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marvin pack (Gomer)
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Username: Gomer

Post Number: 528
Registered: 3-2007
Posted From: 71.53.155.14


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Posted on Friday, June 12, 2009 - 9:52 pm:   

I have an Onan 12.0 diesel. Model Is 12.0 MDJC-3CR/2268 T. Now,I am getting a little over 100 volts and I need to know what rpm to set the governor, Then where to set the voltage at[resistor] I don't know where it is to set either. Thanks I do have a manual but it doesnt tell all.

gomer
wrench (Metricwrench)
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Username: Metricwrench

Post Number: 26
Registered: 9-2006
Posted From: 76.101.105.177

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Posted on Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 7:37 am:   

Normaly this should be a 1800 RPM, no load frequency at 60-61, voltage should be 120-125-VAC.
wrench
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
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Username: Jackconrad

Post Number: 1125
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 74.4.53.29


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Posted on Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 7:51 am:   

I think that if you set the RPM to achieve 60-61 Hz, the voltage should be in the acceptable range (if there are no component problems) and the RPM will be close to 1800. Jack
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
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Username: George_mc6

Post Number: 878
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 64.55.111.6

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Posted on Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 1:39 pm:   

I think Jack's right, Wrench is too!

Set the rpm for 1800, the voltage will be 120, and the frequency will be 60, trust the three of us.

If you don't have a tach, set the governor for a no-load voltage of 120, and the speed and frequency will fall in line!

Don't mess with the resistor, especially if it hasn't been messed with!

If you have 1800 RPM, you WILL have 60 Hz, and you will have 120 Volts unless the resistor has been messed with. Changing speed changes the output voltage as well as the frequency, so it is not correct to adjust the resistor to increase the output voltage without knowing either the speed is exactly 1800 RPM, or the frequency is 60Hz.
G
Dan West (Utahclaimjumper)
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Username: Utahclaimjumper

Post Number: 190
Registered: 1-2005
Posted From: 208.66.38.60

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Posted on Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 5:29 pm:   

Marv, I just recently did this, check the voltage at an out let useing a simple VOM and adjust the speed to 120 volts, done deal.>>>Dan
marvin pack (Gomer)
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Username: Gomer

Post Number: 529
Registered: 3-2007
Posted From: 71.53.155.14


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Posted on Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 5:43 pm:   

I just got back in from sweating most of my hair out and found; Gen running at 1500 rpm,adjusted to 1700{?} and it was only 110v. Readjusted to 1800 and that was still 110. Put one of two heat pumps on and dropped to 105v. Started sprinkling so I left it alone. Water and electricity don't mix very well. Will try again Monday and see what is up.

Gomer
R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
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Username: Chuckllb

Post Number: 809
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 75.209.72.10

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Posted on Saturday, June 13, 2009 - 10:55 pm:   

Gomer....thanx for bringing this subject up...I am a bit gun shy about asking electrical questions, for reasons most of us on this board probably understand....:-( :-)

I have a 6.5 Onan...old one...runs well and seems to do it's job, but would like to "check it".. I note that at different altitudes, it runs differently, as most engines do....but is it putting out what it should at the rpms that should be?

Ideas accepted....(no, I'm not an expert in electricity, no I don't know a lot about many things); yes, I understand English, yes, I understand safety, yes I have reasonable knowledge of electrical systems and yes I can take constructive criticism.....please...:-)

Thanx to all.
RCB

RCB
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
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Username: Jackconrad

Post Number: 1126
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 74.4.53.29


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Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 7:19 am:   

RCB,
I purchased a small volt/frequency meter at Camping World that plugs into a standard outlet. I can plug it into the outlet I installed in the generator compartment and watch it as I adjust the generator or I can plug it into an outlet inside the bus to monitor generator output. Jack
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
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Username: George_mc6

Post Number: 882
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 64.55.111.6

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Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 11:02 am:   

Gomer,

One thought is for you to plug your meter into your house and read the voltage. I'm asking this for a check on your voltmeter. We don't know if your tach is correct either, so Jack's advice above is really good.

Frequency and speed ALWAYS GO EXACTLY TOGETHER, you change the speed, the frequency will change, period. Proper voltage does need proper speed, but it can be adjusted AFTER the speed is right.
Speed of AC motors is calculated by the formula:
Hz X 120/ # of poles. Yours is a 4 pole, and we run on 60 HZ, so 7200/4=1800.

So, a frequency meter will validate your tachometer reading, house (shore) power will validate your voltmeter, and might help you catch your tail instead of chasing it!

I'm having a problem with 110 Volts at both 1700 and 1800 rpm, so please check to make sure you are running at exactly 1800 rpm, and tell us what the meter reads, in the bus, and on shore power!

Chuck,

A frequency meter is the quick way, set the speed for 60 Hz.
A voltmeter is next best, set the speed to get 120 Volts with no load.
Wouldn't hurt to check the meter on shore first either, it should read between 118-120 Volts.
Unless there is a component failure, proper speed should produce proper voltage.
G
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
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Username: George_mc6

Post Number: 884
Registered: 8-2006
Posted From: 64.55.111.6

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Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 12:21 pm:   

Gomer,
You aren't using a "Wiggy" are you?
(As you can see, its an hour and 15 minutes later, and I just thought of this.)
It would explain the voltage problem...
Stay dry,
G
R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
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Username: Chuckllb

Post Number: 816
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 75.209.46.106

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Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 8:16 pm:   

Jack...I checked online re the volt/frequency meter at CW, but found only the cigarette lighter plug-in thing and another battery meter which had not much description to it.

Possible to take a pic..or note a Model number?
The others I have found on the web are pro devices

George...any recommendations? Volt meters I got....frequency I don't got.

Thanx. :-) :-(

RCB
joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
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Username: Joemc7ab

Post Number: 355
Registered: 6-2004
Posted From: 66.38.159.33

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Posted on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 12:56 am:   

Chuck

The gadget being talked about 8 posts lower is the thinghy you are looking for (frequency meter) That along with a decent volt Ohm Meter is about all you will need. Off course things like DC and AC fundamentals you can learn here by just asking the questions.

Joe.
Jim Gibson (River_rat)
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Username: River_rat

Post Number: 112
Registered: 1-2009
Posted From: 75.95.96.192

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Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 1:26 am:   

I just put a post last week on a genny setting tool. You can buy a device called a Kill A Watt for $20 bucks from several places (there is link on the other post) and this little device reads frequency. Just plug it into aan outlet and read frequency, then adjust your govenor to hit 60-61 hertz. Thats number one. Once you have that set, you are at 1800 rpm. If you are not getting 120V, there are a couple of pots on the regulator board that will set the 120V without changing the speed/frequency. You need 60 cycles, its pretty impostant. Thesr is a great forum that has some really good onan people - called SmokStak and they can be great at this stuff. Just went through it on my 7.5kw and that little meter was great, and it does a bunch of other stuff.
Jim
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
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Username: Buswarrior

Post Number: 1638
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.69.141.254


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Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 6:39 pm:   

Here's the link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882715001&Tpk=kill%20a%20watt

I'll be ordering mine momentarily.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

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