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3 cooling and ventilating air – Guardian Technologies 04164-3 User Manual

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2.3 COOLING AND VENTILATING AIR

It is absolutely essential that an adequate flow of
air for cooling, ventilating and engine combustion
be supplied to the generator set. Without sufficient
airflow, the engine/generator quickly overheats. Such
overheating can cause serious operating difficulties
and also may cause fire and personal injury. The
installer must make sure that sufficient air is avail-
able to the generator for cooling, ventilating and
combustion. The installer also must provide for a
path for exhausting the cooling air to the exterior of a
compartment, if so equipped.

DANGER

Never use discharged cooling air for heating or

permit such air to enter the vehicle interior. This
air contains deadly carbon monoxide gas and
other poisonous, flammable or explosive gases.

2.3.1 GENERATOR

AIRFLOW

Engine operation drives cooling fans for the two-stage
cooling air system. A pressure fan draws cooling air
into the top of the generator (Figure 2.9). This airflow
cools the engine/generator and electronic components.
The second part of the cooling system, a suction fan,
draws air that is heated from a hot engine into a col-
lector pan at the base of the unit. This heated air
(although cooler than exhaust muffler) is then deflected
out the bottom toward the ground.

Figure 2.9 – Airflow Through Engine/Generator

2.3.2 COOLING AIR INLET OPENINGS

The minimum size of the air inlet opening, whether
the generator is housed in a conventional compart-
ment or not, is at least 100 square inches (see
Figure 2.10). This rule applies whether inlet air is
brought in through an opening in the compartment
door, an opening in the vehicle skirt, through duct-
work, or by any other means.

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NOTE:

Screening, louvers or expanded metal that cover
air openings restrict airflow. Compensate for this
by making the actual air opening proportionately
larger. See the "Compensating for Restrictions" sec-
tion.

Figure 2.10 – Air Inlet in Compartment Door

NOTE:

Be sure to meet the minimum clearances illus-
trated in Figure 2.4.

When the unit is installed on a suspended mounting
system, one of several different methods of supplying
airflow may be used as follows:

Provide a door in the vehicle skirt having an air

inlet opening (Figure 2.11).

Figure 2.11 – Suspended Mount: Inlet Door

Using ductwork (Figure 2.12). The installer must

be sure air is available to the top of the generator
since air inlets are located at the top.

By providing an opening in the vehicle skirt and

space behind the generator for cooling airflow
(Figure 2.13). Recommended clearance behind
the back of the generator is at least 1/2 inch (13
mm).

Section 2 – Installation

Recreational Vehicle Generator