Diesel Generator Set Coolant Use

by Starlight Generator dieselgeneratortech

When diesel generator set is running, there are certain requirements for the coolant to ensure that the cooling system components and even the whole machine can work normally.

D114 series diesel generator engine coolant should be a mixture of antifreeze and DCA4 chemical additives or water and DCA4 chemical additives (the temperature of the diesel engine is always greater than O°C).

Note: Some models may not require the use of DCA4 additives.

Since antifreeze prevents freezing of the coolant and increases the boiling point of the coolant, Starlight Power requires antifreeze to be used in any climate.

Water

Prepare the coolant water, can use rainwater, lake water, river water or tap water. When using river water and lake water, it should be clarified to remove impurities such as dust and sediment from the water. For the areas with water source shortage, if well water or groundwater is used, because the hardness of the water is high, heating boiling method (boiling precipitation of water) and adding alkali method (0.67g caustic soda per liter of water, stirring precipitation) should be used to soften the hardness of the water.

Antifreeze

Adjust the water and glycol and mixing ratio to get antifreeze at different freezing points (that is freezing point). For most climates, we recommend a 50:50 ratio of water to glycol. The concentration of ethylene glycol in the acceptable antifreeze solution is preferably in the range of 40-60%. Under normal circumstances, the freezing point of the selected antifreeze should be about 10°C lower than the lowest temperature in the area where the diesel engine is in use.

The freezing point of the antifreeze can be accurately inspected by a refractometer, or it can be measured by special test paper for measuring the freezing point of the antifreeze.

Note: It is necessary to release and replace new antifreeze every 6000h or 2 years (whichever comes first) to remove harmful chemical deposits.

DCA4 chemical additive

The DCA4 chemical additive has anti-cavitation, anti-corrosion, anti-fouling, and anti-bubble formation protection for the diesel engine cooling system. Starlight recommends the use of Shangchai D114 Series B diesel engine and regularly replace the DCA4 additive.

D114 series diesel engine coolant has certain requirements for the concentration of added DCA4 chemical additive: 0.264 units of DCA4 chemical additive per liter of coolant, but the maximum is not more than 0.528 units, and the minimum cannot be less than 0.132 units. The DCA4 chemical additive per unit weighs 22.68 grams. For example, a diesel engine with a total cooling capacity of 30 liters should be fitted with a water filter containing 12 units of solid DCA4 chemical additive, such that each liter of coolant contains 0.400 units of additive.

In order to make the DCA4 chemical additive in the diesel generator coolant meet the above concentration requirements, a water filter containing a solid DCA4 chemical additive with a similar number of units should be installed.

Note: When the water filter is added with powder DCA4 chemical additive, the total content of DCA4 chemical additive in the coolant should not exceed the specified maximum value (0.528 units / liter).

Water filter

The water filter has two functions: one is that it has a certain amount of DCA4 additive, the coolant has a prescribed concentration of DCA4 additive; the other is to filter the impurities in the coolant. Therefore, it is recommended that the DCA4 water filter be replaced regularly.

Note: The DCA4 water filter (coolant filter) must be replaced every 250h or 3 months (whichever comes first).

DCA4 additive concentration check

The DCA4 water filter should be replaced at regular intervals to ensure that the coolant has the appropriate DCA4 additive concentration, or that the DCA additive concentration should be checked periodically.