Power Tech Generator repair

mlh1936 · June 27, 2012, 12:03:22 PM

Does anyone know of a good generator repair shop in central or north FL? I have a problem with the Power-Tech generator itself. The Kubota engine runs great, but the gen 's output is causing a large surge in my lighting. My AC lights continuously change from bright to dim. My digital voltage and frequency monitor can't register the change since it happens so rapidly.
I called customer service in Leesburg where I bought it from. Their response(what little there was of it) was it's not going to hurt anything as long as the voltage doesn't exceed 130V. I asked about bringing it in to the shop for a repair. I was told "oh we can't possibly schedule you in for repair until at least mid-sept". I would like to have it checked out. That can't be good for the electronics in the bus.
Thanks.

Len Silva · June 27, 2012, 12:41:47 PM

That's really sad to hear. I haven't done business with them in about twelve years but at that time they would have fallen all over themselves to help in any way they could. I guess they just got too successful.

Their own list of service/dealers is here: http://powertech-gen.com/dealers#fl

belfert · June 27, 2012, 01:18:03 PM

I would not go to an RV dealer for this. Take it to a generator repair place instead. Powertech's generators are fairly standard on the generator end so any generator repair place should be able to look at it. Some of the dealers on the Powertech list are RV places and some are generator places.

I wonder if Powertech has had to cut back so now they don't have enough employees to keep up with repairs? I think if I was a business owner and had a three month backlog I would be looking for more employees, but maybe they can't find anyone.

luvrbus · June 27, 2012, 01:40:10 PM

Scary a backlog of 3+ months to work on a generator lol could be business is to good at power tech

gus · June 27, 2012, 02:21:22 PM

Get a multimeter that checks hertz output to make sure the engine isn't running slightly too fast.

If so, all you need do is adjust the engine governor linkage until you get the proper 58-62 Hertz (Depending on load).

Running too fast also makes too many volts.

luvrbus · June 27, 2012, 03:33:28 PM

The electronic control board should control the rpm, hertz,over speed, and voltage all that should be +or- 1 on the Powertech unless it is a very old unit probably a bad control board

gus · June 28, 2012, 12:32:22 PM

My diesel is old, about an '82, the Hz has to be set at the engine governor!!

Don't know about the new Honda gas control, there isn't much maintenance stuff in the manual.

TomC · June 28, 2012, 01:20:50 PM

I have a 10kw Powertech I bought in 1993. As to the hertz-as mentioned that is determined by the engine speed. As to voltage changes-I know the only time I see any kind of light flashing is a very quick dim when the A/C compressor kicks in. If it is dimming and getting brighter without any other outside influences-possibly a new voltage regulator should be considered. At least on mine, they aren't that expensive. Call Powertech and see how much for your model genset. Good Luck, TomC

luvrbus · June 28, 2012, 01:37:13 PM

Some of the new generators have digital governors no changing nothing without the laptop and software lol

good luck

Charles in SC · June 28, 2012, 06:14:50 PM

I had a truck with a 7kw Powertech diesel. It was a 2000 model. The voltage was varying and I called Powertech to discuss it with them. They were not much help but kept telling me that their generators just hardly ever gave any problems. After them telling me two or three times that it could not possibly be bad. I asked them to send me a new voltage control. It worked fine after I replaced it.

mlh1936 · June 29, 2012, 11:13:53 AM

Thanks gents for all the tips. At least now I have some idea of where to start.

gus · June 29, 2012, 02:47:36 PM

TomC,

When my Westerbeke was first installed the voltage was too low. I checked the Hz and it was also low.

When I increased the gov speed setting both came back to the proper values.

So, it appears to me they are both dependent on engine speed. Just my experience.

Also, on my gas Honda, the voltage would drop when the AC kicked in because it wouldn't pick up the load, sometimes the genset would quit. This turned out to a be gummed up carb power valve which made it run too lean. I know this doesn't apply to diesels, but just a thought.

bobofthenorth · June 29, 2012, 06:27:12 PM

Gus I dunno bugger all about how generators make power but that matches what the guys on SmokStak say. Within a fairly narrow range increasing the RPMs will increase voltage as well as hertz.

Oonrahnjay · June 30, 2012, 05:52:47 AM

Quote from: bobofthenorth on June 29, 2012, 06:27:12 PMGus I dunno bugger all about how generators make power but that matches what the guys on SmokStak say. Within a fairly narrow range increasing the RPMs will increase voltage as well as hertz.

Yes, Bob, but I think that this is for older "lower-tech" control generators. If I understand it correctly, the electronically controlled generators control these parameters despite variations (dunno how big these variations can be) in RPM and load. If a generator is controlled this way, changing the RPM won't make any difference to voltage and hertz. But if you have electronic control, it's a completely different ball of wax regarding understanding generator operation, diagnostics, and repair.

Len Silva · June 30, 2012, 06:35:35 AM

Bruce,

Not exactly right unless you are talking about the variable speed generators such as the Onan Quiet Diesel, which is actually a generator/inverter package.

On all "regular" generators the frequency (Hz) is absolutely dependent on the speed. A four pole generator must run at exactly 1800 RPM to get 60 Hz. The voltage is dependent on the design and field current which is controlled by the voltage regulator.