Generac generator help needed

[Toby]

Hi all,
I have a Generac SP 5000 generator. It's model 09528-0 120/240 volts and
rated at 41.7/20.8 amps. It has less than 40 hours of use. It has a low
oil level safety shut off and individual circuit breakers. It worked
fantastic until I loaned it to a freind to go camping in a trailer. He
said that it started right up but did not ever generate any electricity.
He told me that the trailer was already plugged in when he started it. We
estimate that the trailer would draw a max of about 15 amps 120 volt. I
have pulled the cover off and tested all the wiring up to the point of
entry into the actual generator part. I then pulled the rear cover off the
generator and I don't see anything that is obviously burnt or shorted out.
I don't know what to check next, or "how" for that matter. I'm an auto
mechanic by trade so I have a good basic understanding of electrical wiring
but I've never worked on a generator before. This generator is my power
source when I go out for a roadside service calls and I really don't want
to have to pay someone for something I could do myself. Anybody out there
have any ideas of what could be wrong or what I should check next???

Thanks in advance
Toby

[Perry Vale]

I suspect that when your friend started the generator with load already
connected, it demagnetized the generator. If it's like my 5000w
Campbell-Hausfield generator, it has no active voltage regulation in it
other than a small winding that is 'kicked' with a capacitor to keep the
excitation going. What you are probably going to have to do is 'flash'
12vdc across the output 120 or 240 volt output for just a second to put
some remanent magnetism back into the generator's core. When I say
'flash' means to just brush the 12v across the output wires. Good luck.

Perry Vale <pv...@REMOVETHISmidusa.net>

[Toby]

Thanks Perry,

Sounds just like having to polarize the old automotive generators before
installing them. It never crossed my mind that it could be de-energized.
Come to think of it there is a warning on it to never start under load.
I'll give it a shock tomorrow.

Toby

Perry Vale <pv...@midusa.net> wrote in article
<379E8625...@midusa.net>...

[Donald MacCarthy]

I know it sounds foolish, but have you checked the GFI outlet? (assuming it
has one, of course)

Toby <dakot...@psnw.com> wrote in message
news:01bed85b$54e267e0$0df7...@dakotasams.psnw.com...

[Pavel Valershteyn]

On Tue, 27 Jul 1999 18:10:19 GMT, "Toby" <dakot...@psnw.com> wrote:

>Hi all,
>I have a Generac SP 5000 generator... It worked

>fantastic until I loaned it to a freind to go camping in a trailer. He
>said that it started right up but did not ever generate any electricity.

It may be problem with field coil or with field current, and most
probably in your case with the voltage regulator.
Before the all tests disconnect the output wires from the connection
terminals (put on the marks on the wires before disconnection).
Try to determine the voltage regulator - it should be separate plate
or box. You can find them by tracking of the field wires. They come
directly from voltage regulator to the field coil connection
terminals. Check in the regulator - there should be the safety switch
or fuse. Check them , switch on the switch or change the fuse ,
start the engine and check the output voltage. It should be everything
OK.

[Randy Elliott]

As perry Vale said, sounds like it has been demagnetized. Generac probably
has a procedure for remagnetizing the core. Give their tech support people
a call.
------------
Randall Elliott
The views expressed are not those of GN Nettest
...but they will be soon...
Remove my spamguards to reply by e-mail.
[Feel free to steal and modify the following sig. I did!]
And for you automated email spammers out there,
here's some nice addresses for you:
rep.eliza...@mail.house.gov
sen...@wyden.senate.gov
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u...@ftc.gov

[Fred]

Try exciting it.... No not that way silly, like this:

Remove the plastic cover over the two brushes that contact the slip ring on
the rotating field. With the generator not running... Apply 12vdc from a
car battery or charger to these brushes for a couple of seconds.

After you apply the 12vdc to the brushes, remove the power and start the
generator... see if it puts out any power.

Unless there is a burned diode, open capacitor or other winding /
electrical problem, this may solve your problem.

Good luck,
Fred
K & G Power Systems
Wantagh, NY

Toby <dakot...@psnw.com> wrote in article
<01bed85b$54e267e0$0df7...@dakotasams.psnw.com>...
> Hi all,

> I have a Generac SP 5000 generator. It's model 09528-0 120/240 volts
and
> rated at 41.7/20.8 amps. It has less than 40 hours of use. It has a low

> oil level safety shut off and individual circuit breakers. It worked

> fantastic until I loaned it to a freind to go camping in a trailer. He
> said that it started right up but did not ever generate any electricity.