Kohler 1E22 Emergency Plant

Hello! This is my first message posting to the Sparks and Arcs page --- this is a well-done site! I am restoring a Kohler 1E22 emergency plant, serial #137199, with the large control box that has 3 large panel meters, and 3 toggle switches. This controller is Kohler #5810E28, and the Cutler Hammer number is 54720H82E. Does anyone know where I could possibly find a manual that contains this "emergency" (standby) controller, vs the regular "automatic" residence type? A schematic diagram would be a great help in this project. I found a wiring diagram on the web for the Navy 1E21H, which has a similar, but not identical controller. The 1E22 plant is 110 VAC, 1.5 KVA. Also, does anyone out there have a rebuildable radiator for this unit? Mine has the old honeycomb core, and someone in the past shot many holes through it! Maybe I could recore my rad, using the original tanks --- has anyone done this before, with OK results? Thank you, ---- Henry (Pittsburgh, PA)

I may have a decent radiator for your unit, depending on the style (age) radiator you need.

Henry, do you have a web address for the Navy generator?

I have a Onan 5 ABG military generator that I'm looking for a operators/service manual. The usual military book places don't have anything this old ( Built 3 1953) From what I've read,all military stuff Onan builds is removed from the system once the contract is finished.

This gen set runs and generates but I'd like to have a manual to complete the set. It has ~ 196 hours and is pretty well preserved.

The engine is a 4 cylinder water cooled all aluminum flat head Continental N56.

Thanks Harold

Hello, Harold --- the web address for the Kohler Navy light plant is http://www.geocities.com/dondenhardt/. He has a manual online with the standby control box schematic diagram. Hope this helps!

Hi!, been awhile since browsing this site. In response to your question regarding radiators, yes I have made up a radiator with the original tanks using brass door kickplate material (replacement manifold??) drilled to accept soft copper tubing. The brass kickplate and soft copper tubing were purchased from a local home improvement center.

You can probably see it in the pics at http://geocities.com/dondenhardt/index.html. The tubes should be brazed to the kickplate to prevent pinholes when soldering the kickplate/manifold to the tanks.




Kohler Electric Plant 1.5 KVA

Not apparent in that link provided is the fact that I've added a thermostat to the cooling system.

As this addition is hidden from view and did not require the rework of any of the Kohler original parts, it does not detract from the originality of the gen set.

I'd felt that stabilized coolant temperatures would reduce wear and tear. I went to the local auto parts and reviewed their thermostat specification booklet and found a small 180DegF thermostat that with modification would just fit into the upper engine to radiator cast pipe. I don't recall the part number offhand.

Worked great!, especially during the winter months.




Kohler Electric Plant 1.5 KVA