Overheating Generator

[SpiderDiver]

Started up my GenACis Dolphin 4KVA generator the other day and ran OK for 10 mins before cutting out with overheat alarm. Checked visually with covers off and all seems Ok apart from being hot! Checked water flow - seems less than normal but impellor and inlet strainer OK. Cooling is direct seawater by the way. Seems like a blockage somewhere - main worry is boat has been out of water for several weeks in cold weather and I fear frost damage.

Any ideas on how to troubleshoot further?

 

[romany123]

Spider
Do you also have an air intake? is that blocked. I am not sure that, that would make it overheat. no doubt I will be corrected by the more knowlagable on here...just a thought

 

[aluijten]

It might be that the cooling water thermostat is stuck, or broken as a result of several weeks non usage

Arno

 

[david_bagshaw]

I agree it is most likely to be the thermostat, also frost damage usually leads to immediate leaks!

stats usually open at 40 deg c much hotter and the deposit of salts become a problem.

 

[Piers]

You say the impellor and inlet strainer are OK, and that the boat's been out of the water.

The clue maybe in your next comment - the water flow is less than normal. I would check nothing's crawled up the sea-water inlet pipe. It's happened before....

 

[SpiderDiver]

Thanks for all your ideas and thoughts guys (and the re-assurance re. frost damage!).

I am going to try and run it up without the thermostat firstly and then if still the same start checking the flow at various places.

Will post the results later.