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Generator starting troubles
coach is a 1994 prevost star coach converted by marathon with a 20kw PowerTech generator.
We start and run the generator almost every week or every other week, with all the components to load the generator up.
This past week, went to crank the generator and it wouldnt start, checked the starting batteries and alas, one of the two was bad, so replaced it, and still no start. had a little less than a 1/4 tank of diesel, so filles the coach up to over 1/2 a tank to eliminate the possibility of low fuel shutoff.
Generator doesnt even turn over, has proper coolant and oil levels. Has proper voltage (12ish + volts) at the batteries, generator control box, and at the starter itself, however when you try to crank it, voltage drops. Fuel solenoid engages, then shuts down after it tries to turn over. tried swapping out the relays with each other and no change. tried to get back to the starter to jump across the solenoid, but difficult to acess, can feel the starter and its warm after attempting to turn it over.
Placed a phone call to powertech and waiting on a call back. anyone have suggestions on other things i could check? my guess is probably a bad starter or solenoid, figured id check here before i went to the hassle of pulling it to be tested or took it in for service.
any help is much appreciated!
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6 Replies
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other possible thought is the circuit board mounted in the control box. is their any way i can test this to eliminate it as a source of the problem?
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remove to other old battery and see if it starts with one good one. You other battery may have been bad also and just holding a surface charge, no real cranking amps.
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My Royale did that power tech and it was voltage regulator I replaced it and never a problem again just I thought!!!!!
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Call and ask for Jeff at Powertech, he handles customer service for them. Great guy, and very helpful.
352-435-4416
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I had the same issue last year. It actually turned out to be a bad toggle switch on the manual start board located on the GEN. I took the face plate off and replaced the toggle and it fired right up. Has worked ever since.
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Well, after further troubleshooting, was able to crawl over the genset and remove the starter to have it tested. as assumed, it tested bad, had it rebuilt locally for $150 and was able to pick it up the same day. it fired right up once put back on!
Thanks for the help and suggestions!
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