PowerTech Fuel Pump problem?

[iamflagman]

I suspect that I may have a weak electric fuel pump on my Powertech generator that we installed a few years ago on my '82FC35RB 'Bird Wanderlodge Owners Group > Mechanic's Corner > Generators > Finn's Transplant (Powertech Generator), as the two days ago the generator slowed to a stop as if it were running out of fuel, the tank had 1/2 level of fuel in it, this happened three separate times but would start up again with no effort and then run for about 30 minutes before doing it again. I checked with a temp gun to see if it was overheating (the guages do not work) and the coolant and oil levels and they were OK, I also checked for loose wires and primed the pump to see it if was receiving constant power and that was OK, I will change the fuel filter today.

Yesterday after I filled with fuel, the generator ran for hours without having the same problem, but I'm ordering a spare fuel pump from Powertech to have on hand just in case.

[Morefire]

Is it anything like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=...%3AMEWAX%3AVRI

I am ordering one of these, to add inline closer to the fuel tank in my coach, to add a little more fuel pressure feeding my Gen & Aqua hot.

I already asked the seller how it works, he says I can leave this pump on, and once it makes enough pressure in the lines, it shuts off (like our water pumps)

I believe my gen is dying/stopping because it's having a hard time getting fuel from 20' away, with some bends along the way...

Maybe this can work for you too? it's cheap!!

[Paul]

John,

With the PowerTech, you need to make sure the bleed screw is backed off about 1/4 turn from full off which allows less resistance to the weak fuel pump used with the PowerTech. This is an undocumented "feature" which was explained to me years ago by PowerTech folks and has worked well for me.

[Somervillebus]

This one has worked good for me. Replaced about three yrs ago..so far so good. Cant remember the specs off hand.

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by Somervillebus

This one has worked good for me. Replaced about three yrs ago..so far so good. Cant remember the specs off hand.

Powertech offers a direct replacement for just a little less and with free shipping on Internet orders right now.



12 Volt Fuel Pump

$68.40


12 volt electric fuel pump. This pump is currently the replacment for all of Power Tech's generators.
PT# 08PE7061

[iamflagman]

Originally Posted by Paul

John,

With the PowerTech, you need to make sure the bleed screw is backed off about 1/4 turn from full off which allows less resistance to the weak fuel pump used with the PowerTech. This is an undocumented "feature" which was explained to me years ago by PowerTech folks and has worked well for me.

I was pretty sure that was already adjusted correctly as Randy pointed that out to me when I was at his place earlier in this trip, but I checked it again and set it just to make sure.

I have used the generator before with less fuel in the tank with no problems.

[iamflagman]

http://www.pbase.com/image/139374600

In order to take some of the fuel supply load off of the electric fuel pump on the Powertech/Kubota generator in my 'Bird, I want to install twin electric fuel pumps, each pump draws 1.5 amps @ 12 volts under full load, has anybody got any suggestions or pitfalls that I may run into by doing this?

[Paul]

John with the correct fuel pump, that is working to specs, you don't need dual pumps, especially as easy as it is to change them. IMHO, 2 pumps=2 headaches.

[fxdwg]

The only thing I can come up with is possibly not enough usage when using 2?? Might be better to just carry the spare, as Paul has suggested.

[iamflagman]

Thanks for the opinions but I ended up installing them anyway and I will see if it was a mistake down the road, but I like the idea. I still have another new spare electric pump just in case. The new design pump from Powertech took some different fittings to get it to work in the space where we ended up putting it when we performed the transplant in my 'Bird, so now I have added the new fittings to the spare pump also and it will be a easy switch. According to the manufacturer/supplier Airtex in Fairfield, Illinois they will each carry similar loads at designed pressure and volume and shouldn't be a problem, the excess fuel will just be returned to the tank, there is only a slight volume increase at the same pressure when the 2 pumps are in parallel, if they were in series according to them that would increase the pressure some, so they recommended that they be installed this way.

http://www.pbase.com/iamflagman/image/140650937

The addition of a TYCO relay now assures a full 12 volts to each pump and now the voltage going through the low oil pressure switch is only used to trigger the relay. I now also use the CAT 3208 electric fuel pump so that the fuel supply comes from the engines return line even when the CAT engine isn't runing.

http://www.pbase.com/image/143569371

I'm testing the generator using all 3 air conditioners as it is 75 degrees here today both with and without the CAT running as the fuel supply for my application comes from the fuel return line coming from the CAT and going to the fuel tank, when the engine isn't running it draws fuel from that same return line, just in the opposite direction that seems strange but it has worked this way since I have owned it.