Standby Heating Devices For Diesel Generator

Standby Heating Devices For Diesel Generator

Standby Heating Devices

Cummins Power Generation recommends installing diesel standby generator sets (life safety systems) equipped with engine jacket water coolant heaters in locations where the minimum ambient temperature is below 40 oF (4 oC). Cummins Power Generation also requires that the engine be heated as necessary to maintain the water jacket temperature determined by the manufacturer for cold start and load acceptance for the type of system. Although most Cummins Power Generation generator sets will start in temperatures down to -25 oF (-32 oC) when equipped with engine jacket water coolant heaters, it might take more than 10 seconds to warm the engine before a load can be applied when ambient temperatures are below 40 oF (4 oC).

On generator sets equipped with a graphic display, the Low Coolant Temperature message, in conjunction with illumination of the Warning LED, is provided to meet the current requirements. The engine cold sensing logic initiates a warning when the engine jacket water coolant temperature falls below 70 oF (21 oC). In applications where the ambient temperature falls below 40 oF (4 oC), a cold engine may be indicated even though the coolant heaters are connected and operating correctly. Under these conditions, although the generator set may start, it may not be able to accept load within 10 seconds. When this condition occurs, check the coolant heaters for proper operation. If the coolant heaters are operating properly, other precautions may be necessary to warm the engine before applying a load.