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Topic: My PowerTech/Cat 12kw generator will not put out any electricity (Read 2076 times) previous topic - next topic

My PowerTech/Cat 12kw generator will not put out any electricity

My PowerTech/Cat 12.o generator will run but not put out any electricity.  On my silver leaf monitor the Gen Info light blinks and when you press for more info it reads"stopped external activity".  Because it is not putting out any juice, the radiator fan does not run and if you let it run it overheats.

I have spoken to Foretravel tech over the weekend and we tried resetting every breaker there is and no luck.

 Anyone experience this and have a solution?

Thanks,
Gerard
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Generator problem

Reply #1 –
Quote from: lavocat –
My PowerTech/Cat 12.o generator will run but not put out any electricity. 

I have spoken to Foretravel tech over the weekend and we tried resetting every breaker there is and no luck.

 Anyone experience this and have a solution?


We feel your pain.  Ours is at MOT for the same problem. 

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10686.0

If you're comfortable with disconnecting the genset exhaust and doing some DVM electrical probing of the regulator connector, the relevant values and troubleshooting are in the manual (if it's the same basic generator end as our Kubota-based) which is posted here thanks to Dave M.

The selected media item is not currently available.
I'm sure Dave will chime in on this as well.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Generator problem

Reply #2 –
Mine is not a Kubota.  It is a Cat.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Generator problem

Reply #3 –
Quote
My PowerTech/Cat 12.o generator will run but not put out any electricity.

Is it a PTS-12 CSI Cat?
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Generator problem

Reply #4 –
Dave,

I am not familiar with the Caterpillar engine in the generators. 

I do know that Caterpillar acquired/bought Perkins many years ago.  No idea if this is a "Perkapillar" engine.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Generator problem

Reply #5 –
As an update to my problem, my silver leaf shows zero amps and zero volts on one leg and zero amps and 170 volts on the other leg when the gen is running.  Still not making any juice.  I was told by powertech to pull the cover off of the control box located on top of the gen.  I disconnected the flexible exhaust and pulled the gen out as far as it would go which is not very far and not enough to get the control box out from the quiet box.  I did manage to get the top off but accessing anything in the box is almost impossible.  I was able to see that the connections appear intact to everything(most of this was by feel as I could not see all of them).  Spoke to powertech this morning and they want me to check the voltage at the 50 amp breakers which I will do this evening when I get home.  Any other ideas out there?
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Generator problem

Reply #6 –
Oh and yes Barry it is a PTSRV 12CSI CAT.  The document you posted indicates to check a fuse and the guy at Powertech says there is no fuse only a breaker.  Do you know if there is a fuse and if so where it would be located?
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Generator problem

Reply #7 –
Quote
Oh and yes Barry it is a PTSRV 12CSI CAT.  The document you posted indicates to check a fuse and the guy at Powertech says there is no fuse only a breaker.  Do you know if there is a fuse and if so where it would be located?
Gerard , I emailed you the Manual.
I dont have time to look as I am out the door for Colorado Springs.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Generator problem

Reply #8 –
Turns out one leg is not working. No juice in or out of one breaker. The other has juice in and out. Powertech thinks I burned up one side of the gen. Dave what else could it be?
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Generator problem

Reply #9 –
WOW !!
I  would open it up, and be looking for a burned wire, that had rubbed on something, if no sign of visible damage, I would use a ohm meter and start checking stator windings.
Appears it is not a regulator issue, so have a look inside the end where the wires come out, look for any damage where the wire could have been rubbing on something, like rotor end etc.

More thoughts, Reason I suggest the rubbing issue, if it were an over load issue, the single  breaker should have tripped to protect that winding.
Always interesting things that should not happen to these little things.  If rubbing is the case, it just shows the lack of QC some where, either Power Tech or Foretravel unless it has been screwed with since it left FT plant.
Good luck
Dave

Re: Generator problem

Reply #10 –
Update on the genset problem.  Dave was right.  When they opened the unit up at FOT this morning, there was a melted wire coming off the stator from a loose connection appearantly.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Generator problem

Reply #11 –
Also found my problem this afternoon with high voltage. Bad diode. Easy to see as connector was burnt.  Waiting for part, but also ordered regulator just in case it is more than one problem. I have a 6.5 onan propane. 
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Generator problem

Reply #12 –
Jeff, When you get the new diode installed, be sure to check the frequency / RPM, I feel it could be running tooo fast.  When it runs too fast, it tends to raise the voltage and burn up something, diodes and or resisters.
If you can not read the frequency, at least use a volt meter and slow engine until it runs no more than 125 volts with no load MAX.

Just food fer thought
Dave

Re: Generator problem

Reply #13 –
Thanks,

Will do exactly what you recommend...sure makes a lot of sense why diode went bad.. since I have a regulator ordered I will install that also....
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others