It looks like the generator end is dead. So far the exciter stator a has low resistance, haven't had time to get further into it. Already have checked the control box for broken/ loose wires. The PT10 is obsolete, as in the only part available is the exciter stator, just shy of 600.00 dollars.
Has anyone had any experience having the components ( stators and rotors) rewound? I know they do larger gen sets all the time.
There are used gen sets out there$$$ but you still end up with a 20+ year old gen. There are different generator heads that can be made to fit, but a lot of re doing to make it work. And of course a new generator is always an option.
Guess it depends on how long you guys plan to continue using your coach (full or part time). The "fix" is probably gonna be expensive however you do it. Looks like new 10 kW generators run about 12-14 thousand. If you can amortize the expense over another 10 years or so of reliable power generation, then it doesn't look as bad...but still hurts.
Measure the hole and mounting points where the original generator is installed, and then see what's available (new or used) that would plug into the same space without too much hassle.
Example of a new one below:
https://powersuite.cummins.com/PS5/PS5Content/SiteContent/en/Binary_Asset/pdf/Consumer/specsheets/a-1483.pdf
10 kW & Larger Diesel RV Generators - Electric Generators Direct (https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/power/10-plus-kw-diesel-rv-generators.html)
Thanks Chuck. I looked at Onan it would require a lot of rebuilding of the generator slide out tray.I don't have access to a welder and cutting touches, or the lifting equipment for a 600 lb generator. I found a used 10K Onan for 3500 low hours.
Did they use a megger to check it,and you could try using a heat gun to dry out the windings,that
Would help on the bigger ones sometimes,whereare you now.
Im confident that they can be rewound, but need to find a old school shop that can accommodate. These skills are being lost to Chinese disposable products. Seems to me Powertech would already know the final route you will end up going. This is there product and regardless if it is obsolete they still need to step up with at least answers IMO. I know I am following your information as should everyone who owns these generators.
Scott
Bruce,
You might be able to find an used one out of one of one of the RV wrecking yards. If you can't find a good old time motor shop to rewind it. If you are lucky they may check it out and be able to clean the windings and be able to dip and pressure bake it.
Mike
PT charges an arm and a leg for anything. The engine mounts were over 4X the price I got them for. I would try an old school shop first then junkyard.
Pierce
Bruce.
How many hrs have you got on the geny ?
It shouldn't be hard to find a rewind shop we have lots here and if it is rewound it's brand new.
1800 hours.
Scott,There answer is it's obsolete, need a new generator , no parts available for the generator head
I have a 1996 U320, I replaced the generator head, with a new one, last year.
You must of got the last new generator head!
I want to say there was a topic on this 1-2 months ago, I will see if I can find it.
Yes, here Generator service (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=44645.msg452439#msg452439)
Did you call on Marathon and see if they had one that fits?
Starting to may me think if one could get several old power heads rewound at the same time this may be a resolvable issue. We have a old school repair shop 1510 San Felipe Drive Boulder City Nevada 89005 miles away, I should stop by and see what they have the capability to do. Henderson Electric Electric Motors | Henerson, Nevada | Henderson, Nevada (https://www.heminv.com/)
Also as Mike had said prior converting to a different generator head seems possible to me also. Sure would be nice just to convert it over to other new product.
10kva Brushless Alternator 1800 Rpm One Phase 120v Generator Head - Buy... (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/10kva-brushless-alternator-1800-rpm-one_1600275287759.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.5ae46a796aEh6p) just after a ten minute search. No idea if it would work but just a idea
Small diesels used to spin generators have a SAE bolt pattern designation and once that's found, you can match up a generator head to the engine. I didn't like the smell our PT generator made so I bought a used CalTrans type light tower with a Deutz 3 cylinder and a 6500 watt generator. It's a Genie 4000N and the specs including the 4 different generators options are listed at their site. It was easy to wire it for a L14-30 receptacle so I could run an extension cord to the transfer switch on the side of our house. I'm sure quite a few domestic generators as well as the Asian units will work nicely.
Most all generator heads will be 120/240 volts and are really easy to wire for both voltages. The load should be balanced a little but it's not critical. Many transfer switches have twin watt meters built in so it's easy to load the generator so not just one leg is providing most of the juice.
Understanding SAE Bellhousing and Flywheel Measurements - Seaboard Marine (https://www.sbmar.com/articles/understanding-bellhousing-and-flywheel-measurements/) This has the measurements as will as photos of everything.
Generator head call for info: Generator Heads – Generator Parts | Central Georgia Generators (https://centralgagenerator.com/product-category/generator-heads/)
Pierce
7,000 or 8,000 could work and maybe fit better. Foretravel used 8,000 watt Power Tech in many coaches of the same years.
How about finding another gen shop to determine what part is not working. Could be anything include lots of small parts that can cause failures. Maybe all stators have low resistance or maybe it does not mean anything.
Hard to find a fixer these days, keep at it.
If you are near Florida, Power Tech has a nearby service shop that knows these units.
Hey Barry how are y'all? My exciter stator has 27 ohms resistance supposed between 80-90 give or take. Per Jeff at PT it's bad so far I haven't dug any farther to see if the exciter rotor, and the mains are within specs, before I go buyin parts. Also had a PT service shop confirm my findings. Also replaced the voltage regulator.
Bruce,Dave Larsen is selling a coach in the classifieds,he lists that his rotor was rewound,may be worth an email to ask where.
This is where I sent the rotor:
Electric Motor Repair, Rewinds, & Parts | Eurton Electric (https://eurtonelectric.com/)
Did they quote a price?
P
What type of warranty, if any, did they provide?
Answers to 19 and 20 are on their site,easy to look up.
Dave
They show 8K for Marathon around $1,300.00
I used these guys years ago.
Marine Repair Remanufactured Generators, Motors, Pumps, Thrusters (https://browardarmature.com)
Bruce you might try dick wright up in Oregon he builds Genny's for bus conversions I had one of his in our Eagle .
I'm see if I can contact him. Thanks 👍
Thanks for all the input. It will be a couple of months until I will be where I can look int the generator further. But I am going to start trying to contact some of these folks.
Bruce, there's a guy on Foretravel Facebook that's parting out his 98 U320. Would that Benny work for you?
Not Bruce but it would be a simple swap. Use the best engine with the good power head all the wiring and related stuff would be plug and play. Deciding on the radiator and which one to use would be the biggest thing to ponder.
Mike
Here's a couple pics from that FB post
I'm real interested where the generator head came from. I did reach out to the seller. Thanks to all who contacted me.
Heard back from the seller the price is 4200.00, 1315 hours
So, yesterday thought I would start the dead generator just to run it a bit. Started right up making power ran both airs for 1/2 an hour!!! So now what loose connection somewhere in the generator end?
Bruce,
Did you have the end bearing replace some time back? If so I would go out on a limb as say that one of the wires on the diode plate has come loose from where it was taken off for bearing replacement. But I would look real close in the crontrol box for a loose wire before taking the end cover off to check the rotor.
Mike
Been all over the control box a couple of times. Also had it checked out by a PT generator guy. In h next few days going to pull the end cover off see what I can see. Yes I did have the generator end bearing replaced 3 years ago.
Bruce,
If it has been that long I would have thought that if one of the screws was going to come loose it would have been shortly after the bearing replacement. With what has happened you have a loose wire the problem is locating it.
Mike
Yep, chasing those gremlins 😬
I found 2 wires that had broken inside the connectors at two different times. I found them
when I was going to change the voltage regulator. I postponed the voltage regulator two
times. So pulling on the wires might be a good idea.
Bruce,
It started out looking like an expensive repair,
Now may just be your labor. Much better.