Installation; Location; Instructions For Optimal Sound And Vibration Insulation; Steel Base Plate - Mastervolt WHISPER 3 Installation Manual

INTRODUCTION
The alternator should be kept as cool as possible. In
practice an alternator starts getting less efficient above 40°
Celsius. It is hardly possible to cool down the coolant of
the alternator below 40° using a radiator. When a vehicle
is in the sun on a parking place the ambient temperature
itself could be 40° Celsius.
Because of the divergence in the working temperature of
engine and alternator it will be clear that it is not possible
to combine the cooling of the engine and alternator in one
radiator system.
Furthermore it will be clear that it is very difficult to cool an
alternator optimally with the aid of a radiator in conditions
with high ambient temperatures.
The two radiators used to cool the engine and alternator of
the Whisper 3,5 are integrated in one housing and one
electric driven fan blows the air through both radiators.

2 INSTALLATION

To ensure reliability and durability of the equipment, it is
very important that the installation is carried out with the
utmost care and attention. To avoid problems, such as
temperature problems, noise levels, vibration, etc. the
instructions set out in this manual must be followed and all
installation work must be carried out professionally.
MASTERVOLT
Whisper
3,5
Figure 4. Schematic installation diagram. Two radiators are
integrated in one housing with one fan.
2.1

LOCATION

When looking for a proper place for a generator in a
vehicle all relevant aspects have to be taken into account
•
Accessibility
•
Solid foundation
•
Space to mount the radiator (Refer to par. 2.4.3)
•
Space to mount the exhaust (Refer to par. 2.4.2)
•
A way to fit the fuel lines
Since Whisper generating sets have extremely compact
dimensions, they can be installed in tight locations.
4
~
Why the alternator should be cooled by water:
The Whisper 3,5 has an unique engine being cooled by oil
instead of water. The oil is used for both cooling and
lubrication and has to be refreshed regularly. As the
separate cooling system for the alternator is only for
cooling it is better to use "water" or in fact special cooling
liquid. For normal industrial use alternators are cooled by
air. This requires a flow of air through the alternator of
many m3 per minute. With the air, the noise comes out
into the open. Generators on vehicles can only made silent
by full enclosure in a sound shield canopy. The only
opening in the Whisper canopy is the inlet for combustion
air. For that reason the alternator is cooled by water.
Although cooling the alternator by circulating water
through a radiator is not ideal; it is much better than by air.
Therefore aircooled alternators are rarely used in vehicles.
Please consider that even almost maintenance-free
machinery must still remain accessible.
When selecting the location area to mount the generating
set, make sure there is sufficient room to carry out any
maintenance work. The unit must be easily accessible on
the service side. Full access is possible from the front and
from above.
Oil filling can be done on the service side and on the top.
Cooling liquid can be filled via the expansion tank. The top
of the engine (rocker cover) has to be accessible for
adjustment of the valve clearance.
Please also note that in spite of the automatic oil pressure
sensor it is still essential that the oil level is checked
regularly.
2.2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTIMAL SOUND
AND VIBRATION INSULATION
When it is possible to mount the unit directly on the
chassis of the vehicle this has advantages in preventing
vibrations by resonance.
2.2.1

Steel base plate

When it is not possible to fit the generator directly on the
chassis and the unit is on a light floor or other light
construction, Mastervolt recommends the use of an extra
set of rubber mountings and a heavy steel base plate if the
additional weight is no objection. To keep resonant
vibrations at a minimum, it is possible to mount the
generating set on a solid steel base plate, approx. 40 mm
weighing approx. 50% of the weight of the generating set.
A heavy base plate is available as an optional installation
kit. (Ref. to fig. 24, item 62).
November 2006 / WHISPER 3,5 for mobile applications / EN