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Topic: Generator Woes (Read 1201 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator Woes

2000 PowerTech 12K in my U320.  Estimated hours, 4500 - 6500. 
Traveling to Elk City, Oklahoma, our generator ran fine.  Staying at my sisters and yesterday morning took the coach to a shop in town for a brake inspection.  When I fired the coach up, the generator would start right up but only run for 1 maybe 2 seconds then shut down.  No indicator lights on the front panel to suggest what the problem might be.  Today, I have replaced both fuel filters and checked fuel pump for adequate flow, switches and fuses.  No change.  I am looking for any other simple checks that I can make to possibly determine the problem.  The closest PowerTech approved service center is in Oklahoma City, about 115 miles away which is not a problem for us to travel there.  Or can anyone recommend a shop in the Oklahoma City area that can work on it? 

Re: Generator Woes

Reply #1 –
Sounds like it could be a bad oil switch.

Mike

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Reply #3 –
Have you checked the latching relay?
Mine was tripping so I replaced it.
Been working fine

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Reply #4 –
Frank, what was your generator doing when you replaced the latching relay.  About 2 months ago I ordered a new latching relay but it never showed up.  I will try to source one and replace it.  Have already replaced all other relays.  I will check / replace the oil sensor today and see if that fixes it.  Happy Independence Day everyone!

Re: Generator Woes

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Bill B –
Frank, what was your generator doing when you replaced the latching relay.  About 2 months ago I ordered a new latching relay but it never showed up.  I will try to source one and replace it.  Have already replaced all other relays.  I will check / replace the oil sensor today and see if that fixes it.  Happy Independence Day everyone!

Are you going to diagnose and find the failed component, or are you just going to keep swapping parts? Because it sounds like swapping parts hasn't given you the desired outcome thus far.

Re: Generator Woes

Reply #6 –
If you remove the wire from the oil sensor, and the generator runs, it's the sensor

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Reply #7 –
Hi Bill,
Mine would run for a bit and shut down.
At first a cleaning of a connector in front of the generator resolved it for a while.
But then it started shutting down again.
I replaced the relays es52 inside the control box with no change.
While I was looking for loose wires to a connection I noticed the latching relay was tripped.
Reset it a couple of times and same issue so I replaced it.

I had spoken to John Kerbs about it and he said he had similar issue. He replaced the latching relay which looked good on the outside but showed signs of failure inside when he opened the relay .

Hasn't happened again .
Power went out last night due to weather and ran gen for 4 hours without issue.

Happy 4th

Re: Generator Woes

Reply #8 –
Frank, oil sensor checks ok.  Disconnected it and still start but no run.  I will check the latching relay.  Had a hard time locating the service manual online but I just downloaded it so maybe that will help.

Kruse, I can only diagnose as far as my abilities allow.  Swapping out 25 year old relays with new ones seems like a good idea to me.  They are not expensive and may save a problem down the road, just my thinking.  And you are correct, swapping parts has not given me the desired result.  However, if changing inexpensive parts keeps me out of the $170.00/hr shop, I will swap the parts.  It's just my time and a little money.

Re: Generator Woes

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill B –
Kruse, I can only diagnose as far as my abilities allow.
Does your generator have an ES52 controller?

If YES, did you read the link I provided?

If no, read the link. It is very possible the LED light that tells you WHY the unit is shutting off is FAILED.

If no ES52, provide more info on unit specifics (like maybe post a picture of the wiring diagram?!?).  Or, just swap parts. Or pay a pro to fix it.

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Reply #10 –
Quote from: Bill B –
Frank, oil sensor checks ok.  Disconnected it and still start but no run.  I will check the latching relay.  Had a hard time locating the service manual online but I just downloaded it so maybe that will help.

If it's not in the Generator Manuals section of the Media Library:

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?media/album/generator-genset-manuals.204/

would you mind uploading it to that album?  I'm sure it will help others in the future.

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Reply #11 –
Michelle, the manual I downloaded is already in the library and is the operators manual, not a service manual.  I should have looked on the forum.

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Reply #12 –
You can ohm out your latching relay or bypass it to rule it out.

Mark

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Reply #13 –
Thanks Mark.  The latching relay appears good.  Disconnected in and out wires and verified switch opens and closes when 12v applied to coil when engine starts.  Jumped the in and out wires and same failure.  I have not found a full wiring schematic that is for my vintage generator. 
 

Re: Generator Woes

Reply #14 –
Update: Generator back up and running after the ES52 was replaced and properly set up by Sanson at Keith Risch RV Service.