The final location of a generator set is often far from an ideal environment. Sets are expected to operate in demanding conditions that require high performance and reliability despite harsh environmental conditions. Setting aside the mechanical construction of the engine and alternator, generators cannot operate without a reliable control system. Modern electronic controllers on today’s market offer advanced functionality; but can they withstand the constant presence of vibration, dust and other environmental challenges?
In a recent project carried out for Bremat Holland BV, a Deep Sea Electronics (DSE) generator control module was chosen for a fleet of mobile screed mixing and pumping units. The trucks are equipped with a container unit (divided into sand and cement compartments), a mixer, compressor, pump and generator. When the loaded trucks arrive on site, the sand and cement are automatically mixed with water and then pumped out. The operation of the equipment depends entirely on the power supplied by a 19KVA diesel generator with a John Deere engine, fitted with a DSECONTROL Series Auto Start controller.
Since the high cost of sending one of these screed vehicles out is offset by the efficiency of the system, the selection of the generator set controller for Bremat was made with great care. The trucks can travel many miles to a site location, and the consequences of delays caused by faulty equipment can be both extremely costly and disruptive: delays can cause large construction projects to fall behind schedule and lead to possible financial penalties; sending an engineer to site incurs high costs; and periods when the truck itself is not operating create inefficiency. For this reason, it is vital for Bremat to have the most reliable on-board systems to guard against unplanned failures.
DSE systems are protected against damage caused by the ingress of water and dust that may arise as a result of the normal screed mixing process. The modules, when fitted with the gasket, have an IP 65 (NEMA 12) protection rating, which demonstrates the high level of protection these units offer.
