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Topic: No Power From Generator (Read 1093 times) previous topic - next topic

No Power From Generator

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

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #1 –
You should open up the cover over the breakers so you can check for voltage to the breakers
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #2 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #3 –
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.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #4 –

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.

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #5 –
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
Eric & Nancy
1999 36 Ft. U320 WTFE
2016 GMC Terrain

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #6 –
When mine did the same, it was a bad winding in the rotor. Had a Power Tech shop rewind it.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #7 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #8 –
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

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #9 –
Did the 5 amp fuse holder look factory? That is what PowerTech told me to convert to from my circuit breaker.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #10 –
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?

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #11 –
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #12 –
OK understand,  the only push breaker I have is the fan cooling breaker do you have that also?

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #13 –
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.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #14 –
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.
 

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Charlie G –
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
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
 

Re: No Power From Generator

Reply #16 –
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