NextGen Generator Problem
My 5.5kw NextGen generator suddenly stopped producing power. The
engine runs but no output. There was no smell of burning electrical
stuff. I have spent hours on the phone with NextGen and still no
solution. Do any of you know of a mechanic/electrician I could talk
to about this? The guys at NextGen don't seem to be very good at
troubleshooting. They just build them not fix them.
The genset portion of the unit is made by Markon.
Thanks
Jim
Jim Barrentine
Endeavour Trawlercat 36 "Down Time"
11470 Euclid Ave., #404
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-496-2008
N9JKB
Follow our blog at http://jimanddianeboatingadventure.blogspot.com/
Jim and All,
Last year my Fischer-Panda generator had many problems. I got the
Kubota engine problems fixed and she now runs like a top. (Very
Well). Then the gen set would not produce enough power to start the
larger of my two A/C units. Whenever I put much of a load on the
generator the voltage would drop from 110 to about 90 and then shut
down. I tried the Cruise Air Smart Start unit and it did not fix the
problem. I called Fischer Panda tech support in Florida and they had
me perform a couple of test with a volt meter. When I gave him the
results of the voltage test he said "It's your capacitors." My Fischer
Panda has a separate control box which contains the capacitors. The
newer models have the capacitors mounted on the engine. My favorite A/C
guy, Woody, let me borrow his capacitor checker. Lo and behold on of
the four capacitors in my control box had blown apart. Another tested
as bad. The other two tested OK but, I replaced all four since they
were now eleven years old. Capacitors should last quite a while. But
sometimes they just go bad. I would think most all generators would
have capacitors somewhere in their circuits. So, if your generator is
running properly but, it will not produce power check your capacitors.
Capacitor checkers are available on line and are not very expensive. Or
you might be able to borrow one from any good A/C mechanic.
BTW, my generator now produces a boat load of great power.
Paul Weakley
On 5/24/2012 10:31 AM, Jim Barrentine wrote:
My 5.5kw NextGen generator suddenly stopped producing power. The
engine runs but no output. There was no smell of burning electrical
stuff. I have spent hours on the phone with NextGen and still no
solution. Do any of you know of a mechanic/electrician I could talk
to about this? The guys at NextGen don't seem to be very good at
troubleshooting. They just build them not fix them.
On 5/24/2012 12:55 PM, Paul Weakley wrote:
<snip> Capacitor checkers are available on line and are not very
expensive. Or you might be able to borrow one from any good A/C
mechanic.
Capacitors can also be tested with a simple VOM for opens or shorts.
Since an open or short is typically the condition seen when they fail,
checking the capacitance is usually (but not always) redundant.
Sometimes a visual is all that's needed. A cap that has a bulged top, is
discolored, or burnt in any way, or stinks, is probably TU. Sometimes
they literally blow their top. Can look like an arson scene inside the
wiring compartment.
To test, kill all power to the device being tested, disconnect one leg
of the capacitor to isolate it from the circuit completely. Short the
capacitor posts to discharge it. Set the VOM for high resistance, K
ohms, and place the probes one on each leg, the meter should deflect
full scale (zero ohms) then ramp to infinity. Reverse the leads and
repeat. Should see the same. If the meter deflects and stays, short. If
no deflection, open. Replace with the same voltage and microfared value.
Reconnect all, try the device.
Good luck!
Steve Sipe
Solo 4303 "Maerin"
Northbound AICW