In the back of the Panda generators, at least the 6kw which is the one I own, there is an oil cooled bearing. The bearing is cooled from a resevoir of 80/90 wt gear oil. The level of the oil in the resevoir is determined by inspection of a sightglass mounted on the end plate of the generator. In some installations that sightglass may be difficult to inspect. The bearing has a temperature sensor which will shut down the engine if the temperature gets too high. From my experience and the experience of a friend with an identical generator, the oil in that resevoir is consumed at some rate, or possibly leaks out of the end plate or into the generator itself. I can find no reference in my owner's manual to the need to check the level in the resevoir at any interval. However I did download other Panda generator manuals to check whether others did. And indeed I did find instructions to check the sightglass when checking the oil in the crankcase, i.e. daily, which is unreasonable since it obviously requires removal of the sound isolation case.
A friend with another 6kw Panda recently experienced a costly repair due to the leakage or consumption of the oil (about 6 oz or so) in that resevoir after 500 hrs leading to catastrophic failure of the bearing. The symptom of this failure was shut down for temperature after running for an hour or so. On my generator a recent check showed the level about 1/2 inch low, about 1-2 oz after 300 hrs.
So my friends, the HEADS UP is to check that sightglass often. As I said, the 12 kw mini manual has this caution:
A.3.2 Daily routine checks before starting
front cover ."
So this is worth your attention as the symptoms may look like something else such as overload, cooling water issues, impellor, etc, and it can lead to a very expensive failure.
A friend with another 6kw Panda recently experienced a costly repair due to the leakage or consumption of the oil (about 6 oz or so) in that resevoir after 500 hrs leading to catastrophic failure of the bearing. The symptom of this failure was shut down for temperature after running for an hour or so. On my generator a recent check showed the level about 1/2 inch low, about 1-2 oz after 300 hrs.
So my friends, the HEADS UP is to check that sightglass often. As I said, the 12 kw mini manual has this caution:
A.3.2 Daily routine checks before starting
AtTTENTION! OIL PRESSURE CONTROL!
True, the diesel motor automatically switches off when there is a lack of oil, but it is very damaging for the motor, if
the oil level drops to the lowest limit. Air can be sucked in suddenly when the boat rocks in heavy seas, if the oil
level is at a minimum. This affects the grease in the bearings. It is therefore necessary to check the oil level daily
before initially running the generator. The oil level must be topped up to the maximum level, if the level drops below
the mark between maximum und minimum levels.
The oil level of the oil cooled bearing must be checked before every start - see flow glas at the generator
True, the diesel motor automatically switches off when there is a lack of oil, but it is very damaging for the motor, if
the oil level drops to the lowest limit. Air can be sucked in suddenly when the boat rocks in heavy seas, if the oil
level is at a minimum. This affects the grease in the bearings. It is therefore necessary to check the oil level daily
before initially running the generator. The oil level must be topped up to the maximum level, if the level drops below
the mark between maximum und minimum levels.
The oil level of the oil cooled bearing must be checked before every start - see flow glas at the generator
front cover ."
So this is worth your attention as the symptoms may look like something else such as overload, cooling water issues, impellor, etc, and it can lead to a very expensive failure.