Newest Custom Build Project for Green Knight, LLC

We have actually come a long way from this point on this unit but I thought I would give you an update. The box ended up being 20.5" tall, we had up to 24" to play with. This picture shows how the kohler 18 hp air cooled diesel engine fits in. I actually picked this up from powder coating this afternoon, and I will try to remember to post a picture of all the pieces, basically this will look like an under mount tool box when it is completed.
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I am not a fan of throttling down engines. It is HOT here, and I want the cooling fan from the engine blowing as much air as possible over the cylinder fins to stand a chance of keeping it cool. Think of an exposed air cooled machine that is in the sun at 110 degrees, that is a lot of heat build up, and we make every effort to make sure that those engines stay cool. Sometimes it even works.
 
Maybe I am wrong but I think that when you start a small engine, it should not be started at full throttle, I am thinking that it is more wear and tear on an engine where starting it at idle then speeding it up like I always do will help it last longer. Please tell me if I am wrong.

I have always done this and when I am moving hoses or a customer is talking to me or something else where I am not washing at the moment or for minutes, I slow the engine down to an idle to not only save gas but to save some wear and tear.

Again, please tell me if I am wrong by doing this or if there is no additional wear and tear on engines running them full throttle from start to finish.

Thanks.
 
Scott Stone said:
I am not a fan of throttling down engines. It is HOT here, and I want the cooling fan from the engine blowing as much air as possible over the cylinder fins to stand a chance of keeping it cool. Think of an exposed air cooled machine that is in the sun at 110 degrees, that is a lot of heat build up, and we make every effort to make sure that those engines stay cool. Sometimes it even works.
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Scott I totally agree with you the best thing to do with an air cooled engine is to run it full throttle it will also burn the fuel cleaner.
 
Christopher said:
Maybe I am wrong but I think that when you start a small engine, it should not be started at full throttle, I am thinking that it is more wear and tear on an engine where starting it at idle then speeding it up like I always do will help it last longer. Please tell me if I am wrong.

I have always done this and when I am moving hoses or a customer is talking to me or something else where I am not washing at the moment or for minutes, I slow the engine down to an idle to not only save gas but to save some wear and tear.

Again, please tell me if I am wrong by doing this or if there is no additional wear and tear on engines running them full throttle from start to finish.

Thanks.
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At start up that is not a bad practice, I would NEVER idle down a hot water unit you will cause damage to your electrical system. The only reason I can see for idling down your motor would be to keep the pump from over heating and causing premature wear on the packing. You can deal with this by running your bypass back to your water tank, but be warned if you suck soap through your pump it will bypass back to the tank when you let go of the trigger and fill your tank with soapy water. In the hotter climates it is always best to run the motors full throttle. Your exhaust system will stay cleaner too. Most small engines have spark arresters in or on the muffler and soot and carbon will build up at lower rpms
 
Benjamin said:
How is the heat in there?
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With the outside temperature at 100 deg in the shade with the door open it runs 110-115 deg with the door shut it runs from 120-135 deg. These temps were taking at the hottest part of the cabinet, next to the motor under the exhaust. The motor was at 175 deg at the top of the cylinder and 110 deg at the intake for the cooling fan.
 
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