1993 U300 Generator issue

December 10, 2022, 09:10:01 pm

For the last year or two we've been dealing with a generator issue. The generator used to power both rooftop air conditioners, the refrigerator, and the computer while going down the road. Then it got to where it wouldn't power the air conditioners. It started to, but would shut down after a period of time, so we just traveled earlier in the day. Powering the refrigerator and confuser were no problem. It would handle both a/c units while sitting in the MOT lot, though. At the suggestion of others, I got some spray cleaner and sprayed the radiator, let it sit a bit, then hosed it off, at least as much as I could get to. No real help.

Last month I asked MOT to fix it. They cleaned out the old insulation and installed new. They replaced the fuel solenoid and starter (starter was dead). The generator ran fine, powering both a/c units in their shop. On the way back to The Ranch, though, it quit running after a couple of hours. No big deal at that point, since we were close to our stopping point. The next travel day, though, it quit after only a few minutes, so we used the inverter to power things. Again, we didn't need the a/c.

Yesterday I finally had some time to tear into it to figure out what was going on. Tom B. came over (he has a lot across the street from us) and we started poking and prodding. Found a problem: no fan belt. That was strange because I watched a mechanic install one a few weeks earlier. A bit more hunting and I found the fan belt, only it was just along piece of rubber, not round, and kind of wadded up. Got it out and found the PowerTech manual. Took the manual to the parts store and came home with a new belt. Tom came over again and we started putting everything back together.

After the last bolt was tightened, and just before I hit the start button, Tom asked if I had checked the tension pulley to see if it turned. I hadn't, and asked him if he had. He hadn't, either, so we took a few bolts out, got the belt loose, and tried the pulley. No movement! I'm starting to see what may have been the problem. A little more effort and I got the pulley all the way out. A picture is attached. We'll go to church early tomorrow and stop by the parts place to see if they have a replacement.

I suspect that a new pulley, with properly functioning bearing, will help the generator.

Re: 1993 U300 Generator issue

Reply #1 – December 10, 2022, 09:22:55 pm

You might have trouble to find the part, hopefully not but the bearing should be easy to find
and just put in a new bearing.

Re: 1993 U300 Generator issue

Reply #2 – December 10, 2022, 11:17:45 pm

I agree with peter, the bearing is much easier to source. Find a large socket or pipe fitting just larger than the bearing to support it and drive it out. Don't use the outer part of the assembly to support it or it will break. When installing the new bearing put it in the freezer for a few hours and the housing in the oven on high for 10 minutes or so and the bearing will just drop in.

Re: 1993 U300 Generator issue

Reply #3 – December 11, 2022, 02:21:26 pm

Same thing happened to us a few years back. Geny belt tensioner froze up. Geny was heating up and shutting down. Guess it wasn't spinning the fan fast enough. Embarrassed that I didn't notice.
We were able to purchase the belt and the tensioner from power tech, just took a week or two to get it.

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