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+--- Thread: generator fan wont run (/showthread.php?tid=9898)
generator fan wont run - al perna - 07-10-2013 20:38
the fan will not run . I also must use the Aux switch to start the Genny .
I have reset all 3 of the switches on the control box . We are hopping someone could provide some ideas . the battery is new , it was replaced on the last run and worked on the 1000 trip south . the bus has sat for 6 days and the issue has returned . any ideas would be appreciated .
RE: generator fan wont run - Darrell Snell - 07-10-2013 21:01
(07-10-2013 20:38)al perna Wrote: the fan will not run . I also must use the Aux switch to start the Genny .
I have reset all 3 of the switches on the control box . We are hopping someone could provide some ideas . the battery is new , it was replaced on the last run and worked on the 1000 trip south . the bus has sat for 6 days and the issue has returned . any ideas would be appreciated .
Lost the fan motor last year after going thru some high water during TS Debbie.
Replaced with an after market elec fan from auto parts store. Randy did this and jury rigged it as a field expedient. Got him thru.
I can get you a part number etc when I'm at the coach this weekend. I made brackets for a more permanent installation and can make some for you as well.
The original housing supports the fan and radiator, so when you remove the old squrial cage assembly you need new brackets.
I'm happy with my unit and it much fewer $$.
Not sure this is the prob. But this is a good solution if it is.
D
RE: generator fan wont run - cmillsap - 07-10-2013 22:18
Al,
The Squirrel cage fan runs off the power generated by the generator.
The gen battery is charged by the generator also.
Are you sure that the generator is producing 120V.
RE: generator fan wont run - al perna - 07-11-2013 09:26
Darrel , I think we will try some easier items prior to fan replacement . I hope it does not come down to a replacement . thank you for the idea.
Chuck , I can start the Genny and she will produce 110 v , but the fan will not turn . I did snap off the toggle while resetting it and believe this must be the on/off for the fan . this still does not explain why a new battery has gone dead ? could the alternator be bad ? if so how do I check it ?
RE: generator fan wont run - davidbrady - 07-11-2013 09:42
Al,
If the genny doesn't stay running it can be either of 4 things three of which are safety switches.
The safety switches are the:
1) oil pressure switch which closes when pressure builds,
2) water temperature switch which closes if temperature gets too high, and
3) water level switch which closes if radiator level gets too low.
The fourth item which can prevent the engine from running is a faulty run solenoid.
You can take (2) and (3) out of the loop by disconnecting each. Pull the terminal off the water temp switch and disconnect the water level switch. If it doesn't stay running then the problem is either the oil pressure switch or the run solenoid.
To test the run solenoid disconnect the blue and gray wires going to the solenoid. Apply 12V to each simultaneously. The run solenoid should retract, now remove power from the blue and leave it remaining on the gray. If the solenoid stays retracted then the run solenoid is good.
If all this checks out then the problem is the oil pressure switch.
RE: generator fan wont run - al perna - 07-11-2013 09:53
David , I now believe it is the toggle on the circuit box that I broke . I will call Powertech and order one today . We are heading to DC and will make the repair while we are there for a few days .
any ideas what would cause a new battery on the Genny to go dead ?
RE: generator fan wont run - davidbrady - 07-11-2013 09:59
Hi Al,
My Powertech has an alternator that keeps the battery charged. I don't have any other way to charge the battery but to run the generator. I could be that you haven't run your generator sufficiently to charge the battery, or you have a faulty alternator or voltage regulator, or they sold you a bad battery. When you pick up batteries always take a VOM meter with you and carefully check for 12.6V across the terminals. Open circuit voltage for any new store bought battery should be at least 12.6V. If it's even a smidge less, reject the battery.
My plan (for far too long) has been to install a Xantrex Echo charger to keep the genny charged via the house or chassis battery circuits.
RE: generator fan wont run - al perna - 07-11-2013 15:03
David , this issue must be related to the alternator or voltage regulator . I feel good about how to proceed . It is the fan not turning that has me stumped . any ideas on this issue I could work on would be appreciated .
RE: generator fan wont run - davidbrady - 07-11-2013 15:38
Al,
If you're seeing 120V on both legs on your inside gauges then the fan should be running. The Powertech has an automatic voltage regulator that controls the engine governor to maintain 60HZ and 120VAC. There's a delay when you initially start the genny till things stabilize then the AVR kicks in 120VAC on both legs. Once that happens you should see 120VAC on both legs at your inside voltage gauges and the fan should be running. If the fan isn't running or if you don't see 120VAC then I'd check the breaker mounted inside the Powertech control box (where the switches are). You need to be very careful checking the wires feeding the breaker. Don't do it if you're not comfortable with high voltages. If there is 120VAC at the inside gauges then you need to see if the fan is getting 240VAC. Check the voltage at the fan junction box.
Typical failure modes include faulty AVR, faulty fan motor, and faulty breaker.
RE: generator fan wont run - cmillsap - 07-11-2013 15:58
(07-11-2013 15:03)al perna Wrote: David , this issue must be related to the alternator or voltage regulator . I feel good about how to proceed . It is the fan not turning that has me stumped . any ideas on this issue I could work on would be appreciated .
Al,
I suspect you already know this but I will ask anyway.
Are you connected to shore power when you start the gen? If so, and you start the gen; you will still see 120V on your 2 volt meters. If the gen is not producing 120V, then the power transfer switch will not switch to the genny. IOW, it appears the genny is running and producing 120V but it is not. Why? Because the 120V is still coming from the shore power. So disconnect from shore power if you are connected before doing any troubleshooting.
So if the problem is that the fan does not start when the gen starts to produce 120V showing on your 2 volt meters over the entry door; then the voltage regulator is working properly. So your problem has to be somewhere between the voltage regulator output and the gen fan.
Either the fan motor is defective or you have an open 120V (David says it's 240V) circuit to the fan motor from the gen.
First, I would eliminate the possibility of a defective fan motor by using a volt meter to see if the fan motor is getting voltage. I am not near my bus and I don't remember if there is a seperate junction box in that bay that the fan motor leads (wire) run to or if they run to the control box that is used to start the genny. But there should be a place to check for 120V (240V)power going to the fan motor somewhere in that bay.
The alternator provides 12V to charge the gen battery among other things. It may also power a relay in the fan motor control circuit. This I am not sure about but if it does there should be a 12V fuse somewhere in that circuit. I have yet to find or see an electrical schematic for the genny but I'm sure there is one somewhere.