Roadpilot
NH Seacoast
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Joined: 09/16/2006
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I have a 17.5KW Powertech generator in our MH. I also have Trace inverters (2 ea at 4KEW) that have a built in transfer switch. They select the appropriate input to use - either house AC or generator or if no generator they'll run everything off a large battery bank.
Lately when I dry camp and want to run the genset I notice that everything looks good when I first start it up. The inverter has selected the generator and the AC voltage from the generator is close to the output voltage of the inverter when it's operating (around 123 VAC). If I come back a few minutes later I notice the Trace is now inverting i.e. it's not using the genset output. The genset is still running. I also notice that the output voltage of the generator has climbed to 136 VAC. I'm assuming the Trace inverter is programmed to stop using the genset if it's output voltage is too high.
My question is, how can I reduce the output voltage of the generator? The load on the generator last time it did this was 2 airconditioners, 1 Aquahot and assorted electrical stuff or about 15 amps per side.
2006 Millennium Prevost
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Some are controlled by the governor. Here is link to manuals. You will need exact model to download the correct one.
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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Roadpilot wrote:I have a 17.5KW Powertech generator. I have to say that's the biggest one I've ever heard of. What is this, an all-electric coach?
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Roadpilot
NH Seacoast
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Thanks for the info. I downloaded the manual. In one area there's a reference to two pots. One is output voltage the other is stability. But all other areas in the manual say if the output is too high you have to change the voltage control module. I'm unsure if I start diddling the voltage pot, if that might throw off the stability setting. I don't know if they are interactive. I have a call into Powertech.
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mlts22
Austin, Texas
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Joined: 11/15/2010
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I've seen some rigs with 20kW generators. I think part of it is due to pure electric items like residential refrigerators becoming something people want (since they don't have to be level and provide more cubic feet of storage than a comparable absorption fridge.) Another part is that there are more items that people want to haul along.
I'm guessing the OP's rig has four air conditioning units. With that in mind, it easily would take 12-15 kW to run all of those when not connected to shore power, and more wattage needed for the inrush current.
Plus, there is a fear of propane, so some rig makers are going all electric, even the furnace. (It is a tad ironic since if there is a leak in a propane system, the stuff disperses in the air. A diesel fuel or gasoline leak is an environmental hazard and can affect the environment negatively for a long while especially if a good amount winds up in the soil.)
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2oldman
Winchester WA
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mlts22 wrote:Plus, there is a fear of propane Perception is reality, unfortunately.
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mena661
Southern California
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2oldman wrote:mlts22 wrote:Plus, there is a fear of propane Perception is reality, unfortunately. Interestingly I've never heard of this fear till I started frequenting this forum. My entire neighborhood (as are most rural areas in the US with no access to nat gas) uses propane. I wish I didn't have it but for other reasons entirely (cost $$$).
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Roadpilot
NH Seacoast
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Actually it is all electric. I don't fear propane - I use it to heat my house and to cook with at home. On the Powertech front - I watched the voltage carefully for about 30 minutes and it gradually increases to a point I decided to shut it off. It seems like it could be a thermal issue with the voltage controller.
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