| Onan High VAC output - 160V [message #195033] |
Mon, 07 January 2013 07:19  |
75realsteel
Messages: 26
Registered: December 2012
Location: Chicago
Karma: 0
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I'm experiencing a problem with the AC output of my generator. When I measure the output at no load I am reading between 160 and 170 volts AC.
I first tried replacing the Bridge Rectifier, but I'm seeing the same readings after the replacement.
Does anyone have any experience with this to offer any suggestions? The manual mentions that if the voltage is high the compounding reactor may be defective? Is this something I can get to/check with the generator in the vehicle?
Some background: I have recently replaced the control board to get the generator running (the old one was fried by the PO when trying to start the generator after getting it very wet). After replacing the control board, the generator fired right up for me and seemed like it was working fine. I had my cordless drill charger plugged into one of the outlets and it was charging without issue for about 10 minutes or so - then I noticed that it was no longer charging and that the generator sounded as if it was no longer under a load - that's when I measured the output voltage and found it to be high. As mentioned above, I decided to first change the BR, but that doesn't seem to have helped.
thanks for any suggestions,
Kevin
75 EleganzaII
Chicago
'77 Kingsley 26 - Chicago, IL
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| Re: [GMCnet] Onan High VAC output - 160V [message #195041 is a reply to message #195035] |
Mon, 07 January 2013 08:30  |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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If it helps, at about the 3 minute mark I start up my Onan and start
adjusting the nut that Mr. Stora is talking about. Counterclockwise
slows the engine down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJwbqp1Dx0k
On Mon, Jan 7, 2013 at 7:51 AM, Emery Stora <emerystora@mac.com> wrote:
> Assuming nothing else is wrong the voltage is directly proportional to the speed. Did you try adjusting the govenor? That is the nut at the end of the spring. Loosen it to slow down the generator. You want about 128 volts at no load.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick CO
>
> On Jan 7, 2013, at 6:19 AM, Kevin <75realsteel@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I'm experiencing a problem with the AC output of my generator. When I measure the output at no load I am reading between 160 and 170 volts AC.
>> I first tried replacing the Bridge Rectifier, but I'm seeing the same readings after the replacement.
>>
>> Does anyone have any experience with this to offer any suggestions? The manual mentions that if the voltage is high the compounding reactor may be defective? Is this something I can get to/check with the generator in the vehicle?
>>
>> Some background: I have recently replaced the control board to get the generator running (the old one was fried by the PO when trying to start the generator after getting it very wet). After replacing the control board, the generator fired right up for me and seemed like it was working fine. I had my cordless drill charger plugged into one of the outlets and it was charging without issue for about 10 minutes or so - then I noticed that it was no longer charging and that the generator sounded as if it was no longer under a load - that's when I measured the output voltage and found it to be high. As mentioned above, I decided to first change the BR, but that doesn't seem to have helped.
>>
>> thanks for any suggestions,
>> Kevin
>> 75 EleganzaII
>> Chicago
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--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2003 Buick Lesabre
1968 Pontiac Catalina
1978 GMC Royale motorhome
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome
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| Re: Onan High VAC output - 160V [message #195049 is a reply to message #195047] |
Mon, 07 January 2013 11:37 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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As a quick check, if the voltage is high from running to fast, the frequency will also be high. If you have a meter that reads frequency (my cheapie Sears on does), read the frequency while you are at 160 volts.
When adjusting the voltage down by the governor, the frequency will also come down to 60 or 61 cycles when you reach 128 volts.
Good Luck
Ken B.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Onan High VAC output - 160V [message #195509 is a reply to message #195490] |
Mon, 14 January 2013 11:13 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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| 75realsteel wrote on Mon, 14 January 2013 05:38 |
Thanks for the feedback.
Finally got some time to get back out and check the voltage/frequency and you guys were right - I need to get the speed properly set as both were high.
I let it run for 15 minutes or so and disconnected the load. I first tried adjusting the idle needle but got little to no response there. I then adjusted the main needle down as low as I could reasonably go and then adjusted the governor back off. I'm now getting closer to 128 volts without a load and a frequency around 60. However, I am now getting some "hunting" when a load is connected, so I know I need to spend more time tuning it.
I should probably just start from the ground up and check/replace the points/condensor and rebuild the carb as I'm not sure the condition of either.....but at least I'm satisfied with the cause of the high voltage, and I've got a new Bridge Rectifier 
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If you remember where the high and low were I would put them back as they were probably pretty close. (we always forget, but counting turns when fiddling is good if you decide to return to original. If you are like me you may not have done that.
The following is not from the manual, just what works for me.
I would revisit the idle screw. Do this under no load. (sometimes called high speed idle) If the idle is too lean then the engine begins to falter, RPMs drop and only when the throttle is open enough to get lots of gas from the high speed does it recover. Of course it goes too high in rpms and over corrects toward low (idle jet) speed.
For the high speed I would adjust under no load- high speed idle. Turn it in until it starts to falter. ( if the low speed is too lean it will die) open it a bit to get rid of the falter. Let it settle in a bit. Then grab the throttle/governor and goose it a bit... a quick burst. If it coughs it is still to lean. You don't want a cough when the AC comes on.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: Onan High VAC output - 160V [message #195512 is a reply to message #195509] |
Mon, 14 January 2013 11:30 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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[quote title=George Beckman wrote on Mon, 14 January 2013 09:13][quote
I would revisit the idle screw. Do this under no load. (sometimes called high speed idle) If the idle is too lean then the engine begins to falter, RPMs drop and only when the throttle is open enough to get lots of gas from the high speed does it recover. Of course it goes too high in rpms and over corrects toward low (idle jet) speed.
on.[/quote]
I may have not been clear about the idle jet screw. It is not an idle air jet like on a car. This is the actual gas circuit for low speed. In is lean... out is rich.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: Onan High VAC output - 160V [message #208464 is a reply to message #208449] |
Tue, 21 May 2013 12:31 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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| 75realsteel wrote on Tue, 21 May 2013 05:21 |
The battery charger I was referring to was an Inteli-Power converter/charger that doesn't seem to be working anymore - likely as a result of blowing 160V A/C into it while I was trying to figure this all out 
I do still have the Onan battery charger connected - which has come in handy given the lack of the Inteli-Power charger.
Thanks John - yes, I do still need to get back and lubricate the throttle and governor linkage. Now that it's running nice, I'd like to keep it that way.
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That Intili-Power charger/converter should be fuse protected. Have you checked the fuses? It might not need to be replaced.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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