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Topic: 10kw Powertech repair update  (Read 569 times) previous topic - next topic

10kw Powertech repair update

Just wanted to share what we found on our 10kw Powertech generator. Back in February while at the King of Hammers race in Johnson Valley California our generator shut down from an overheat condition while we were away. Generator ran fine but no fan and no power output. Luckily we had a portable generator to get us through the week.We finally had time to do some troubleshooting on it a couple weeks ago. Found 5v at transfer switch and fan. When we pulled the end off the generator we found the end bearing a little tight and rough to spin. The Exciter Rotor had made contact with the Exciter Stator. Going through all the troubleshooting steps and ohming everything out we found the Stator was bad. Rotor looked fine luckily.

After a conversation with Jeff at Powertech, we ordered the parts (Stator & End Bearing) and replaced them this morning. Fired up the generator and all is well (Whew and WooHoo)! We really dodged a bullit on this one. According to Jeff the Exciter Stator is the only replaceable part other than electronics. If that didn't work we would have to replace the whole generator head. Total repair was $570.41 parts and shipping. Was a fairly easy repair, even with no knowledge or experience with generators. 

Thanks to Barry's Beamalarm site for the manual and troubleshooting guide. And to the Foretravel forum and related posts and info. I felt comfortable enough to tackle the job. I wish I had took pictures and documented the process but in reality it was a simple straight forward remove and replace. Once we saw the damage it was pretty obvious what happened. Hope this info can help someone in the future.
Dave & Danette
2005 Foretravel U270, 3620 PBLW, Build #6331
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 RR
2016 Polaris Turbo RZR
Motorcade #17839

Re: 10k Powertech repair update

Reply #1
That was great you were able to fix it.  We had to replace our generator pancake with a new one over the winter.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: 10k Powertech repair update

Reply #2
It was a gamble, but after talking to Jeff at Powertech we felt it was worth a shot. Luckily it worked.
Dave & Danette
2005 Foretravel U270, 3620 PBLW, Build #6331
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 RR
2016 Polaris Turbo RZR
Motorcade #17839

Re: 10kw Powertech repair update

Reply #3
How many hours are on your genny?
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: 10kw Powertech repair update

Reply #4
1150 hours
Dave & Danette
2005 Foretravel U270, 3620 PBLW, Build #6331
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 RR
2016 Polaris Turbo RZR
Motorcade #17839

Re: 10kw Powertech repair update

Reply #5
That's low hours for generator bearing failure.  Have you followed best practice of operating the generator under load monthly?
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: 10kw Powertech repair update

Reply #6
We're the second owner, bought the coach 3 years ago and it only had 400 hours on the generator. We live in our coach Fulltime, and use the generator extensively while traveling. Weird thing is it's always ran quiet and I've never heard any indication of noise from the bearing.

Don't know if Sand storms can cause it, but we were boondocking in the middle of Johnson Valley, on a dry lake bed in the middle of the dessert. Did have a couple of sand storms blow through. Although there were no signs of sand in the generator. The bearing didn't come apart, just had a little rough spot and tightness. Luckily it only damaged the Stator and not the rotor.
Dave & Danette
2005 Foretravel U270, 3620 PBLW, Build #6331
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 RR
2016 Polaris Turbo RZR
Motorcade #17839