Fuels - General; Fuel Filters - Northern Lights NL773LW4 Operator's Manual

FUELS - GENERAL

1. Use only clean, high quality fuels of the following
specifications, as defined by ASTM designation
D975 for diesel fuels:
a. Use grade no. 2 diesel at ambient temperatures
above freezing 32°F (0°C).
b. Use grade no. 1 at ambient temperatures below
freezing and for all temperatures at an altitude of
above 5,500 ft. (1500 meters).
2. Use fuel having less that 1% sulphur (preferably less
that 0.5%).
3. The cetane number should be a minimum of 45.
4. DO NOT use these unsuitable grades of fuel:
a. Domestic heating oils, all types.
b. Class B engine.
c. Class D domestic fuels.
d. Class E, F, G or H industrial or marine fuels.
e. ASTM-D975-60T No. 4-D and higher number
fuels.
5. Biodiesel:
Biodiesel involves the transesterification of vegetable oils
or animal fats. It can involve animal fats, yellow greases
(used greases), cotton seed, sunflower seed, coconut oil, or
sesame seed, but mainly in the US soybean methyl ester is
used (SME). In Europe mainly rapeseed (canola) methyl
ester is made (RME), and in Asia palm methyl ester (PME)
is made. 100% biodiesel (B100) is made in compliance
with ASTM D6751 or EN14214 (EU)
specifications.
Biodiesel may be used in a 5% blend (5% biodiesel/ 95%
diesel) from a BQ-9000 accredited producer. 20% biodie-
sel blends (20% biodiesel/ 80% diesel) can only be used if
they meet ASTM D6751 or EN14214 (EU)
specifications. A 2% reduction in power and a 3%
reduction in fuel economy can be expected if a 20% blend
is used. With a 20% biodiesel blend, an approved fuel
conditioner is recommended. The petroleum part of the
biodiesel blend must meet ASTM D975 or EN590 (EU)
specifications. Biodiesel blends must be used within 90
days of their manufacture. When biodiesel blends are used
the oil level must be checked daily and storage, leaking,
possible microbial growth, plugging, and components
degradation must all be checked more frequently.
Note: Using raw pressed or partially refined vegetable
oils or recycled greases as fuel (which have not been
through transesterification) could cause engine failure.
Request a certificate of analysis from an approved
biodiesel fuel distributor to make sure the biodiesel blend
meets specifications.
Servicing
6. Storing fuel:
a. Keep dirt, scale, water, and other foreign matter
out of fuel.
b. Avoid storing fuel for long periods of time.
c. Fill the fuel tank at the end of each day's
operation. This will reduce condensation.
SP7-9. FUEL FILTERS
1. Your generator set should have a primary fuel filter
installed. We recommend the Racor brand of fuel
filter-water separators.
a. Check the primary fuel filter daily as
recommended by the filter manufacturer.
Empty the collection bowl as necessary.
b. Change the element as often as necessary or
every 200 hours.
c. If the bowl fills with water, change the primary
and secondary element immediately.
2. Change secondary fuel filter every 250 hours.
a. Remove the spin-on filter by turning it
counterclockwise with a filter wrench. Fill the
new cartridge with fuel and install it after
applying engine oil to gasket surface. Screw on
until the gasket surface comes into contact with
sealing surface of filter base. Then, tighten it
two-thirds of a turn by hand. Do not overtighten.
b. The fuel filter part number is:
773LW3 – #24-52020
ONL773LW4 5/21
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