Low voltage out of Genset

[Bruce Morris]

Be careful when you start adjusting a generator. It requires special equipment
and knowledge to do it correctly. A lot of generators run at 1800 rpm and use
rpm to determine the 60 hz (Onans are generally set at 58 hz). There is also a
tool that will put a load on the generator. It is mostly a bunch of heating
coils that can be added to or removed from the generator output by different
switches. This allows the generator to be adjusted over a range of loads.

My Kohler has a voltage regulator on it that was replaced by Ralph F which is
what determines the voltage output to the coach.

Be careful adjusting generators unless you know what you are doing or you can
really mess things up without really trying.

Bruce Morris (919)872-7635 Raleigh, NC
Webmaster - WOO (http://www.wanderlodge.us)
1983 WL FC35RB

FMCA: 7142s Ham Radio: KI4ME
Vietnam Vet - 1966-67 'Doc' (Navy Corpsman) 3rd MarDiv

----- Original Message -----
From: Pete Masterson
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:37 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Low voltage out of Genset


I'd suggest using a Hertz meter as well. You don't want to move the
Hz too far from 60 as it can adversely affect motors, etc.

Pete Masterson
aeonix1@...
'95 Bluebird Wanderlodge WBDA 4203
El Sobrante, CA

On Aug 22, 2006, at 8:14 AM, Curt Sprenger wrote:

> I'm not an expert but found this on the Internet. For an
> oscillating or
> varying current, frequency is the number of complete cycles per second
> in alternating current direction. The standard unit of frequency is
> the
> hertz, abbreviated Hz. If a current completes one cycle per second,
> then
> the frequency is 1 Hz; 60 cycles per second equals 60 Hz (the standard
> alternating-current utility frequency in the United States).
>
> I recall the Onan guy adjusting rpms on our previous gen. set to
> get the
> frequency to 60 and to increase voltage.
>
> Sounds to me you are on the right track. If you can, turn up the rpms
> and watch for voltage increase. Good luck. Please keep us posted.
>
> Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
>
>
> Alan wrote:
>
>> My 87FC35 has a 8.0 kW genset. I am getting low voltage out of it
>> (around 95 volts). On my last onan genset (77 GMC - carbed gas),
>> this was a common problem and was simply corrected by increasing
>> RPMs. (If this is the fix, how do I adjust idle speed? This fuel
>> injection isn't as intuitive for me as I've been a carburetor guy.)
>>
>> I found an installation manual for the genset and it says to adjust
>> some "taps" on a transformer regulator. It also says "output
>> frequency is determined by engine speed and normally does not
>> require adjustment." I'm not exactly sure what it means by "output
>> frequency". Is that voltage??
>>
>> Is this problem more complicated than adjusting the RPMs? Maybe I
>> don't have one of the Onan manuals..?? I have a parts manual and an
>> installation manual.
>>
>> I have searched the forums and did not find a post that seemed to
>> address my situation. Let me know if I missed it.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Alan Johnson
>> 87FC35
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
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>

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