
GENERATOR
BREAK-IN
PROCEDURE
DESCRIPTION
Although your engine has experienced a minimum
of
one
hour
of
test operations at the factory to make sure accurate
assembly procedures were followed and that the engine
· operated properly, a break-in time is required. The service
life
of
your engine is dependent upon how the engine is
operated and serviced during its initial hours
of
use.
Breaking-in a new engine basically involves seating the
piston rings to the cylinder walls. Excessive oil consumption
and smoky operation indicate that the cylinder walls are
glazed or scored, which is caused by overloading the
engine during the break-in period.
Your new engine requires approximately 50 hours
of
initial
conditioning operation to break in each moving part in order
to maximize the performance and service life
of
the engine.
Perform this conditioning carefully, keeping in mind the
following:
Start the engine according to the STARTING PROCEDURE
section. Run the engine while checking that all systems (raw
water pump, oil pressure, battery charging) are functioning.
AFTER
START-UP
Once the generator has been started, check for proper opera-
tion and then encourage a fast warm-up. Run the generator
between 20% and 60%
of
full-load for the first
10
hours.
After the first 10 hours
of
the generator's operation, the load
can
be
increased to the full-load rated output, then periodi-
cally vary the load.
Avoid
ove_rload
at all times.
An
overload is signaled by smoky
exhaust
With
reduced output voltage and frequency. Monitor
the current being drawn from the generator and keep it within
the generator's rating. Since the generator operates at 1800
rpm to produce 60 hertz (or at 1500 rpm to produce 50
Hertz), control
of
the generator's break-in is governed by the
current drawn from the generator.
NOTE:
Be aware
of
motor starting loads and the high current
draw required
for
starting motors. This starting amperage
draw can be 3 to 5 times normal running amperage. See
GENERATOR INFORMATION in this manual.
GENERATOR
ADJUSTMENTS
Once the generator has been placed in operation, there may be
governor adjustments required for engine speed (hertz) during
the engine's break-in period (first
50
hours) or after this
period see ENGINE SPEED (HERTZ) ADJUSTMENT) under
ENGINEADJUSTMENTS
..
A no-load voltage adjustment
may also
be
required in conjunction with the engine's speed
adjustment see GENERATOR INFORMATION.
THE
DAILY
ROUTINE
CHECK
LIST
Follow this check list each day before starting your generator.
• Check that all generator circuit breakers (power panel) are
in the off position before starting.
• Record the hourmeter reading in your log (engine hours
relate to the maintenance schedule.)
Any deficiency or problems in the following items must
be corrected before start up.
• Visually inspect the engine for fuel, oil, or water leaks.
• Check the oil level (dipstick).
• Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank.
• Check your fuel supply.
• Check the starting batteries (weekly).
• Check drive belts for wear and proper tension (weekly).
CHECK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.
• Check for abnormal noise such as knocking, vibrating and
blow-back sounds.
• Confirm exhaust smoke:
When the engine is cold -White Smoke.
When the engine is warm -almost Smokeless.
When the engine is overloaded -some Black Smoke.
NOTE:
Some unstable running may occur
in
a cold engine.
This condition should abate as normal operating temperature
is reached
and
loads are applied.
A
CAUTION:
Do
not
operate
the
generator
for
long
periods
of
time
without
a
load
being
placed
on
the
generator.
STOPPING
THE
GENERATOR
Remove
the
AC
amperage loads from the generator one at a time.
Allow
the generator to run for 3-5 minutes to stabilize the operating
temperature.
Then
push
the stop button. Once the generator shuts
down,
tum
off
the panel
DC
breaker as a safety precaution.
10
CAUTION
(WESTERLINK
or
NMEA·2000):
The electronic components
in
the
Digital Diesels draw a very small amount
of
amperage (milli-amps) from
the generator's starting battery when the unit is
in
a static state. This
maybe
as
much as 50 milli-amps
for
the system ECU and 50 milli-amps
for each display. This can be as much
as
72 amp-hours
in
a months time
with no generator use. It is not necessary to be concerned with this slight
amperage draw during normal seasonal use.
Howeve1;
ifthe generator
set is not to be usedfor a number
of
months, such as winter storage, it
is
best to disconnect the DC power
to
the generator with a NMEA-2000
system or shut
off
the DC breaker on the generator's colltrol box for a
WESTERLINK system.
NOTE:
Keep
in
mind that the Westerbeke generator maybe the DC power
supply for the vessel's NMEA-2000 network.