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Topic: Generator trouble shooting. (Read 584 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator trouble shooting.

Happy New Year Everybody!


OK I have what I hope is a quick question.

What does the startup sequence look like on the led indicators of the Dynagen ES52 controller?


Backing up a bit...
We took a quick trip out to the beach the other day and the generator wouldn't start.  Cranks fine with white smoke suggesting no glow plug action. I put a meter on the glow plug bus bar and got almost zero volts during cranking. Figured this was one of the relays so I opened up the box and replaced all three for testing...  No change, I then put the meter on terminal 12 of the ES52 and did not see any voltage... I also noticed that the pre-heat light does not light up.

All these things indicate the ES52 is bad but I am wondering if there is an output protection feature which kicks in if the glow plugs are bad?  Not a huge deal to replace glow plugs as a routine maintenance item but I don't want to replace the ES52 if its not bad.

Thoughts and comments are welcoms.

Cheers

Chris 
Chris 1999 U320

Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #1 –
Link to your Dynagen ? I have no clue what's happened, but our Onans started every time in cold weather without  glow plugs. A good piece of advice is to start the big engine first and then hit the gen-set just in case the starting battery system is low. Let us know. M
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
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                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
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Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #2 –
I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but did you hit the pre-heat button prior to the start button.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: joeszeidel –
I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but did you hit the pre-heat button prior to the start button.
So, do the newer gen-sets have glow plugs and is THAT what the pre-heat button is for?
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #4 –
Mike mine is a 95 and all I can tell you is I push my pre-heat for a few seconds and then hit the gen start button and away we go. She starts easily.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: squeezer –
Happy New Year Everybody!


OK I have what I hope is a quick question.

What does the start up sequence look like on the led indicators of the Dynagen ES52 controller?


Backing up a bit...
We took a quick trip out to the beach the other day and the generator wouldn't start.  Cranks fine with white smoke suggesting no glow plug action. I put a meter on the glow plug bus bar and got almost zero volts during cranking. Figured this was one of the relays so I opened up the box and replaced all three for testing...  No change, I then put the meter on terminal 12 of the ES52 and did not see any voltage... I also noticed that the pre-heat light does not light up.

All these things indicate the ES52 is bad but I am wondering if there is an output protection feature which kicks in if the glow plugs are bad?  Not a huge deal to replace glow plugs as a routine maintenance item but I don't want to replace the ES52 if its not bad.

Thoughts and comments are welcoms.

Cheers

Chris
When you activate the start switch the relay connects the fuel pump and the glow plugs. after a delay it activates the starter. the glow plugs don't stay on with the engine running. When you were checking voltage with the starter motor turning the glow plug voltage would be low. Use the volt meter on a glow plug after you start the sequence before the starter kicks in. I had a similar problem and it was the fuel line sucking air.
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: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the replies guys...

I might not have been clear enough however.

On the ES52 there are 6 led indicators.  Upon the startup sequence my "preheat" light is not turning on...  I am trying to determine if this means I have a bad ES52, bad glow plugs, or a wiring fault of some kind.

Chris 1999 U320

Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #8 –
You should have 12VDC on terminal #12 when the glow plug timer is active, if not think of replacement of the ES52. If there is voltage, then the ES52 would appear good.

Re: Generator trouble shooting.

Reply #9 –
A quick update on this old post.

I replaced the ES52 and all is well.

Chris 1999 U320