kohler gen

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Hello Mike, Curt and everyone:

It is true about the "exciter" voltage. The field begins to build through
the 12 VDC supplied by the battery source. Then as the field gains higher
strength, the C relay closes by the 120 VAC between leg one and neutral and
drops out the battery and the quadrature windings takes over to supply the
12 VDC on up to 14 to 18 VDC to maintain the filed. Both the battery and
quadrature voltage is supplied through the slip rings and the brushes back
to the voltage regulator, then the voltage regulator regulates the out put
voltage and controls the speed of 1800 RPM through another circuit.

In systems with the alternator, it serves a slightly different different
function by maintaining the charge on the gen set battery and help to
maintain the integrity of the field voltage, though I am not fully versed
on the systems with the alternator and exactly what circuits it serves.

If your brushes are not centered on the slip rings, or the slip rings are
breaking down or the solder joints are weak from the slip rings to the
rotor, that can and does affect the DC voltage build up to continue to
build the field controlled by the regulator.

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
Ralph's RV Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma
http://home.swbell.net/rlf47/index.htm

At 11:01 PM 10/31/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>Ah yes, excellent point Curt. I fixated on fuel in response to
>Ernie's comment and my current problems, but you are absolutely right.
> As I recall, they will not run at all if that circuit isn't providing
>enough "exciter" voltage? Ralph? Jump right in here. Did I remember
>that right from the Lone Star Birds class?
>
>Mike Bulriss
>83 PT40 "Stagecoach" - For Sale
>91 PT40 "Texas Minivan"
>San Antonio, TX
>
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt Sprenger
> wrote:
> >
> > *I DON'T WANT TO SCARE ANYONE NOW*...*I hope this is not the problem
>you
> > are having*!* If your generator controls work the same as ours*,
> > something to check is the voltage to the gen. control box. Our Bird
>had
> > similar problems as you have described. The gen. ran fine for months,
> > then became a hit/miss to get it started. Then it would not
>start/run at
> > all. I took the Bird to a generator specialty shop for testing. The
> > problem turned out to be the alternator (that creates the 110/220
>power)
> > was not putting out voltage to the control box. That voltage is needed
> > to start/keep the gen. system running. All the alternator windings were
> > history, caused from a lack of frequent use. Our Bird got a new
>alternator.
> >
> > *Again, I hope this is not the problem you are experiencing. Good luck.
> > *
> >
> > Curt Sprenger 1987 PT38, Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> >
> >
> > >
>