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Old 10-04-2018, 14:03   #1
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Generator AVR

My generator has a capacitor for voltage control and when loaded the voltage drops a lot. Does anyone know it it is reasonally possible to change it to an AVR or even a manual one?
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Old 11-04-2018, 04:47   #2
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Re: Generator AVR

No one, on an electrical question?
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Old 11-04-2018, 06:32   #3
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Re: Generator AVR

What type of generator?

Several AVR's are available off the rack. I am in the process of changing out an aftermarket AVR in a Westerbeke 8kw that has become intermittent when it heats up. Just 2 120v wires, 2 field wires, no big deal, but you need an AVR that matches your field voltage range. The field voltage on that unit is in the 10-12v range. Marathons are more like 60-70v.

PM me and I'll give you the phone no of a guy in Miami who can probably get you the right one.
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Old 11-04-2018, 09:53   #4
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Re: Generator AVR

It’s a Lombardini LMG4000. I think I’m the US test case of this thing even through I’ve had it two years now. I asked the distributor how to increase the voltage and they said to speed it up. But ti speed it up more than it is now I would need to remove it and modify the linkage for the throttle.
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Old 11-04-2018, 12:08   #5
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Re: Generator AVR

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It’s a Lombardini LMG4000. I think I’m the US test case of this thing even through I’ve had it two years now. I asked the distributor how to increase the voltage and they said to speed it up. But ti speed it up more than it is now I would need to remove it and modify the linkage for the throttle.


If your frequency is low, it may need to be sped up. But if it’s holding steady @ 60hz there should be no reason to speed it up. Have you checked the cap with a meter to be sure that the cap value is what the label on the cap says it is?
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Old 12-04-2018, 04:45   #6
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Re: Generator AVR

I notice it does a better job of holding voltage if on a resistance load (water heater) than on a reactive load (the air conditioner) even though both are about the same wattage.
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Old 26-05-2018, 16:53   #7
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Re: Generator AVR

So right now I’m running the generator powering the air conditioner and battery charger. It’s running about 1/2 rated load but the voltage is hanging at 99V. Even though I just got a mew battery charger partly for this problem, it still doesn’t like this.

So bumping the question again as I try to dig through the Internet info.
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Old 26-05-2018, 19:04   #8
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Re: Generator AVR

What is your output frequency when the voltage is in the 99volt range?
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Old 27-05-2018, 04:18   #9
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Re: Generator AVR

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What is your output frequency when the voltage is in the 99volt range?
don't know
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Old 27-05-2018, 04:27   #10
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Re: Generator AVR

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don't know
I suggest that you should keep an eye on frequency.

A pair of panel meters showing hz, v, and a is a good investment of $80 or so (https://www.ebay.com/p/Yeeco-Digital...d=292579049615). One on power into the I/C and one for power out.

Alternatively, most mid market multimeters will give you hz.
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Old 27-05-2018, 05:29   #11
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Re: Generator AVR

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don't know


You really need to measure the frequency before doing any other repairs/mods. If the generator is only turning 50hz. The low voltage would make sense.
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Old 27-05-2018, 05:47   #12
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Re: Generator AVR

In a standard (not an inverter type) generator, the speed controls the frequency and field voltage/current controls the output voltage. So the suggestion to check the frequency is a good one. If it's low, adjust the governor. And as has been stated, many decent multi-meters have a frequency function.
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Old 27-05-2018, 05:53   #13
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Re: Generator AVR

The engine speed is at its max setting. It originally is a 50hz unit and the only way to speed it up I would need to remove the unit to be able to get to to the linkage well enough to modify it.
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Old 27-05-2018, 05:59   #14
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Re: Generator AVR

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The engine speed is at its max setting. It originally is a 50hz unit and the only way to speed it up I would need to remove the unit to be able to get to to the linkage well enough to modify it.


Do you have a photo tach? All you need to know is if the engine is spinning 3600 rpm when you are experiencing low voltage.
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Old 27-05-2018, 06:30   #15
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Re: Generator AVR

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Do you have a photo tach? All you need to know is if the engine is spinning 3600 rpm when you are experiencing low voltage.
No but I could get one.

But

If I run the water heater and the battery charger together off the generator the voltage will be 105-109. But with the air conditioner and battery charger it drops to less than 100. Yet each of these is the same loaded amps and this to me suggests it isn’t a speed issue, it’s a voltage regulation circuit issue.
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