quiet.

Let's fill in the action plan, but I don't want to see any paperwork.

Cheers,
Brian
NX9O

On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 12:39 PM, Bill Pence <pence.bill at gmail.com> wrote:

> well, it is what it is.
> however, not much longer and the generator WOULD be on fire.
> you were proactive in identifying the issue and raising the flag.
> then we formed a cross-functional team to analyze and resolve with
> BOTH short term and long term corrective actions. plus we enacted rick
> mitigation strategies.
> maybe the reason the generator went out later was a lack of powerpoint
> slides.
> (all I need now is a buzz word bingo card.)
>
> On Tue, Jun 22, 2010 at 12:24 PM, Jim Worsham <wa4kxy at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
> > I guess I am going to be hearing about the "generators on fire" thing for
> a
> > long time.
> >
> > 73
> > Jim, W4KXY
> >
> >
> > It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how
> smart
> > you are.  If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong.
> > Richard P. Feynman
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com
> > [mailto:fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Sherman Banks
> > Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 5:53 PM
> > To: 4Landers
> > Subject: [Fourlanders] Contest Weekend
> >
> > I put some pictures and a writeup on my Web site from the past weekend.
> >
> >
> >
> > Here is the writeup:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> http://shermanbanks.net/Mary_and_Sherman_Web_Site/Blog/Entries/2010/6/14_Jun
> > e_VHF_QSO_Party.html
> >
> >
> >
> > And here are some pictures
> >
> >
> >
> >
> http://shermanbanks.net/Mary_and_Sherman_Web_Site/Photos/Pages/06.2010_June_
> > VHF_QSO_Party.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Fourlanders at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/fourlanders
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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