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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Charlie G on May 13, 2017, 03:02:27 pm

Title: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 13, 2017, 03:02:27 pm
Generator has been working fine now now runs about 5 min. and shutting down on overheat. Generator fan motor not running when generator is on, I do not think the blower fan is getting power to run. Fan breaker is not tripped nor the two main breakers on generator.
When the generator is running for that short period I do not see on the Mangnum any indication of power. Before I tear into it could I be missing something simple?  Inside breaker? setting ?

Thanks
Charlie
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: red tractor on May 13, 2017, 03:21:29 pm
You should open up the cover over the breakers so you can check for voltage to the breakers
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: craneman on May 13, 2017, 03:27:43 pm
I had a fan breaker go bad last year. Called Power Tech and they suggested I put a fuse in as the breaker was costly. Found a breaker on line that worked with a little modification.
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: amos.harrison on May 14, 2017, 06:55:48 am
Strange.  Power Tech just sent me a new breaker for $66 without mentioning switching to a fuse.  Mine had just gradually weakened over time but never failed without tripping.  I'd be looking for a broken wire inside the control box.
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 14, 2017, 07:50:30 am

There are three breakers on the front of generator (2) I think they would be the main breakers and one breaker for the cooling fan. I will take the top cover off the generator box to check the main breakers as soon as it stops raining but my question would be why would both go at the same time? Or am I missing another breaker somewhere? All the breakers by the bed seem to be OK.
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Eric Rudolph on May 14, 2017, 08:12:21 am
I had a similar problem several years ago. The problem was with the Voltage Regulator.
I would check/replace that.
If it is not working the fan will not run and the generator overheats and shuts down.
Mine jiggled loose and was hanging. I had a new one installed, and had it bolted and glued on
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Tom Lang on May 14, 2017, 09:43:34 am
When mine did the same, it was a bad winding in the rotor. Had a Power Tech shop rewind it.
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: craneman on May 14, 2017, 09:44:56 am
Strange.  Power Tech just sent me a new breaker for $66 without mentioning switching to a fuse.  Mine had just gradually weakened over time but never failed without tripping.  I'd be looking for a broken wire inside the control box.
Here is the post I did and the route I went.
Generator not making a/c power (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=29385.msg248780#msg248780)
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 14, 2017, 07:34:22 pm
Thanks for everyone's response...What I found was the 5A fuse holder was bad, fuse was good but holder was shot. Cooling fan and generator seem to be working normally now.
 Is there a proper way for filling generator radiator? I see two valves that come off the top coolant tank that were closed, not quite sure how that works. I will be changing out the coolant in the generator.

Thanks for the help
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: craneman on May 14, 2017, 07:43:06 pm
Did the 5 amp fuse holder look factory? That is what PowerTech told me to convert to from my circuit breaker.
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 14, 2017, 07:52:17 pm
I replaced it with the same style that was in there, that was a fuse and holder that was thru the front panel. NAPA Auto Parts had them in stock. Did the circuit breaker they sent you to replace the original fit thru the same hole?
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: craneman on May 14, 2017, 07:56:29 pm
Mine was circuit breaker from the factory, which went bad and tech support told me to switch to a 5 amp fuse.. The hole in the panel would work for both. At the time the circuit breaker was selling for $45.00 see the link in reply #7
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 14, 2017, 07:58:39 pm
OK understand,  the only push breaker I have is the fan cooling breaker do you have that also?
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: craneman on May 14, 2017, 08:13:06 pm
Yes I found one on the internet for about $8.00 What did your 5 amp fuse go to? I thought it was the fan also.
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 16, 2017, 09:40:24 am
Not quite sure........ there is a 5A and 10A along with the push button breaker for the cooling fan, Also the two (2) 45A main breakers.
 
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Pamela & Mike on May 16, 2017, 05:28:18 pm
Not quite sure........ there is a 5A and 10A 

Charlie,

5 amp should be the feed for the excitation circuit and the 10amp should be for all the other electrical stuff that it takes to run and monitor the generator and power unit.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: No Power From Generator
Post by: Charlie G on May 17, 2017, 07:49:04 am
Thanks, once I changed the 5A fuse holder everything started and making elec. ....... I am showing a over-voltage red light warning inside the coach now. I will have to take a look at engine RPM or perhaps generator voltage regulator will need to be replaced.

Thanks
Charlie