Generator not switching and delivering power

[Dave5Cs]

Are you starting it with anything running(Loads)? If so turn everything( all Loads) off and then start it and after it stays running then start adding loads to it and see if maybe it will stay running. If it stays going then add some heavy loads and run it for at least 2 hours. It likes to stretch its legs each month.

[eagle19952]

that is a Todd Transfer Switch.
the thing that is burnt is a delay timer that wont allow the transfer until it tastes/sees the proper voltage.

you can by pass it but you need to turn off all of your breakers that are sensitive to low voltage.
i had the same problem...but i have a spare timer.

wish i had another

let me search around, i think there might be a source for new timers...
or you might could send it off to that dinosaur boards place and get new made...todd has been out of bizness for a long time

imo...they are/were one of the best transfer switches made

[eagle19952]

used to be able to get them here...
http://www.ecovantageenergy.com/catalog/items/item1422.htm

[Geoff]

I bought all my parts from Grainger.

--Geoff

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

If you are not sure I suggest you call Dick Wright first thing Monday morning and ask him before anything else gets damaged.  It is his generator so he will certainly know.  http://www.wricointernational.com/   ( 5 4 1 ) 7 4 4 - 4 3 3 3  If you email him pix ahead of time this may help.  Dick Wright (dick@Riousa.com)

[Geoff]

I received a manual with my Isuzu/Leech Neville genset.  I had a problem a while back and was able to test the generator head using the test guide in the small manual.  It passed all the tests and I figured out it was the engine.  I'm sure you could download a manual.  Isn't your generator head a Marathon?

--Geoff

You could just pull the cover off the generator and look for a burned part.

[Geoff]

that is a Todd Transfer Switch.
the thing that is burnt is a delay timer that wont allow the transfer until it tastes/sees the proper voltage.

you can by pass it but you need to turn off all of your breakers that are sensitive to low voltage.
i had the same problem...but i have a spare timer.

wish i had another

let me search around, i think there might be a source for new timers...
or you might could send it off to that dinosaur boards place and get new made...todd has been out of bizness for a long time

imo...they are/were one of the best transfer switches made

If Todd made such great transfer switches how come he didn't make them so they would not switch to shore power when the generator was running?  I made my own transfer switch and the shore power defeat switch was a simple wire. Oh, and​ I didn't use plumber's tape.



--Geoff

[wal1809]

All good information.  I left a Vmail at wrico.  I called todd engeneering and they said send the PCB.  I have a buyer flying down Friday to leave with the bus Saturday.  Ahhhhhhh the pleasures of life.

What happens when the gen is running and somebody plugs in the cord to a 50 amp breaker?  The reason I ask is during the flood I moved the bus to the pump house on high ground and had the genset running.  The contractor wires in a 50 amp plug at the pump house.  I guarantee his dumb @$$ plugged it in while the gen was running.  Incidintally they eventually got run off for tryi,g to steal $40,000.  That's the kind of people that come slithering after disasters.

[Geoff]

I asked my generator manufacturer what happens if shore power is plugged in while the generator is running and he didn't get specific but said "all kind of nasty things can happen" and you have to follow the generator manual to test everything and see what the damage is.  So if this is what happened you can pay someone to check it out or buy a good meter and check it yourself.  I can tell you which meter you need, a simple multimeter isn't good enough. I have to go out to my service truck and see which meter you need.

--Geoff

[eagle19952]

If Todd made such great transfer switches how come he didn't make them so they would not switch to shore power when the generator was running?  I made my own transfer switch and the shore power defeat switch was a simple wire. Oh, and​ I didn't use plumber's tape.



--Geoff

if yours are so much better...why aren't you selling them ? or better yet...giving busnuts a drawing and parts list ?

[wal1809]

Geoff thank you very much.  I have hired a generator mechanic that was recommended by Wrico.  His name is Bilob Elder from the north side of Houston, Crosstimbers and Interstate 45.

I turned off all the breakers but the one that runs the blower fan on the remote mounted radiator.  I fired the genset up and read 120 for both wires from the genset to the switches. Whole manually holding the switches open It ran fine and produced enough electricity to keep the blower running.  I then switched all the breakers on and manually opened the switches again.  The engine would lug, it would send electricity through and then the engine lug would stop and it stopped producing electricity.  Repeated closeing of the switch produced the same results.

[luvrbus]

After 20 years my Todd went bad I have a Surge Guard now it takes care of everything even if you fire the generator up while on shore power.My old Todd had breakers built into the relays if you plugged in with the generator running it would just trip the breaker on the relay then shore power or generator power would not work.The board went bad on my Todd    

[luvrbus]

Geoff thank you very much.  I have hired a generator mechanic that was recommended by Wrico.  His name is Bilob Elder from the north side of Houston, Crosstimbers and Interstate 45.

I hope he dosen't charge by the mile if you are still living in the Katy/ Brookshire area that is a little trip

[wal1809]

Luvsrbus he is charging a 185 service fee, parts and 100 am hour per labor.  He is bringing out a whole new grander box at 250 for the box.  This is going to hit a grand easy.  It is what it is.

[luvrbus]

He is charging you for the Houston traffic