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Generator Issue (in Bahamas)

Discussion in 'Generators' started by CSkipR, Jun 29, 2013.

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  1. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Yesterday at Green Turtle the island lost power. I had left gen breaker on although gen was not running. When I tried to start gen it would not start. Sounded like it wanted to but wouldn't stay running. Noticed that when I pressed the preheat switch their was no power to the water, oil and voltage instruments. Normally they reset and you can see the gauges move when you press. Turned off all breakers and checked fuses. Everything checked okay. After switching breaker on panel box off/on a few times the gauges lit and it started right up. This morning it did the same thing although when I flipped breaker a couple of times power came back on to the gauges and it started fine. Did the power outage possible cause a problem with a solenoid or something similar?
    Thanks, Skip
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I had the same issue on another Cabo many years back. First check the plugs on the back of that panel, I believe there are 2. The problem we had was a wire that came off of the alternator (I believe it was white) and energized everything got burned because the owner somehow held the preheat,start, and stop button at the same time. The generator did the same thing and was a Westerbeke 12 btd. 2005.
  3. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    What year, make and model is your genset? Is the control panel one provided by the genset manufacturer or a custom one?

    Sounds like a bad connection, loose, or as J mentioned a burnt, wire issue.

    Start at one end and work your way to the other looking over all the connections and wires as you go.

    Actually, now that I think about it, I would look at the connections at that breaker first. And bare in mind the breaker itself could be going bad.
  4. Chevelle

    Chevelle New Member

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    Could easily be the breaker. I replace lots of breakers.
  5. C4ENG

    C4ENG Senior Member

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    I am going with a loose ground connection. Fill us in when you catch the culprit
  6. Capt Bill11

    Capt Bill11 Senior Member

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    We should start a betting pool on what the final issue will be. :D
  7. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Skipper

    Is this the same issue you had about a month or two ago?
  8. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    No this just started. I believe it was caused by a power outage at our docks. After the power came back on I also had to restart my ac. Normally the ac just comes back on when the power comes back. Left the dc gen breaker on that day and thinking there might have been a spike. It could be the breaker as switching it back and forth the gen will now start. It seems intermittent.
    Skip
  9. Silver Lining

    Silver Lining Member

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    Hey Skip, it was good meeting you at Tahiti Beach off of Elbow Cay. How was the dinner at Firefly?

    We went on to Harbor Island, Eleuthrra, and finished with a few days at Atlantis (the kids love it there). It seems the wind never stopped blowing, made for a few bumpy rides. Where are you going next?

    -Rick
  10. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Rick nice meeting you as well. Dinner at Firefly was great. We went back to Green Turtle the next day and are still here. We will stay though July 23rd unless the weather doesn't improve. It has been windy since we saw you and is still blowing. Supposedly forecast to improve on Tues or Wed.
    Take care, Skip
  11. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Generator Issue

    Yesterday the gen started up and we decided to go out for awhile in Cabo. Got about a mile out and gen quit. It wants to run but wont continue. No power to the control panel. Checked wiring and have power to breaker.
    Should I be looking for a wiring problem on the gen itself or do you think this problem is located at the control panel where I have no power on the oil pressure, temp and output voltage gauges.
    It appears to be something loose since occasionally it will start.

    I notice that when I flip the gen breaker back and forth I am getting a pop sound on my Sea Fire system that is in my breaker panel. Model number ESRS-Mark V. Could this be shutting down the power? Can this be reset?
    Skip
  12. garyohv

    garyohv New Member

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    What is the make/model of your generator?
  13. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Generator

    Westerbeke 15kw BTDC The issue was a $10 start relay in the control box.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    U home yet, safe? All running good?
  15. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    CskipR

    You've had multiple headaches with the gen lately, do you think that $10 switch was the source?
  16. CSkipR

    CSkipR Member

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    Yes we got back in late July. Everything is fine. Regarding the gen I think there were multiple issues. Original fuel pump would heat up after running for awhile and it would shutdown. Replaced fuel pump. A new impeller approx. 1 month old had to be replaced and then later the relay went out. We ran home from Grand straight to Ponce and it ran perfectly.
  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Fingers crossed for genny. Glad your back safe.
  18. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've seen new impellors go bad prematurely if the heat exchanger is pretty blocked. If it's got over 1000 hours and hasn't been cleaned it would be a good idea to do so.
  19. garyohv

    garyohv New Member

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    You said your gen stopped running, and "wanted to start"....meaning it was cranking. The relay your replaced on the controller was K1, Start Relay. It does not affect "run". Next time you can bypass K1 by jumping 12v to the starter solinoind...while holding "preheat" first...it will start.

    Something else caused your gen to stop. Maybe safety switches? For testing only, to bypass the safety switches and relay K2 (run), jump 12v to TB2-1 (in controller). This powers your fuel system as K2 does.
    Where did you get the relay? Replace the other relay anyway. Keep the old for a spare. What if you sprayed the relay with plastic to encapsulate it?

    I've studied the wiring diagram regarding pushing Stop and Pre-heat at the same time. That can not cause damage. The "stop" button switches off power to the "pre-heat switch.