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Topic: Generator Fan Breaker tripping (Read 545 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator Fan Breaker tripping

My generator fan breaker is tripping. Here's the situation.

When generator starts the fan is on but at a slower than normal speed, and then after about 15-30 seconds the breaker pops.

My question is, could that still be the breaker? Or could my fan be on the way out and it's creating an unwanted load therefore the breaker trips.

I'm leaving on a trip here in a couple days so I don't know how easily available that breaker is, but I would definitely try to replace that first before I dig any deeper. Do you think an auto parts store may have that breaker? I haven't pulled the generator out to get to the control box yet
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #1 –
Have you changed the starting condenser

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #2 –
If you can try spinning the fan with your finger and see if it spins free.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dsd –
Have you changed the starting condenser

I have not, are those something I can get locally. Will it cause the fan to run at partial speed? Then pop the breaker?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #5 –
As far as I know, these fans are only one speed correct? Not variable based on temp of Genny?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #6 –
Quote from: dsd –
Have you changed the starting condenser

Scott most likely mint capacitor and they are available at most any electrical part store in most ant biger town.

Now that breaker should be an "A" series breaker. I carry a Blue Sea 7241 as a spare. You can use any maker as long as it is a double pole120/240vac breaker.  One of theses are going to have to be gotten from some place like Dig-i-key, Allied, or some other electrical supply company. I have found these on eBay but you have to hunt as they aren't just everywhere.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Scott most likely mint capacitor and they are available at most any electrical part store in most ant biger town.

Now that breaker should be an "A" series breaker. I carry a Blue Sea 7241 as a spare. You can use any maker as long as it is a double pole120/240vac breaker.  One of theses are going to have to be gotten from some place like Dig-i-key, Allied, or some other electrical supply company. I have found these on eBay but you have to hunt as they aren't just everywhere.

Mike

Thanks, are we talking about the same breaker, the one I'm talking about has a pop out button on the front of the control box...or does the 7241 connect to the button on the inside. I've never had that control box open so not sure.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #8 –
I had the same problem, replaced the push button breaker on the front panel, problem solved.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
I had the same problem, replaced the push button breaker on the front panel, problem solved.
You don't happen to have a part number for that?
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #10 –
I thought that you were talking about the main breaker as that is where the fan motor gets it's power from. As Lon stated it could be the push button breaker.  Now does your generator have 2 of those breakers?  One for the fan motor and the other for the excitor. I have found those breakers on boat parts sites.
Here is the one that our generator uses https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/qualtek/QLB-103-11B3N-3BA/1963958 But I have an account with these people so shop around for the best price.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #11 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
You don't happen to have a part number for that?

Mike was the one who accurately diagnosed my problem and recommended this replacement.
Siemens W23-X1A1G-10 Circuit Breaker push pull 10 amp panel mount New
Siemens W23-X1A1G-10 Circuit Breaker push pull 10 amp panel mount New    
   
Total: $21.10
Order number: 12-07621-34689
Item ID: 143542545611

The breaker solved the problem. I was NOT happy with seller on Ebay. He advertised the maker as Siemans but the breaker is NOT a Siemans but an off brand. The seller said he did not know that, UNACCEPTABLE.
Seller: onlythe30s
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #12 –
Mike,

It looks like I only have one of the button type breakers not 2...on the outside of the control box anyway...I'll see if I can get one here by Sat...maybe try a boat shop locally, though I live in a smaller town

I also just noticed I don't have a fuse in the exciter slot, wonder if I should? Pretty sure there was never a fuse there and the generator has always worked fine.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
Mike was the one who accurately diagnosed my problem and recommended this replacement.
Siemens W23-X1A1G-10 Circuit Breaker push pull 10 amp panel mount New
Siemens W23-X1A1G-10 Circuit Breaker push pull 10 amp panel mount New    
   
Total: $21.10
Order number: 12-07621-34689
Item ID: 143542545611

The breaker solved the problem. I was NOT happy with seller on Ebay. He advertised the maker as Siemans but the breaker is NOT a Siemans but an off brand. The seller said he did not know that, UNACCEPTABLE.
Seller: onlythe30s
Thanks for the info
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #14 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
I also just noticed I don't have a fuse in the exciter slot, wonder if I should?

On older P/T generators that fuse are 2.5 to 5 amp fuse to protect the windings. Someone may have continued to blow that fuse and have jump it on the back side. If it was mine I would be doing some hunting to see why there isn't a fuse in there and see if it can be fixed. With no protection it could lighten the load in your billfold.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #15 –
Here's the fan breaker, probably not working...can't find the broken piece in the box.🤷

Since I'm leaving tomorrow I had to call around and the closest thing I could find was this from Napa.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7823043

Hopefully that I'll work...
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #16 –
Perhaps a non-question, since I have not worked on generators with remote fans, but make sure the breaker is for the same voltage as the fan (120 VAC vs 12 VDC).
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: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #17 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Perhaps a non-question, since I have not worked on generators with remote fans, but make sure the breaker is for the same voltage as the fan (120 VAC vs 12 VDC).
I'm also worried about that, I can't find any voltage specs for that napa breaker...even the guy behind the conter couldn't track it down and I'm worried this is for a car...so 12v.

I guess a coud just go to home Depot and hopefully find a 240v 10.amp breaker without the reset button and just set it in the box for this trip, then order the correct one.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #18 –
Never mind, looks like this has the same parameters as the old one, though it's about half the size but maybe 20 years of technology has condensed it.

I'm rolling with it
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS
 

Re: Generator Fan Breaker tripping

Reply #19 –
Just to wrap this up...the circuit breaker from napa fixed the fan issue. I'll give it a good test this week while we're out in the desert dry camping.
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS