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Old 10-11-2017, 02:47   #1
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Help! Generator only producing 310V

Hi all-

We had a mechanic take apart our M643 Northern Lights generator today to fix a leaking rear main seal. After putting it back together again we flipped it on to test it and things were fine for about 10 seconds and then the voltage dropped out. We looked into the electrical connection box and noticed the fuse on the AVR had blown. The mechanic said "oh" and basically said that he had probably done that by touching the brushes (or something) with a screwdriver and caused a short. After replacing the fuse, the generator now only produces 310v AC (was originally configured for 230v). The "hand trimmer" adjustment doesn't do anything to change the voltage. Anyone have any thoughts? Did the fuse not protect the AVR and is it now blown?

Luckily we are in a remote part of Indonesia where spares are easily obtained... Not.

Cheers- Matt
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Old 10-11-2017, 09:41   #2
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Go online to «*Northern Lights*»
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Old 10-11-2017, 09:51   #3
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

This should help.

http://www.marathonelectric.com/gene...als/SP0022.pdf
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Old 10-11-2017, 10:13   #4
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Do you mean 110 V ?
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Old 10-11-2017, 10:39   #5
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Sounds like the voltage regulator isn't voltage regulating ...
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Old 10-11-2017, 11:09   #6
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

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Originally Posted by TreblePlink View Post
Sounds like the voltage regulator isn't voltage regulating ...
Yep, sounds like a dead or disconnected voltage regulator.
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Old 10-11-2017, 13:33   #7
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Unfortunately Northernlights doesn't have info on how to trouble shoot the AVR (voltage regulator). The PDFs JayH linked to is very good, but also doesn't address the situation where there is a constant over voltage of 310V.

I was hoping that someone might have had this experience before and knew that it was the AVR or perhaps knew that a certain part of the AVR was involved. We're trying to
locate a new AVR, but that may prove tricky. And, of course, today is cloudy for the first time in weeks so the solar won't be doing much good!
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Old 10-11-2017, 13:59   #8
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Quote:
Originally Posted by teneicm View Post
Unfortunately Northernlights doesn't have info on how to trouble shoot the AVR (voltage regulator). The PDFs JayH linked to is very good, but also doesn't address the situation where there is a constant over voltage of 310V.

I was hoping that someone might have had this experience before and knew that it was the AVR or perhaps knew that a certain part of the AVR was involved. We're trying to
locate a new AVR, but that may prove tricky. And, of course, today is cloudy for the first time in weeks so the solar won't be doing much good!
The only reason your generator would be sending out high voltage would be due to the regulator not working properly, or not being connected.

Since your generator's engine was recently serviced, I would check the connections and wiring between the regulator and generator first. The problem could be as simple as a loose/broken wire or connector. If this does not prove to be the issue, then it is likely that the regulator is faulty and will require replacement.

(Personal Opinion - if the regulator is deemed faulty, and NOT under warranty, then I would open it up and check to see if the regulator shows something easily corrected, i.e.: blown capacitor, resistor, internal fuse, faulty solder joint, etc. This assumes that the regulator is not the type that has been sealed in epoxy.)
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Old 11-11-2017, 12:08   #9
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Did anyone notice Bean Counter's question? "Do you mean 110 V?" Did anyone answer Bean Counter's question? No. The 310 volts is an obvious typo but everyone just went off on a tangent about voltage regulators, etc. This is how this forum gets so screwed up. We have a couple of expressions in the airline business when this kind of confusion develops: RTFQ which means READ THE F...... QUESTION and RTFM or READ THE F...... MANUAL.

I'd say the mechanic blew the fuse with his screw driver,which has nothing to do with the unit putting 110 V, and then hooked the output up to the wrong generator tap.
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Old 11-11-2017, 12:14   #10
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

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Did anyone notice Bean Counter's question? "Do you mean 110 V?" Did anyone answer Bean Counter's question? No. The 310 volts is an obvious typo but everyone just went off on a tangent about voltage regulators, etc. This is how this forum gets so screwed up. We have a couple of expressions in the airline business when this kind of confusion develops: RTFQ which means READ THE F...... QUESTION and RTFM or READ THE F...... MANUAL.

I'd say the mechanic blew the fuse with his screw driver,which has nothing to do with the unit putting 110 V, and then hooked the output up to the wrong generator tap.

The OP gave a model number of his generator, which is a 230V genset, and even the volatage. Unregulated, it can put out 310V. It is not a typo.
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Old 11-11-2017, 13:21   #11
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmschmidt View Post
Did anyone notice Bean Counter's question? "Do you mean 110 V?" Did anyone answer Bean Counter's question? No. The 310 volts is an obvious typo but everyone just went off on a tangent about voltage regulators, etc. This is how this forum gets so screwed up. We have a couple of expressions in the airline business when this kind of confusion develops: RTFQ which means READ THE F...... QUESTION and RTFM or READ THE F...... MANUAL.

I'd say the mechanic blew the fuse with his screw driver,which has nothing to do with the unit putting 110 V, and then hooked the output up to the wrong generator tap.
Post#7 states constant overvoltage of 310 volts. This info would have done well in post #1.
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Old 11-11-2017, 13:42   #12
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

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Post#7 states constant overvoltage of 310 volts. This info would have done well in post #1.
It is stated clearly in post #1
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Old 11-11-2017, 15:26   #13
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

Post #1 says "...now only produces 310V..." - so a little ambiguous as it could be taken to mean less than 230V, which is why I asked the question.. he cleared it up on post 7 though using the word "over voltage".. not a big deal ... and probably the regulator is stuffed or genny over reving maybe. New regulator is $670 - ouch!
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Old 12-11-2017, 06:41   #14
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

First I would check the RPM's at No Load and with a Heavy Load and see what the voltages are. Also check the cycles with a proper meter. If your genset has a computer board like mine then there may be a POT that allows the adjustment of the output.
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Old 12-11-2017, 08:55   #15
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Re: Help! Generator only producing 310V

If your going to put a load on it, let me recommend you do so with inexpensive, replaceable devices, like maybe space heaters. I would not connect anything expensive with voltage that high
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