No generator

Topic: No generator (Read 6931 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: No generator

Reply #75 – December 08, 2020, 10:20:05 pm

Mike
Should I pull the gen and open the box?

Re: No generator

Reply #76 – December 09, 2020, 03:11:17 am

Have you tried 'jumping" the battery cable directly to the starter lug?
Have you tried to move the solenoid lever manually?

What is the condition of the battery cable ends?
What is the condition of the ground connections?

The source of the clicking sound can be found by using your hand (touchy-feely) or using a screwdriver as a stethoscope.

It is possible that getting the starter to crank will start the engine until the fuel supply is interrupted.

Tim

Re: No generator

Reply #77 – December 09, 2020, 07:15:05 am

Quote from: GleamB – December 08, 2020, 10:20:05 pm

Should I pull the gen and open the box?

Glenn,

I am pretty sure you are going to end up pulling the generator out on the slide to trouble shoot both the control electronics and getting to the backside of the generator to access the starter and related wiring.

Mike

Re: No generator

Reply #78 – December 09, 2020, 08:45:46 am

Quote from: GleamB – December 08, 2020, 10:20:05 pm

Mike
Should I pull the gen and open the box?

That would be yes*, and yes you can run the engine with the exhaust pipe disconnected, without doing damage to anything except your hearing.

*It's the next step, a necessary step, to trouble shoot your problem.

Re: No generator

Reply #79 – December 09, 2020, 12:57:16 pm

Getting my mojo up to pull the generator.
Before I do, there is a new "wrinkle" in my electrical sphere that may, or not, be related.
First off....I was at 100% SOC this morning and 14.1v, according to Magnum and Victron monitors.
Second, I went to turn off my main breaker at the foot of the bed, as I did, everyday, last year, to run off inverter and 360 w solar, to save $$$ on the high priced electricity at our RV park. No problems, last year.
This morning, I flipped the main breaker off, but my display STILL SHOWED 120 in each leg. Inverter wouldn't work. I went outside and flipped off the main at the pedestal, and was able to get inverter on, BUT power WASN'T getting to my outlets!!??
Sooo............something' ain't right. Sure hope the two issues, ( generator) and this aren't related. I'm entering the DARK ZONE.

Re: No generator

Reply #80 – December 09, 2020, 02:07:11 pm

Does the inverter have a delay and did you wait for it?

Re: No generator

Reply #81 – December 09, 2020, 02:43:56 pm

Not sure about a delay
I just tried this, again
When I flip the main, the display shows I still have 120 into both legs. I DON'T. Outlets are dead.
I press inverter button on Magnum.....nothing to outlets
Something ain't right, but I don't know where to look
Transfer switch?
Let's remember the generator thing
Never had this problem before

Re: No generator

Reply #82 – December 09, 2020, 03:40:59 pm

Maybe a GFCI breaker(s) is tripped.

Re: No generator

Reply #83 – December 09, 2020, 04:17:18 pm

GFI outlet tripped in the bath room? Do you have power to everything when plugged into the power pole. If so you need to get a meter out and see if you have 12v in to the inverter, if not blown fuse on the feed to the inverter. If you have 12v going in to the inverter, see if you have 120v coming out at the inverter, if not tripped breaker at the inverter, bad inverter. If you have 120v coming out of the inverter then with your meter check and see if you have power at transfer sw at the foot of the bed, you will have to open the transfer sw to check.

Re: No generator

Reply #84 – December 09, 2020, 04:18:38 pm

As T-Man said check your GFCI outlets. One in btahroom by sink, red reset button.

Re: No generator

Reply #85 – December 09, 2020, 04:26:36 pm

Not the GFI
When I go back to utility pole, everything works fine.
WHY does my meter show 120 each leg AFTER I flip the MAIN breaker??

Re: No generator

Reply #86 – December 09, 2020, 04:48:29 pm

Thought I posted something
Don't see it
Anyway.... control box is now open
Three relays. First two look like what I'm supposed to swap
Here goes....

Re: No generator

Reply #87 – December 09, 2020, 05:04:38 pm

Is there a "trick" to removing the relays
Wiggling them and trying to pull up on them
Won't budge
There are five prongs on them?
They carry juice, so don't want to short anything out
Need some help guys

Re: No generator

Reply #88 – December 09, 2020, 05:20:41 pm

At this point with the relays right there I would have the wife try and start the generator and make sure one of those 3 is the one
clicking.

Re: No generator

Reply #89 – December 09, 2020, 05:37:32 pm

Quote from: GleamB – December 09, 2020, 05:04:38 pm

Is there a "trick" to removing the relays
Wiggling them and trying to pull up on them
Won't budge
There are five prongs on them?

There is a screwdriver pry slot on the relay base the problem is those relays are in backwards to each other. What that means is you can get to one of the pry slots and not the other. I have always been able to wiggle them back and forth to get them to come loose.

Yes 5 prongs.

While in there whack on that latching relay. It is what looks like a step pyramid. Push the button on it to see if it is stuck. This is what makes the 3 start switches work.

Mike

Re: No generator

Reply #90 – December 09, 2020, 06:43:19 pm

Switched relays
Same clicking at fuel pump?
White switch seems to work....same as the toggle in front of box
OK
Next?

Re: No generator

Reply #91 – December 09, 2020, 06:53:42 pm

Glenn,

The fuel pump is in your 2nd pic. It is the round metal cylinder. Feel of it and make sure that is where the clicking is coming from. Then check the backside of the generator housing to see if you can get to the backside of the generator motor. That is where the starter is located. there you can check the wires and whack is with a hammer to see if you can jar it to life.

Mike

Re: No generator

Reply #92 – December 09, 2020, 06:54:54 pm

I'll look for the starter

Re: No generator

Reply #93 – December 09, 2020, 07:05:23 pm

I cannot see a starter
Wha am I missing?

Re: No generator

Reply #94 – December 09, 2020, 07:13:22 pm

Well that looks like the quiet box will have to be taken apart to get to the backside of the engine and starter. Exactly how yours come apart would be a guess for me. It looks like there are several bolts that will have to be removed and then somehow the cover may come out.

Make sure that those 2 battery cables are clean and tight to start with. Make sure you have battery voltage at the + and - cables right at those 2 post.

Mike

Re: No generator

Reply #95 – December 09, 2020, 10:03:18 pm

Glenn,

IMO, everything you mention (generator won't start, inverter not working) leads to a 12V house power problem at the panel. If your house batteries are good, try checking for 12V at the distribution panel in the second bay, front left side. Maybe a bad/loose connection where the battery cables connect, or a tripped breaker. Also make sure the salesman switch in the step well is turned on...though, this shouldn't effect the inverter.

Greg

EDIT: Deleted incorrect, and repeated information.

Re: No generator

Reply #96 – December 09, 2020, 10:13:04 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 09, 2020, 07:13:22 pm

Well that looks like the quiet box will have to be taken apart to get to the backside of the engine and starter. Exactly how yours come apart would be a guess for me. It looks like there are several bolts that will have to be removed and then somehow the cover may come out.

Make sure that those 2 battery cables are clean and tight to start with. Make sure you have battery voltage at the + and - cables right at those 2 post.

Mike

The starter can be accessed, as Mike says, from the back. You'll want to remove the left panel. Before doing this, remove and insulate the "BATT POSS" cable so you don't short out that cable when removing the panel. There's 1 screw near the coolant fitting that you'll need a 7/16 open end wrench. The rest are fairly easy to get to.

BTW, I missed the last sentence in Mikes last post....sorry to repeat the good advice.

Re: No generator

Reply #97 – December 10, 2020, 09:04:07 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 09, 2020, 07:13:22 pm

Make sure you have battery voltage at the + and - cables right at those 2 post.

Mike

And herein lies the rub with a modern high impedance voltmeter.* You need to put some stress on the cables when you measure the voltage. A light bulb is nice, but the engine starter is better. Using your jumper cable is o-kay, just clip the negative to the starter body and push the positive to the power lug on the starter. Should be a big spark and the sound of an engine turning.

Unless you load the circuit leakage current will make you think all is good.

For the other U320 owners I have to ask: Where are the great big breakers, which are in our U225, hidden in the battery compartment?

Re: No generator

Reply #98 – December 10, 2020, 10:49:21 am

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – December 10, 2020, 09:04:07 am

And herein lies the rub with a modern high impedance voltmeter.* You need to put some stress on the cables when you measure the voltage. A light bulb is nice, but the engine starter is better. Using your jumper cable is o-kay, just clip the negative to the starter body and push the positive to the power lug on the starter. Should be a big spark and the sound of an engine turning.

Unless you load the circuit leakage current will make you thing all is good.

For the other U320 owners I have to ask: Where are the great big breakers, which are in our U225, hidden in the battery compartment?

They are mounted to the generator control panel on my '99

Re: No generator

Reply #99 – December 10, 2020, 11:05:01 am

Gleam,if you can try and "facetime" with one of us so we can hear the clicking sound maybe that would help.

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