Airstream Excella 500 1973 Owner's Manual page 62

Note: For easier starting in cooler tem¬
peratures, the choke can be manually
closed while the engine cranks — helps
draw fuel through the fuel regulator. The
choke is located on engine carburetor.
Manual Starting
1. Turn the adjustable timer on the remote
control to the desired duration of opera¬
tion.
2. Push in the fuel solenoid button (A).
3. Pull the start rope (D) with a fast, steady
pull to crank the engine.
4. As soon as the engine is running, release
the fuel solenoid button. Generator cur¬
rent now holds the fuel solenoid open.
Battery Charging
The charge rate of the TL battery charger is
factory set for battery charging. A small lamp
marked "GENERATING" lights once the unit
is running and charging properly. Operation
time ranges to 3 hours and is set by the
adjustable timer on the remote control.
Light loads, appliances or fixtures, can be
operated from the battery while the unit is
running. If the load should ever exceed
generator capacity, the generator field will
collapse and prevent any damage. As an
indication the small "GENERATING" lamp
on the remote control will fail to light when
the generator field collapses. Remove some
load for proper operation.
As a general guide, a 100 ampere-hour battery
requires approximately 3 hours charging if the
battery is in a low charge condition. For a
more exact determination, use a hydrometer.
See Battery section, page 56.
Stopping
Stopping occurs automatically when the ad¬
justable timer on the remote control returns
to zero. If you wish to shut down the unit
before automatic shutdown, manually turn
the pointer on the timer back to zero.
High Temperatures
1. See that nothing obstructs air flow to and
from the unit.
2. Keep cooling fins clean.
Low Temperatures
1. Use correct SAE oil for temperature condi¬
tions. Change oil only when engine is
warm.
2. Keep batteries in a well charged condition.
3. Partially restrict cool air flow if necessary,
but use care to avoid overheating.
Extremely Dusty or Dirty Conditions
1. Keep unit clean. Keep cooling system
clean.
2. Service air cleaner as frequently as re¬
quired.
3. Change crankcase oil more often than
shown in Maintenance and Service.
4. Keep governor linkage clean.
Out-of-Service Protection
Protect an engine to be out-of-service for
more than 30 days as follows:
1. Run unit until thoroughly warm.
2. Turn off fuel supply.
3. Drain oil from oil base while still warm.
Refill and attach a warning tag stating oil
viscosity used.
4. Service air cleaner and cover with plastic.
5. Wipe entire unit. Coat rustable parts with a
light film of grease or oil.
6. Cover air inlet and outlet openings.
7. Disconnect battery and follow standard
storage procedures.
Service and Maintenance:
Regularly scheduled maintenance is the key
to lower operating costs and longer service life
for the unit. However, actual operating condi¬
tions under which a unit is run should be the
determining factor in establishing a main¬
tenance schedule. When operating in very
dusty or dirty conditions, some of the service
periods may have to be reduced. The
schedules are divided into two categories:
Owner Maintenance Schedule — performed by
the owner, and Critical Maintenance Schedule
— performed by qualified service personnel.
For any abnormalities in operation, unusual
noises from engine or generator, loss of
power, overheating, etc., contact your dealer
or factory.
Crankcase Oil
Check the oil level every 4 hours of operating
or before each time the unit is used. Change
oil every 25 hours but more often if operated
in extremely dusty or dirty conditions. For
the first fill of oil on a new unit, change oil
after two hours operation.
The oil capacity of the engine is 21 ounces.
Fill to the oil level which is 1/8 inch below
the top of the oil fill opening (C). Pour slowly
to prevent trapping air.
58