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Topic: Any ideas why generator does this (Read 1048 times) previous topic - next topic

Any ideas why generator does this

Generator is doing a couple of things that I'm concerned about. See picture attached. It will increase the voltage to 150 or 160 for 1-2 minutes. Sometimes it does it randomly but mostly when it just starting for 1-2 minutes. Also on occasion (5% of running periods)  it will give me a "back surge/feed"?? Not sure if that was exactly what it said. But otherwise seems to work fine. This trip is really the first time I've used it while boondocking for about 6 days and running it in the morning and night for a few hours to charge batteries.

Any and all trouble shooting ideas would be appreciated since I am following the other thread about hard start issues.  Thanks in advance for the help.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #1
Looks like a voltage regulator problem. You would need to check the outlets with a voltmeter when the voltage spike occurs to make sure it isn't the monitor. If the outlets show the same voltage, give Jeff a call at Power Tech and he will advise you on what is going on. If you do have to change the regulator. PM me for what and what not to do.
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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #2
Those voltage monitors are unreliable, check with another digital voltmeter. The surge might not be real. If real, you risk expensive damage.

How does the monitor do with shire power?

The generator has a replaceable voltage regulator that might be acting up.

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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #3
Voltage regulator is dying is what I suppose is happening.
Could just be loose connections in control box. Open it up. Check all connections. Look for wires loose in connection fitting. Also if you see any fuses. Pull, check with multimeter, replace, check across fuse when replaced.

As others will say. Voltage regulator can be plug and play. Or the ones that if you install wrong!! You risk cooking gen head
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #4
Verify that it IS a voltage issue vs a monitor issue.

Plug a voltmeter into any wall socket to verify.
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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #5
Thanks for the replies, good info. Waiting for a plane home in Phoenix. Will check this out when I return to Rocky Point. Anything else you can think of will be great for this novice!

Tom,

haven't noticed any surges from shore power.


2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #6
Nope-- don't get ahead of yourself in solving what may not be a problem with the generator. Troubleshoot with a voltmeter first.
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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #7
If computer gods smile. You will see
Plug/play regulator as sold by Pt. Frt/back
Various photos attempting to show the little gold fuel filter that is located to left of silver block fuel pump on an izusu 3lb1 8k generator. Then I finally found photo that shows it in close up form. It is easily obtained at napa, o'riley auto parts. Simple wrench unscrew, remove fuel line clamp. Usually you should cut off about 1" of fuel line. Remove as needed amount to get to unswollen line.

I have shop manual that covers your engine. All advice is spot on. It is very easy to work on. Clean, air tight, on mechanical parts. Clean, tight, not fried or breaking down due to age on electrical. In truth. Your generator is newborn. These engines can run 20,000 hours. They are that sound of design.
Link Sharing


1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #8
If computer gods smile. You will see
Plug/play regulator as sold by Pt. Frt/back
Various photos attempting to show the little gold fuel filter that is located to left of silver block fuel pump on an izusu 3lb1 8k generator. Then I finally found photo that shows it in close up form. It is easily obtained at napa, o'riley auto parts. Simple wrench unscrew, remove fuel line clamp. Usually you should cut off about 1" of fuel line. Remove as needed amount to get to unswollen line.

I have shop manual that covers your engine. All advice is spot on. It is very easy to work on. Clean, air tight, on mechanical parts. Clean, tight, not fried or breaking down due to age on electrical. In truth. Your generator is newborn. These engines can run 20,000 hours. They are that sound of design.
Link Sharing
Mark I am pretty sure he has a different generator than yours. Probably the same as mine as we are both U320's with 10 KW
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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #9
Tommy, do you have a surge protector hooked up to your coach?  If not, that would be the first thing I would consider.  It saved our bacon when our generator voltage regulator went bananas.  Kept us from expensive repairs.  You also need to call Jeff at Power Tech, as he will know what regulator you need if you need one and or if it is plug and play.  Ours was and it is an easy switch out.  Our generator was reading 163 on leg 1 and 105 on leg 2.  Not good!  Good luck with your diagnosis!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #10
Ours was and it is an easy switch out.  Our generator was reading 163 on leg 1 and 105 on leg 2.  Not good!  Good luck with your diagnosis!

First "suspect" is a bad neutral connection.

Please let us know the actual cause.
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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #11
Is now a good time to say:
 Check the simple stuff first?
Well its allright, even if your old and grey.
Well its allright, you still got something to say

'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #12
Joe,
I had to dig through some files but I replaced my ATS in May of 2019 with a progressive dynamics PD52DCS transfer switch that has a surge protector built in so I think it has protected things.  I noticed when it showed the 160volts it looked like the charger switched to operating from absorption and quite charging the batteries.  So hopefully no damage.  I will perform the tasks you guys have laid out to troubleshoot the generator when I get back to PP in late Feb or early March.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #13
First "suspect" is a bad neutral connection.

Please let us know the actual cause.


Brett;  it was the voltage reg on the generator.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #14
I will be going to pick up coach on 2/29 so have not been able to do any testing on the generator voltage.  But in doing research I ran across this feed and had some questions.

I had already bought pedestal plug in Ems from progressive before my ATS transfer switch went bad and I replaced it with the Progressive Dynamics PD52DCS which has surge protection.  So If I use the pedestal Ems with the PD52DCS in place will I be protected from surges from both shore power and generator power and I assume my transfer switch will be safe also?

*****Post #29 seemed to sum up the thread nicely.
Generator high voltage problem
"I also asked the Quartzsite booth guy and he told me the same thing. Except he is out of touch on his reasoning because here in Quartzsite Lemon Rally with 50+ coaches, there are two Foretravels with PowerTech generators putting out 166 volts and 144 volts. I would say he is not informed.

That said it looks like if we want to protect against high generator voltage the EMS must be installed between generator & transfer switch or between transfer switch & main breaker panel.

And if want to protect against shore power problems hurting our coach electronics, we need to install the EMS between shore power cable & transfer switch or between transfer switch & main breaker panel.

And if we want to protect against shore power problems that can back-feed to generator and damage generator, EMS must be installed between shore power cable & transfer switch.

It seems to me that it is all personal choice as no one solution will cover all three issues, so there is no one correct answer. I am considering in spending another $330 to install a second EMS between shore & transfer switch as it seems like good insurance. We currently have our EMS between transfer switch and main breaker and it just saved our coach from problems from our generator's 166 volts, which is my first choice location based upon personal experience. We do check volts & polarity before plugging in so we will catch a pedestal with a consistent problem."****

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #15
Tommy, because both your voltages were high, it is the regulator. When one high and one low can be a bad neutral or a bad monitor.
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: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #16
Thanks craneman!  I w for sure be in touch about what to do and not to do when I get back to the coach.  Appreciate the help! 

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #17
Tommy, love the animation!
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #18
Olde English,
That was inspired by kenhat's sig line. I thought I needed some emojis and went searching for them.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #19
Changed Voltage Regulator was $346 shipped from Powertech.  Access to mine was a bear. Close confined space with about 2" of clearance above panel.  Had to remove 5 screws from the top of the generator panel.  This was not the only time it had been replaced since 1 screw was missing.  Seems like they would have made this item more accessible if it needs to be replaced. Ran for 10m and all was good. Will monitor when I use it.

Couldn't have done it without this angled Phillips tool.

https://www.autozone.com/screwdrivers/screwdriver/wilmar-offset-screwdriver-set-2-piece/96848_0_0?spps.s=488&cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:TLS:71700000060668368&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzKWut7ux6AIVGuDICh1NCAXZEAQYASABEgLDQ_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #20
Doesn't your generator pull out?
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #21

Yes,  the picture shown is pulled out.  Only allows you better access to the front screw but the door above only allows about 3" clearance

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #22
Good to hear you made the repair Tommy!  Yes, it's a bear to get to as the generator on ours just doesn't come out far enough.  Thank God for offset Phillips drivers and plug and play voltage reg!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Any ideas why generator does this

Reply #23
Great job.  I have this ratcheting driver that works great for tight spots like this:
Kobalt 4-Piece Steel Handle Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver Set at Lowes.com
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell