Yesterday I went with a friend that does generator repare work and preventive maint. The gen. was 100KW Generac with the Ford engine. Part of the test he does was to start the engine and run it through to check it out for any problems with the engine or gen. It amazed me to see that engine go from off to 3600 RPM, which is the RPM required to maintain 60 cycles. The unit is 8 months old and has MC 5-20 in it, but after one year he plans to put a 5-20 synt in. Standing next to the engine upon start was startling to say the least. Seems like a little idle time would help, but no, that engine goes straight to 3600. Wonder if this will shorten the engine life .
Ford 5.4 In a generator
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Did it have an electrical load on it? If not, its probably ok.
When I used to work on the MS river, the generators on our tugboat would do the same thing. Start right up and automatically go straight to operating RPM. There was a mandatory 5 minute warm-up period before we were allowed to put a load on the generator. After 5 minutes we would throw the switch and the generator would then take the electical load and we could shut off shore power.
When I used to work on the MS river, the generators on our tugboat would do the same thing. Start right up and automatically go straight to operating RPM. There was a mandatory 5 minute warm-up period before we were allowed to put a load on the generator. After 5 minutes we would throw the switch and the generator would then take the electical load and we could shut off shore power.
And these were CAT diesels with a TON of hours on them.
Originally Posted By: stranger706
Did it have an electrical load on it? If not, its probably ok.
When I used to work on the MS river, the generators on our tugboat would do the same thing. Start right up and automatically go straight to operating RPM. There was a mandatory 5 minute warm-up period before we were allowed to put a load on the generator. After 5 minutes we would throw the switch and the generator would then take the electical load and we could shut off shore power.
No. This a standby gen. that produces power from the get go. I can't imangine doing that to an engine in 0F. My friend does plan to put synt in it at the next OC. M1 5-20, but he plans to check with Generac to see if M1 0-20 would be acceptable to them.
Did it have an electrical load on it? If not, its probably ok.
When I used to work on the MS river, the generators on our tugboat would do the same thing. Start right up and automatically go straight to operating RPM. There was a mandatory 5 minute warm-up period before we were allowed to put a load on the generator. After 5 minutes we would throw the switch and the generator would then take the electical load and we could shut off shore power.
No. This a standby gen. that produces power from the get go. I can't imangine doing that to an engine in 0F. My friend does plan to put synt in it at the next OC. M1 5-20, but he plans to check with Generac to see if M1 0-20 would be acceptable to them.
Being that it's a standby engine, I doubt long-term wear is of any concern to them..
When I was younger, I would often take the work trucks right out of the shop on a 0 degree day and blast around the lot while bouncing off the rev-limiter in 1st gear. Those were 6.8L Ford V10's. All of them lived a normal life.
When I was younger, I would often take the work trucks right out of the shop on a 0 degree day and blast around the lot while bouncing off the rev-limiter in 1st gear. Those were 6.8L Ford V10's. All of them lived a normal life.
Ford Makes A Great Engine... You can do almost anything to them
Some Generac's with the 5.4 are a turbocharged 5.4 with the turbo mounted straight on top. Many 6.8's are turbo as well. This goes for Kohler's as well.
745.7 watts = 1 HP
100,000 watts ÷ 745.7 = 134.102 horsepower
So if 134.102 HP = 100K, That 5.4 even in basic 260 HP form as originally introduced in 1997 is hardly overworked. 5W40 & 0W40 oils have proven to work very well in these Modular engine gensets. If you notice, the starters on this type of generator are huge compared to what you find in a car or truck.
745.7 watts = 1 HP
100,000 watts ÷ 745.7 = 134.102 horsepower
So if 134.102 HP = 100K, That 5.4 even in basic 260 HP form as originally introduced in 1997 is hardly overworked. 5W40 & 0W40 oils have proven to work very well in these Modular engine gensets. If you notice, the starters on this type of generator are huge compared to what you find in a car or truck.
The local cable TV station here has 2 large generators that are powered by 855 cuin Cummins diesels. Those go from off to 2100 rpm immediatly. Doesn't seem to hurt them.
Wow, I'm surprised that it is a two pole windings on the generator, usually when you get that big they are four pole, so then they are 1800 RPM. At work we have two standby gen sets. A 1980's Kohler 20KW with a Ford 2.3 natural gas, and a new Cummins 175KW tier 3 diesel. Both are 1800 RPM. With block heaters, crankcase heaters, battery heaters, winding heaters, going from start to full load is not that big of an issue. From power fail to gen backup is about 7 seconds on the new Cummins.
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