rtrask
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I have very similar symptoms to this thread: MEP 803a no power to main lugs
My generator is not outputting any current at the main lugs but is at the convenience receptacle as described on the above thread. I believe that it was putting out current at the main lugs last spring after I got all the issues with the diesel engine ironed out and the engine continues to run well. I never put a load on the main lugs. I just measured the values with my multi-meter, and it seemed correct.
The genset sat through most of the summer fall and winter, with sporadic short periods where the convenience plug was used lightly. Last weekend I needed the power for an air compressor out on my off grid property, and there was no power on the main terminals. Where the generator sat is at 8000 ft in a high desert setting in Colorado. It was exposed to the weather which included cold, wind, snow, common to that elevation and location. I guess it is not a surprise that issues arose with it sitting so long.
Light In the Dark offered this advice to the previous poster:
I don't understand the above post. What are the "open contact switches"? What is the "load switch"? The main phase switch I understand, and it is noticeably stiff, so that may be the culprit, the starting switch seems stiff to me too. I doubt that just switching the phase switch back and forth is the best approach to freeing it up. Should I pull these switches and try to give them a through cleaning? Should I go through all of the relays and clean them. What is the best order of maintenance I should follow to diagnose and fix my issue?
Guyfang responded as below.
trouble shooting pdf
My generator is not outputting any current at the main lugs but is at the convenience receptacle as described on the above thread. I believe that it was putting out current at the main lugs last spring after I got all the issues with the diesel engine ironed out and the engine continues to run well. I never put a load on the main lugs. I just measured the values with my multi-meter, and it seemed correct.
The genset sat through most of the summer fall and winter, with sporadic short periods where the convenience plug was used lightly. Last weekend I needed the power for an air compressor out on my off grid property, and there was no power on the main terminals. Where the generator sat is at 8000 ft in a high desert setting in Colorado. It was exposed to the weather which included cold, wind, snow, common to that elevation and location. I guess it is not a surprise that issues arose with it sitting so long.
Light In the Dark offered this advice to the previous poster:
Do you have a can of contact cleaner? If not, consider getting some for your stockpile. Corrosion in the open element switches on these machines is a real thing, and can definitely cause what you are experiencing. I think you should start (when the machine is off) flipping the load switch on and off as many times as you can do without going mad. If there is any corrosion in this, you may free it up and cause a connection to be made again. The same could be said for the main phase switch behind the gauges... always when off. Any connection that can corrode, will corrode over time.
I don't understand the above post. What are the "open contact switches"? What is the "load switch"? The main phase switch I understand, and it is noticeably stiff, so that may be the culprit, the starting switch seems stiff to me too. I doubt that just switching the phase switch back and forth is the best approach to freeing it up. Should I pull these switches and try to give them a through cleaning? Should I go through all of the relays and clean them. What is the best order of maintenance I should follow to diagnose and fix my issue?
Guyfang responded as below.
I only mentioned the elevation to give the reader an idea of the extremes of weather the genset experienced. I do not think there is any issue in running at 8K feet. I have downloaded the TMs and the trouble shooting pdf as well. LITD seemed to be providing good advice a s Guy fand noted in a previous post, but I could not translate the terms he used into actions I was certain of.The best thing to do, is start your own thread. That way, people do not confuse what you write and what has been written by someone else. Starting with a clean slate makes it easier for you and us to help you through this.
I do not think your elevation has an impact on the problem.
When I write advice here, I will almost only use proper terms. I rarely say start switch. I saw S1, or instead of Emergency Bypass switch, I say S7. Shorter, and its exact. So If you haven't downloaded the TM's, and maybe read the operators TM, and or looked at the wire diagrams on the doors, it may be a bit confusing for you.
The symtoms you describe sound like you can not get K1, (AC Circuit Interrupter Relay) too close. Lets not go any farther here, as TWO threads is even worse then trying to hook your problem onto someone else's problem.
trouble shooting pdf
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