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Topic: Help! No generator fan (Read 1031 times) previous topic - next topic

Help! No generator fan

I'm in a Walmart parking lot with low coach batteries.  The Power Tech generator tripped this morning on over temperature.  After letting it cool, refilling with coolant, and re-starting I found the radiator blower wasn't working.  Where is the dang circuit breaker for the blower?
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #1 –
There should be a circuit breaker on the generator control panel, you should be able to reset it by pushing in on it, if it is like my 01 unit.
Good luck

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #2 –
Also, if the cooling system was low on coolant, you might need to bleed the air from the top of the radiator, mine has a vent valve on the top.
keep filling until you get antifreeze out of that vent, then close off, top off the neck with the pressure cap and close up.
IF the generator is making voltage, resetting the breaker should restore the fan operation.
Good luck

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #3 –
Dave,

I did the refill procedure correctly.  The circuit breaker button was depressed.  After I tripped it, it refuses to reset.  What does that mean?
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #4 –
Is the generator making juice?  If not the fan will not run.  I had this issue with mine last year and it was loose connection that caused an arc and burnt a wire.  Might not be your problem but if you are not making juice then your fan will not run.
Gerard Caswell
Eunice, LA
2006 Phenix
2011 GMC Sierra P/U 4x4

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #5 –
Gerard,

You got it.  I just found it is not making juice.  This will take more effort.  I guess I'd better hit the road and let the main engine re-charge for a while.  This is the first time my generator hasn't produced.  I'll need some time to pull the generator out and probe the breaker box.
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #6 –
Bret, I had a round of this exact problem about a year ago.  The circuit breaker in my case was located on the control box on the upper right area of the generator.  The circuit breaker looks like a toggle switch. 

It turned out that the circuit breaker had become weak and due to the vibration of the generator.  It would trip purely due to vibration.  I replaced the circuit breaker and have had no more problems with it. 

Some time in the past, my '99 U320 had had an auxiliary control box installed in the locker with the generator radiator.  It contained the auto-start circuitry.  The circuit breakers for the generator radiator fan and the generator field, as well as the two main 120volt breakers were still in the box on the generator.  I rewired and moved the radiator fan and field breakers over to the compartment with the gen radiator to get them away from the heat and vibration of the generator itself.  I think that this will extend their life significantly.  The only electrics left in the box on the generator are the two main breakers. 

(I bought the new gen fan breaker from Power Tech in Leesburg, Fl)
Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #7 –
I had the same problem on my 1997 U295

best, paul

Quote
Bret, I had a round of this exact problem about a year ago. The circuit breaker in my case was located on the control box on the upper right area of the generator. The circuit breaker looks like a toggle switch.

It turned out that the circuit breaker had become weak and due to the vibration of the generator. It would trip purely due to vibration. I replaced the circuit breaker and have had no more problems with it.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #8 –
Since there is no generator output, I think the problem is bigger than the fan breaker. My breaker box is still on top of the genny  i guess I'll have to get into that tonight. It's darn near inaccessible even with the genny rolled out.
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #9 –
Do not forget to make sure both AC breakers are on too, or the fan will not work nor will you have power to the coach.

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #10 –
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago.  The generator shut-down with a fault light.  I reset the fault, and the generator started just fine, but produced no electricity.  It turns out the original fault was over-temp because the fan wasn't running due to no juice from the generator.

I took it to a Powertech shop, hoping it was something simple, like a regulator.  No such luck.  The rotar had a blown winding.  After that was fixed (about $2000 later), I left the shop with a running generator, only to return a few minutes later with a stopped generator and a fault light.  This happened at least five times before they correctly located and solved the problem.

At first they thought the fault was due to low coolant, so they burped the radiator.  No luck.

Then they thought it was low oil pressure, do they did an oil change to make sure the correct oil was being used.  No luck.

Then they thought the oil pressure sensor was bad and replaced it.  No luck.

Then they though the coolant temperature sensor was bad and replaced it.  No luck.

Since they ran out of ideas, I looked into the FT docs and found there was a coolant level sensor they did now know about.  They replaced it and the problem was solved.

It's been fine ever since.
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: Help! No generator fan

Reply #11 –
take off the top of the control box and look for a loose wire with a mirror. This was my problem. It is easier to acess with the generator with the  door partially open looking from over the top of the door with the generator out as far as it will go.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #12 –
If I remember correctly it was a small white wire inside the control box in the area of the circuit breakers that had separated from a spade connector.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522

Re: Help! No generator fan

Reply #13 –
Just thought of two other areas where I had problems. There is a distribution bar at very bottom of control box. Had loose wire there too. Also look for loose wire around voltage regulator and every other place place you can see. As I mentioned a mirror helps a lot.
Felix and Gail Mathieu
99 U320
Jeep Liberty CRD
Build number 5522