Horton Variable-Speed Fan Drive Solves Overcooling Problem On Generator Sets

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N C Machinery is a venerated, Anchorage-based company. Its Power Systems Division supplies and services rental generator sets, primarily to Washington and Alaska. It maintains 18 support facilities in the two states. The capacity of the rental generators it offers ranges from 20 kW to 2,000 kW. N C Machinery has been in business for over 100 years and is one of the earliest trading and mercantile companies in Alaska. In 1926, it became an official dealer for Caterpillar® (CAT®).

The climate in the Northwest United States can be robust, particularly in winter — and especially in Alaska, given its proximity to artic weather fronts. Harsh conditions can be hard on both vehicles and machines and generator sets are not impervious to the cold. Yet, they are “expected” to function each and every time. Customers often hold generator sets to the same reliability standards as their local power grids.

Several of N C’s customers were experiencing generator set performance issues associated with “overcooling.” Overcooling can prevent engines from reaching their optimal operating temperatures. The result is improperly burned fuel, inefficient operation, shutdown, and lost productivity.

The challenge for N C Power Systems was to find a way to alleviate overcooling with a minimum of cost and labor.

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