Gennie High Voltage Output

[Rick Davis]

My inverter/charger info panel says my gennie is putting out around 133 volts. When the gennie is first started it bounces around from as low as 131 to around 137 for a couple of minutes, but settles down at 132, 133, or 134. For the charger to work it needs to be 135 or below, so I am OK in that regard. Is this voltage output normal? As an electron non-techie I would assume it should be closer to 120 volts.
Also, I wonder if simply watching the panel is the best way to know the exact voltage being generated. Do I need to measure it somewhere to get a more exact reading?

[konehd]

I had a similar problem, turned out to be the voltage regulator.

If its the same as the later powertechs it regulates the (nominal) 220v output of the gen, not 120v. Check the output at the fan or breaker panel and see if its over about 250vac. If so there is a problem...


HTH, Joe

[ejallison1]

Rick-once it warms up a bit doesn't sound like it is bouncing too much + or - 1 from 132. Could it be that idle needs to be adjusted to slow the RPM down a little-should be running at 1800 RPM to produce 120-125V each leg. I remember seeing somewhere on how to adjust it-beats me where.

[Bill Pape]

Originally Posted by ejallison1

Rick-once it warms up a bit doesn't sound like it is bouncing too much + or - 1 from 132. Could it be that idle needs to be adjusted to slow the RPM down a little-should be running at 1800 RPM to produce 120-125V each leg. I remember seeing somewhere on how to adjust it-beats me where.

Sound like regulator.
which gage has the 135, the overhead analog or a digital ?? Or use a VOM.
if digital I think it is high. if you have a power surge protector it may read the Hz

[gcyeaw]

Originally Posted by ejallison1

Rick-once it warms up a bit doesn't sound like it is bouncing too much + or - 1 from 132. Could it be that idle needs to be adjusted to slow the RPM down a little-should be running at 1800 RPM to produce 120-125V each leg. I remember seeing somewhere on how to adjust it-beats me where.

Adjusting the RPM is strictly for cycles per second (60 cycles/sec at 1800 RPM). If running too fast or slow it could effect the regulator, but don't adjust the speed to adjust the voltage output, measure the frequency when setting the speed.

[bwinter1946]

Originally Posted by gcyeaw

Adjusting the RPM is strictly for cycles per second (60 cycles/sec at 1800 RPM). If running too fast or slow it could effect the regulator, but don't adjust the speed to adjust the voltage output, measure the frequency when setting the speed.

Exactly right!!



I use one of these to monitor A/C power from my generator. (BMCs do not have all those fancy gauges) It shows voltage and frequency.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-monitor/24900

No financial interest in this product or vendor.