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Generator Output Voltage
06-21-2007, 09:50
Post: #1
Generator Output Voltage
We were dry camping at the Formula I race at Indianopolis Speedway last
weekend when both the air conditioners quit. Quick investigation
revealed that the generator was running but no output. I checked the
breakers and the voltage to them was 84 volts on each leg. 120 would
have been better. There are 1400 hours on the unit. Does anyone have
an idea where to start to repair this fault?
Any and all help appreciated.
Bob Criss
1990 SP36
143000 miles
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06-21-2007, 10:13
Post: #2
Generator Output Voltage
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "crissrace"
wrote:
>
> We were dry camping at the Formula I race at Indianopolis Speedway
last
> weekend when both the air conditioners quit. Quick investigation
> revealed that the generator was running but no output. I checked the
> breakers and the voltage to them was 84 volts on each leg. 120 would
> have been better. There are 1400 hours on the unit. Does anyone
have
> an idea where to start to repair this fault?
> Any and all help appreciated.
> Bob Criss
> 1990 SP36
> 143000 miles
>
Bob,

I had a similar thing happen to my SP generator several years ago. It
turned out to be a bad rectifier diode. One phase was bad which gave
the low voltage. It was relatively inexpensive (less than $50) and not
hard to replace (once you get the generator out of the bird). The info
on how to troubleshoot is listed in the Onan manual and I was able to
find them on the internet. Good luck.

Jim Brookshire
1989 SP-36
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06-21-2007, 10:13
Post: #3
Generator Output Voltage
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "crissrace"
wrote:
>
> We were dry camping at the Formula I race at Indianopolis Speedway
last
> weekend when both the air conditioners quit. Quick investigation
> revealed that the generator was running but no output. I checked the
> breakers and the voltage to them was 84 volts on each leg. 120 would
> have been better. There are 1400 hours on the unit. Does anyone
have
> an idea where to start to repair this fault?
> Any and all help appreciated.
> Bob Criss
> 1990 SP36
> 143000 miles
>
Bob,

I had a similar thing happen to my SP generator several years ago. It
turned out to be a bad rectifier diode. One phase was bad which gave
the low voltage. It was relatively inexpensive (less than $50) and not
hard to replace (once you get the generator out of the bird). The info
on how to troubleshoot is listed in the Onan manual and I was able to
find them on the internet. Good luck.

Jim Brookshire
1989 SP-36
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06-21-2007, 10:48
Post: #4
Generator Output Voltage
When was the last time you checked your voltage? That's a pretty
significant voltage drop, but if for some reason your rpms have
dropped on your genset, that will drop the voltage too. See if the
set screws are tight. How many hertz do you have. It should be real
close to 60. If your hertz are low, you should be able to up the rpms
a little bit and see if get some more voltage. My Perkins was running
around 98-100 volts when i bought it. After having it checked with a
mechanics at Parker Controls, he just had to adjust my rpms slightly.
...But you also need to keep your hertz at around 60. If you are
getting 80 volts, but 60 hertz right now, then you definitely have
another problem.

i was at the Formula One race last weekend too. but i wasn't in my
bird. it would have been fun to see another bird. a friend of mine
works for renault on the red bull team and i got to see the race from
the paddock. that was fun, especially as i had never been to the
brickyard or even a race before.

Alan
87fc35


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "agitator19"
wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "crissrace"
> wrote:
> >
> > We were dry camping at the Formula I race at Indianopolis Speedway
> last
> > weekend when both the air conditioners quit. Quick investigation
> > revealed that the generator was running but no output. I checked the
> > breakers and the voltage to them was 84 volts on each leg. 120 would
> > have been better. There are 1400 hours on the unit. Does anyone
> have
> > an idea where to start to repair this fault?
> > Any and all help appreciated.
> > Bob Criss
> > 1990 SP36
> > 143000 miles
> >
> Bob,
>
> I had a similar thing happen to my SP generator several years ago. It
> turned out to be a bad rectifier diode. One phase was bad which gave
> the low voltage. It was relatively inexpensive (less than $50) and not
> hard to replace (once you get the generator out of the bird). The info
> on how to troubleshoot is listed in the Onan manual and I was able to
> find them on the internet. Good luck.
>
> Jim Brookshire
> 1989 SP-36
>
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