Power Generation: Product Operation and Maintenance

[mntbear]

I purchase a used Olympian Generator. Nice shape 15kw and I need to do some maintenance on it.  So I contact CAT to get some manuals. The direct me to my local dealer. The local dealer can not help so I go straight to the factory and they can't help. Now why would a company make a product and not have a manual for it. The generator is only 7 years old. Is there any who can direct me to where I can get a manual or manuals. This is a propane generator, the manual for a gas or diesel generator is not the same at all.

Generator is a 2000 year model G15U1S, s/n F0090E/001

[njc1979]

Few things that maybe some of the others that read this can chime in on to help clarify.  I know the FG Wilson folks in S. Carolina can probably answer this.

FG Wilson/Perkins and CAT had a few challenges early on with the olympian product support.  Documentation was certainly one of those items.  Dealers had a very difficult time obtaining service and parts documents for these models.  From my experience the issue with your serial number.  It is not a traditional CAT serial number and is not recognized by the majority of CAT service databases.  However, there was a program called COMPASS that was issued a few years back that may be able to assist you in getting somewhere.  I am not sure if it is available to purchase outside the local dealer networks.  

Additionally, CAT has used a few engine suppliers for the small gas packages- FG WIlson, ISUZU, FORD, GM, and I think Generac way back in the day.  So, when dealt with these inquiries we were instructed to call the ENGINE manufacturer of the product, not CAT.  Remember, CAT didnt MAKE the engine/genset- they strictly made it yellow by adding their product nomenclature on it and letting their dealers distribute it.  (This may have changed now based on who their supplier is now.)

My suggestion would be to do the following:

1- If you contact your dealer ask for the "TECHNICAL COMMUNICATOR" for the ENGINE DIVISION this job deals with research and technical inquiries that assist with the items your after.

2- Inquiry to them about the COMPASS software which I think had the parts lists for most gensets and some limited service info.

3- Find out which engine manufacturer you have and try to see if they can help you.

Your Model number holds some key data- ( I am going from my memory only, so please verify with the CAT Dealer Tech. Comm)

G15U1S

G= Gas

15= KW 

U = Engine manufacturer- ( I think "U" is high speed RPM ISUZU, but I am not sure)

1S- Single Phase unit

I hope maybe one of dealers that know Olympian products better than I can assist if verifying my data- but I hope that know that your not being ignored- but what you have is probably a discontinued product with limited technical data available from CAT dealers/factory.

Regards,

Nick C.

[b020mrs]

Indeed, we have a hard time getting documentation on the Olympian products. As far as I can tell, the O+M manuals that ship with the units aren't made available in an electronic format anywhere like they are with Cat products, and even things like wiring diagrams tend to disappear when new versions pop up. That being said, there is no difference between the natural gas and propane engines other than timing and mixture adjustments, so the same manuals apply to both. (Also, in case there's some confusion, "gas" refers to gaseous fuels -- no gasoline-powered models exist.)

From LEXF3170, your generator uses a 901-046 air filter and a 951-179 oil filter, and takes about 5 quarts of oil and 1.6 gallons of coolant.

Nick, you're almost dead on about the model number breakdown. U is, I think, low speed Isuzu -- UH is high speed -- and the 1 is the system revision: new model engines get a new number, and the even numbers are emissions-compliant.

[woody]

mntbear:

Our product support team found the part numbers for the manuals. Your Cat dealer should be able to order paper copies of these for you via the Olympian Parts system. There may be a charge for them.

Technical O&M Manual: 277-949.
Alternator Installation and Maintenance Manual: 277-800

[mntbear]

I want to thank you both for the Answers. I did contact F. G. Wilson in S. C, But they had no answers at all. I will go back to my dealer and ask about the compass software. The engine is a low speed Isuzu and It just won't start. My local dealer is baffeled by it and I am sure I can service it if I have the manuals. I hate to just scrap it, when it isn't that old and I nice piece of equipment.

Thank you both again, this gives me another ave. to look at

mntbear