Basement a/c question

eagle19952 · May 27, 2018, 11:15:54 AM

Quote from: kyle4501 on May 27, 2018, 06:06:43 AM
107 seems low to me,
Low volts allows the unit to pull higher amperage which generates more heat.

that and factor high ambient temp in the bay and then age wear on the compressor and possibly a bad time delay (slug) the inrush start currents at 107v just isn't going to work for two units.
does one or the other function separately ?
good luck.

oldmansax · May 28, 2018, 05:05:47 AM

Quote from: richard5933 on May 27, 2018, 10:24:35 AM
Are the voltage regulators adjustable? If not, anyone have a reliable source?

No. The Wanderlodge board has info on suppliers and maybe a few used ones.

TOM

thomasinnv · May 28, 2018, 06:32:31 AM

Quote from: oldmansax on May 28, 2018, 05:05:47 AM
No. The Wanderlodge board has info on suppliers and maybe a few used ones.

TOM

Thinking outside the box here, I wonder if anyone has found available or been able to retrofit an adjustable one? I know they are out there I had one on a generac years ago.

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TomC · May 28, 2018, 12:23:30 PM

Typically the voltage regulator will have an adjustment to boost it up a bit. HZ is controlled by engine rpm. I adjust mine so I'm getting 60hz under load which will put the HZ around 63 or so under no load. Good Luck, TomC

richard5933 · May 28, 2018, 02:33:58 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. Just got home and from a 4-day trip to Black River Falls. Quite a heat wave for us here in Wisconsin as temps approached 100 for a few days.

When we got home and plugged in the basement a/c units did work better, so I'm leaning towards the low-voltage being at least part of the problem. I'll get the meter out tomorrow when it's not so hot and check the performance of the generator (both hz and voltage). A new generator is not in the budget this year, so I'd like to keep this one as long as it does the job at hand. Hopefully I can tweak the settings a bit and make things work.

UPDATE: I just checked the generator output. It's spot on at 60hz and 117 volt at no load. One a/c takes it down to about 112 v and both bring it down to 108 v or so.

The rear a/c will run fine alone on the generator. It will also run fine when the front one is running at the same time. The front unit seems to cycle on and off more often than normal on generator, even more so if both are running at once. With both running on a hot day it cycles off more than on.

My thoughts are this...

Front a/c seems to be struggling more. I will open up the case and check the easy things (poor connections, binding fan, etc). I'll also connect my shore power monitor and see what current each unit draws individually to see if there's a difference.

Generator seems to be putting out the proper hz/volts at no load. Not sure what can be done to help it perform better under load. Suggestions are welcome. In the meantime I will start figuring out how to pay for a new one from Wrico. Not sure if I'll just throw a new head on or try to swing the whole new thing. Lots easier to just change the head, but then I'm stuck with the noise/vibration of the Perkins. Also have no idea when the Perkins will die or if it's being the problem. Since the generator only has two 30-amp breakers on the output legs, I'm thinking that the generator head is the problem.

chessie4905 · May 28, 2018, 03:33:19 PM

That's a good generator, Just needs some service and output adjustment. We had 2500 hours on our same unit in the 04. You do need to open the wiring area up and make sure you don't have any overheated connections due to loosening.

richard5933 · May 29, 2018, 06:32:52 AM

Quote from: TomC on May 28, 2018, 12:23:30 PM
Typically the voltage regulator will have an adjustment to boost it up a bit. HZ is controlled by engine rpm. I adjust mine so I'm getting 60hz under load which will put the HZ around 63 or so under no load. Good Luck, TomC

Best to set the hz to be at 60 with full load (both a/c units running plus battery charger) or comprimize by setting it with half load?

I don't see any adjustments on the regulator, but I can tweak the rpm setting to raise both hz and voltage a bit.

brmax · May 29, 2018, 06:40:57 AM

Is this unit a electronic regulator circuit board. If so there may be a printed model number for some refference.

Good day

Floyd

chessie4905 · May 29, 2018, 06:42:10 AM

Please check your connections at generator, including the head. We found some almost burnt connections earlier in the hours and caught them before serious damage. That issue will cause voltage drop under load. The head should have a removable tin cover on end and box on top has small screws securing it. Yours is painted gold?

richard5933 · May 29, 2018, 02:17:30 PM

From the comments and suggestions I've got the following checklist:

1. Inspect basement a/c unit for free air flow, fan movement, necessary lubrication, obvious mechanical issues, and/or any loose connections

2. Open inspection cover on generator head and check all connections for tight connections and/or other visible issues

3. Confirm tight connections inside generator control box

4. Confirm tight connections at manual transfer switch

5. Set generator engine RPM to produce 120v/60hz operation at load

6. Compare load from front and rear a/c units to be sure that one isn't pulling excessive current

FYI, generator is Kohler 12.5 RCOP67 with an output of only 10kw, not the 12.5 I early thought.

Am I missing anything?

Jim Eh. · May 29, 2018, 05:07:01 PM

Check condenser and evaporator coils? Make sure no critters have set up their vacation condos. A blast of compressed air should flow through easily with no debris coming out.

rdbishop · May 31, 2018, 09:47:32 PM

Richard,
Have you checked the thermo disk on the compressor. I had a split unit that did what yours is doing. I pulled the disk away from the comp. and let it run for a good while as I needed cold air. I also added enough 22 to let it sweat right up to the comp. Still running like that after 16 yrs

Richard

TomC · May 31, 2018, 11:19:07 PM

You should be able to keep that generator running for many more thousands of hours. I had a truck driver friend that his 8kw Powertech had 23,000hrs on is when he sold the truck-with one alternator head replacement from brush type to brushless. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · June 01, 2018, 06:25:46 AM

You need a generator person if that Kohler has a 12.5 head a HP setting will make it produce 12.5 K,the problem could the Perkins is at it's limit,it maybe the Perkins is due some TLC and not the head,those tough old generators with a little TLC

chessie4905 · June 01, 2018, 06:33:42 AM

I also think you need to have the generator serviced before issues down stream get costly. Have it done by an outfit that knows what they're doing and how to check and or change calibrations. Ask some questions of the establishment. There are good outfits out there, just have to search them out. Maybe an old outfit that is familiar with your unit and not going to try to make a sale on a replacement.