A few years ago, we implemented a system that assist us to organize and clean up work areas. By integrating these standards, we have sped up production, minimized mistakes, and are creating an organized area.
Currently, we have been focusing on our receiving area. With the issues with getting certain materials from suppliers, we have been ordering other components well in advanced. That ensures that once backordered supplies arrive at our facility, we are ready to build. As you can imagine, having more materials in the facility has given us a space issue.
We have increased our raw materials over 70%. This increase lets us provide better delivery dates and reduce gaps in production time.
Our receiving department also houses our picked parts. We have been organizing spaces to accommodate new materials, and also going through our stock. Any items that are not picked on a regular basis will be put in a designated inventory area. This opens up space to ensure regularly required parts are accessible. While all of this organizing is happening, it gives us the ability to do a more in depth inventory count.
An area that was once our winding department now houses engines and gen ends.
We are adding more sort bins to utilize shelf space and ease of access.
As WINCO continues to grow, our need for space will be an ongoing, but welcomed challenge. Stay tuned to find out more about how our facility prepares for the future!
Name: Dareld Benz Department: Final Assembly Hobbies: Golf, camping, bowling, frisbee golf, fishing
Q: How long have you worked at WINCO? A: Trina – 8 years in September Dareld – 9 years in September
Q: Did you meet at WINCO? A: Trina – Yes, we started dating 5 months after I started working here.
Q: I heard you are engaged! Do you have a date set for the wedding? A: We are planning on August next year, the Covid pandemic has pushed our plans out a couple of times. We want to be able to have everyone attend.
Q: Tell me about your families. A: Trina – I have two daughters Dareld – I have three boys, one girl, and 2 grandchildren, a boy and a girl. Trina – We also have two dogs, Dareld is their favorite.
Q: Have you been enjoying the summer? A: Yes, we recently went on a camping trip to Diamond Lake. We rented a cabin and enjoyed fishing for sunnies, sight seeing, and relaxing. We also just bought a boat and are looking forward to getting out on the lakes.
Q: Any more plans for the rest of the year? A: We are planning on one more vacation, but we aren’t sure on what to do. We are looking forward to going to the county fairs this summer.
Q: Trina, what do you like to garden? A: Vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. I also like flowers and taking care of the landscaping.
Q: Dareld, I hear you being a Minnesota Wild fan is a bit of an understatement. A: I am a hockey fan. I was a North Stars fan and now I follow the Wild. I am hoping we can go see a live game. Our game room in our basement is my Wild showroom.
Thank you Dareld and Trina for taking time to talk with me! I hope you are inviting this Big Dog to the wedding!
If you are able to come to visit, make sure to say ‘Hi’ to Trina and Dareld!
Stay tuned, next month we will meet up with another great employee!
We are closing up the gap in our liquid-cooled, gaseous generators; by adding the PSS40 and PSS45.
Meet The New PSS Units
As WINCO continues to grow, we are dedicated to provide a bigger offering of power nodes. We saw an opportunity to not only bring back the PSS40, but also offer a PSS45.
PSS40
Standard auxiliary winding Standby only
PSS45
Available in standby and prime power
Window to view the DSE 7310 digital controller
Galvanealled steel housing
Durable powder coat paint
Standard battery charger
Cummins industrial generator ends
Origin 4.3L engine
Conform to UL2200 and CSA standards.
Meet The Origin Engine
We are excited to introduce a new engine partner, Origin Engines. Origin has more than 30 years in the engine industry plus the years of the founder’s early interests in high-performance engines.
We are using a prime rated, Origin 4.3L engine on the PSS40 and PSS45. This engine is based on the GM 4.3L that we are all used to. Another familiar design feature is the ECU and connections. The ECU is built by E Controls.
Origin Engines are built from the block, up. Their engines are built for the industrial market. Which provides engines that won’t change unless the power generation industry needs it to, not the car industry.
STANDBY
Just like the rest of our liquid-cooled standby units, the Origin engine is EPA Certified.
PRIME
The Origin 4.3L is a prime rated engine. Simply add a catalyst to bring the generator set to a prime source of power.
Are you ready to check out the new units? Click here to see specs on the PSS40 or click here for the PSS45.
We are continually updating and creating new generators. Stay tuned!
Spending what seemed to be an eternity of social distancing at our facility, we thought this summer would be a great time to spend an afternoon filled with great food and fun activities.
The Food
Dan Owner/CEO
Shane COO
Peter Engineering Manager
Brian Product Support Manager
Keeping with our Speak & Eat traditions, some of the guys in charge serve up the food. This quarter we enjoyed pulled pork and beef tacos were catered by N8’s Pl8s.
After we enjoy our delicious food, Dan Call, owner and CEO of WINCO, introduces our new employees and keeps us up to date on current WINCO news.
Fun Fact: As an award for sitting through Dan’s speech, we have a drawing for awesome prizes!
Bean Bag Tournament
A bracketed style tournament brought together teams with one goal: crush the opponents.
Congrats to Noah and Jake for being the bean bag champions!
WINCO Survivor
The Ropes
All 3 team members had to get through the ropes before going onto the next challenge.
Chicken Wire Challenge
The goal was for two teammates to get two golf balls up the chicken wire.
Plank Walk
It isn’t as easy as it looks!
Sling Shot
Hit the target to move onto the puzzle.
We decided Brandyn would be the target from then on!
Puzzle Challenge
The Big Dog Puzzle was a bit of a challenge! Especially getting the teeth in the right spot!
Congratulations to the fastest team through the obstacle course: Caz, Arturo, and Josie!
As you can see, it was a great time and definitely one for the books! Shout out to all of our employees, we appreciate everyone for their hard work and dedication to making WINCO a great company.
The Honda GX690 uses a float switch to monitor the amount of oil in the crankcase. It will shut down the engine if the float switch drops to the set point. This switch is instantaneous, so even a momentary low oil level will cause the generator to stop.
The PSS12 has a low oil fault/shutdown code that will appear on the Deep Sea 3110 Controller display; until you press the red ‘stop’ button to clear it.
If you experience this oil fault/shutdown on this model, refer to the follow troubleshooting techniques in this article.
Oil Level
It is normal for air-cooled engines to consume some oil as they operate. Therefore, it is recommended by Honda and is important that the engine oil level is checked each day the generator will be run – prior to startup. For best results and to avoid low oil shutdown on a cold start, we find that it is best to keep the oil level topped up all the way to the fill line on the dipstick.
The PSS12 has a float inside the oil level switch. If the engine was not run at the appropriate temperature first, the old oil and deposits could remain in the float and in other areas of the engine. Those deposits can affect operation and lifespan of the switch.
Oil Change Intervals
The Honda Oil Level Switch inside the engine uses a probe arm that bolts into the side of the engine block. The probe arm has a float in the end of it to monitor oil level in the sump. If oil change intervals are neglected, deposits and build-up can remain and can potentially gather inside the float, affecting operation. Honda recommends performing the 1st oil change after 20 hours, and every 50 hours of operation after that. The oil filter should be changed every 200 hours. Even with low hour usage, we recommend that you change engine oil and filter at least once per year to address condensation. Contaminated engine oil can become acidic, and lead to accelerated corrosion and wear inside of your engine.
Running the engine up to operating temperature before draining the engine oil is recommended; Doing this can help prevent deposits and increase the life expectancy of your engine. (If the engine was not run to operating temperature before draining the oil for an oil change, then the old oil and deposits could remain in the float and in other areas of the engine. As a result, those deposits can also affect operation and lifespan of the switch.)
WINCO offers premium quality, private labeled synthetic oil and engine maintenance kits to keep your engine at peak performance!
Ambient Temperature
Was the ambient temperature factored in when choosing which oil to use?
Normal Operating Temperature
Each engine manufacturers have certain requirements on oil type in regards to the ambient temperature. Honda specifies that their air-cooled engine operate in a maximum ambient temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit .
Cold Weather Operation
Engines running on LP or NG may experience difficulty starting in temperatures below -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, an oil heater kit should be used in areas were the ambient temperature can reach below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Installation
How level is the generator?
In order for the float to work properly, the unit must be level. You shouldn’t assume the mounting pad is level. Since the ground can shift over time, when a technician is inspecting the unit, they should also inspect the pad .
Place a good level on the concrete pad, preferably underneath the engine to see if the ground has settled and your pad is now out of level.
We have found that the majority of customers who experienced this issue have been able to correct and prevent it by addressing the items listed in this help topic. Very few generators have actually needed to have this part replaced. If you are having trouble with a generator or have any questions, please give our Service Department a call at (507) 357-6831.
You can find more troubleshooting information in the PSS12 manual.
