Another Lister generator problem

[Joeboy]

Lister is if I mind right a compression ignition engine with no glow plug? Could do the spill of burning paper trick at the air inlet? Is it particularly cold where you are? Easy start is OK but can be addictive to engines if used too much.

I didn't want to say the other day but you might have blocked the injector with tank debris when it ran dry.

I'd go paperspill (big one), easy start, then both. Then mechanic.

[Countrypaul]

If you want something gentler than easy start, brake/clutch cleaner can be used - much less rattling from the engine as it burns more slowly.

[Sunrisemike]

Beginning to think that I might have blocked the injector, but then the fuel intake is not right at the bottom of the tank and it flows out of the bleed points. will try a tiny squirt of easy start. Getting the injector out looks tricky in the confined space of the rocker box.

[spread-tee]

I bet you're right Mike about crud in the injector. The mist coming from the exhaust would suggest fuel is getting pumped in to the cylinder but I bet the spray pattern is all mucked up and it wont fire. I had a big old Perkins diesel which was a terror for doing just that, the teeniest bit of grit in the injector would cause mayhem, it turned out to be a small split on the fuel filter element letting gunk through. Those old type injectors are pretty simple to take apart and clean, but you must be scrupulously clean on reassembly and be very careful of the fuel spray, the high pressure makes it very dangerous.

[Sunrisemike]

Thanks for info, I'll take another look at it and maybe find somewhere to give it a clean out. Frustrating!

[Sunrisemike]

OK, so removed the injector and connected to the fuel line, and no spray. Took it to Asher in Southampton who will test it next week. Meanwhile, i ordered a stand by generator from Amazon. Says 3.8 kw, but when i wired it in to the charger, it trips. It's a Victron Centaur, 24v 70 amp. According to the blogs, 3 kw should charge it.(the Lister is rated at 3). Any ideas? the sockets on the generator are pretty micky mouse, but thought as an emergency generator, should be OK. This is generator number 5 in 23 years. The joy of being off grid! I do have number 1 generator still running, it's a pramac, but 20 years old. This grey cloud is not helping at all!

Mike

[AGT]

N&E not bonded together in the genny

[Marcus]

That pic you posted says 2kva as well as 3.8kw , so your charger might well be close to it's limit.

You don't say what tripped (charger? Genny? Intermediate breaker?, what sort of breaker?)? And when? And did it trip again when if immediately reset?

[Countrypaul]

That pic you posted says 2kva as well as 3.8kw , so your charger might well be close to it's limit.

You don't say what tripped (charger? Genny? Intermediate breaker?, what sort of breaker?)? And when? And did it trip again when if immediately reset?

24v x 70A is 1.7 kW allowing for inefficiency it could easily draw significantly more, especially at startup so 2VA might well be somewhat light.

This appears to give a few more details about the actual engine: https://www.excaliburpower.com/Product/ ... S173F.html
but the alternator appears to be 2.0kVA (contiuous) and 2.2 kVA (maximum).

[Joeboy]

OK, so removed the injector and connected to the fuel line, and no spray. Took it to Asher in Southampton who will test it next week. Meanwhile, i ordered a stand by generator from Amazon. Says 3.8 kw, but when i wired it in to the charger, it trips. It's a Victron Centaur, 24v 70 amp. According to the blogs, 3 kw should charge it.(the Lister is rated at 3). Any ideas? the sockets on the generator are pretty micky mouse, but thought as an emergency generator, should be OK. This is generator number 5 in 23 years. The joy of being off grid! I do have number 1 generator still running, it's a pramac, but 20 years old. This grey cloud is not helping at all!

Mike

I'd have ordered a recon injector and had the old one serviced and gone on the shelf along with a spare fuel filter. While it's offline I'd dump the fuel tank, inspect internally for rust/scale/sludge then reinstall/replace/clean as required along with new fuel filter and purge all through again before fitting the recon injector. But that's just me. I do respect the offgrid life that relies on gensets for back up. Often wondered the running cost difference between diesel & LPG in the say 10 day per year running scenario?