Power Generation: Product Operation and Maintenance

[donk]

I'm being told not to run this unit unloaded for more than 5 minutes, yes minutes, a year! How can this be?

[njc1979]

The concern is to avoid wet stacking which is fairly common in 3516 units.  Always refer to your O & M manual first and foremost.  I would contact your local dealer to review your application as well.  Always consult your dealer for current O & M information.

I would not suggest running the unit at extended periods of time without load or you will possibly see wetstacking occur.

Hope this helps.

Nick C.

[drr_22]

why do you need to run this unit unloaded?¿

[njc1979]

That is another good point- why do you need to run unloaded?

[OJBepgtech]

I know this is an old post but I like to read the old ones and perhaps others do too.  I would have to deduce that someone said that to avoid wet stacking dont run it unloaded more then 5 minutes when running it. It has nothing to do with per year. Point is Lightly loaded engines (under 50%) will have a host of problems such as wet stacking, also can glaze cylinder walls. Every unit run under an appreciable load for some time should be run unloaded for a 5 minute cooldown and is standard in industry. What cooldown does....For one the turbos spin up from exhaust and then  in turn and in close proximity turn the compressor part of turbo forcing more air in system. the cartridge sits between and is oil lubricated and this cools as well. If you shut down a loaded engine with no cooldown the exhaust side of turbo may well be over 800 degrees (1200 and higher on 3500's) and without cooldown and with no oil flowing the heat can transfer down shaft and burn the residual oil in bearing of cartridge possibly leading to a failure down the line. A 5 minute cooldown allows all parts of the engine to cool to usually the lowest temp that it will hit while running and prevent this from happening. If you are in a situation that you cannot apply a good amount of load then you should load bank unit at certain intervals to burn off all the slobberin the exhaust system.  Bottom line is lightly loaded engines for long duration is not good and can and will lead to early wear and repairs before the normal schedule. Some people will just have it fixed early......