[Archived]

Ralf I don’t know if this will help you but maybe.

We were in FL Feb this year when campground transformer had an issue – low voltage around 100 if I remember right. Cruisairs didn’t like it. Ran generator to discover low volts on one leg (A/C acting up on it also).

Adjusted regulator, but to get 110 on one leg I was at 135 on the other. PowerTech 20KW. Stopped by Gil Johnson”s on way home – long story short – called PowerTech which was not far away. Service guy (Jeff Jones) said most likely generator head was shot. Jeff and another guy actually came out that evening with new parts and after some diagnostics confirmed new head needed which they brought with them. Had new Marathon Electric gen head replaced incl newer style regulator by 11pm or so. Jeff has been with PowerTech for 25+ yrs. His number is 352-267-0822.

My regulator is in control box on generator. About the size of a deck of cards. Has a small adjustment screw for changing volts +/-. Yours may only need that if legs are nearly equal.

[Ed]

Thanks for the info I will check my legs and go from there

[George]

Confused by post as when I talked to Marathon they told me they could not discuss my Powertech generator. The guy said he could be fired if he discussed any problems with me.

Post references repairing a marathon head.

Marathon says a brushless is better than a brush generator.

There is reference on the brush generator site that they are more stable than brushless.

When I was questioning the powertech rep trouble shooting my problem he said water or dust could be cause of shorting my generator.

I run generators all the time on a construction site in rain dust and adverse conditions. This unit is conditioned in environment friendly conditions and it dies.

Any experts with accurate info on generators.

Considering replacing with Marathon generator.

[Billy]

Sorry for the confusion. Generator head mfgd. by Marathon Electric. No affiliation with Marathon Coach whatsoever. Just coincidentally same name. Marathon Electric is pretty well known for quality components unless things have changed. Likely why PowerTech used their equipment.

The problem with mine was the end bearing had worn and allowed the rotor? to slightly wallow out keyway. There was a rumble under load that I hadn’t noticed but was obvious when generator was loaded. That was the rotor just barely touching the windings. Apparently not too far from shorting out – and whatever that might entail. This one has about 2400 hrs on it. Jeff said was likely caused by heavy loads hitting all at once over time. CruisAirs were hard-starts, sometimes requiring multiple attempts. I replaced both start and run capacitors in each (all were original dated 95/96). All start immediately now.

This is our first RV of any type whatsoever, so with some things like fuel mileage – I have no historical data to compare to. Same with this generator. Still looks new, nothing sounded especially odd to me.

[George]

Are the Cruise-Airs set up for staggered starts? Our 99 Liberty with SMX controls is set up so the C/A’s don’t start at the same time.

[Archived]

I was not referencing Marathon coach but Marathon Electric. The Powertech generator I have is not a Marathon unit I assume. I called Marathon Electric and they refused to talk to me.

Still trying to get answer to question on which is better, brush or brushless?

[rafael]

Since its a Powertech generator, I’d think your best bet is to talk to Powertech tech support or a knowledge Powertech service center.

I had a long visit with the owner of Martin Generators at PRI about five years ago. Martin has supplied generators (along with Powertech and Kohler) to many of the Prevost conversions we own. From that discussion I was left with the impression that the engine is pretty much the same (often Yanmar three cylinder diesel which is used in many marine applications) and the power head is often the same (I can’t remember what he said, but its very likely that Marathon Electric is the manufacturer for just about all of them).

I’m not surprised that someone at Marathon would be reluctant to talk to you. Those generators are sold to the consumer as a package and the final manufacturer (Powertech) would have primary responsibility for problems and trouble shooting down the road. If Marathon needs to be consulted, Powertech should do that.

I also recall Mr. Martin telling me about a possible problem in the Kohler with a bearing. Reading what happened to a previous poster, I’m thinking this is what Mr. Martin was trying to convey to me.

As Jon and others have posted before a number of times, these generators, their engines, and their powerheads are very reliable and often run tens of thousands of hours for years. In much more demanding conditions than we could run them. But … like anything else mechanical … something could go wrong.

Be persistent with Powertech. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Archived]

gmjdw I don’t know the answer on brush or brushless. I don’t recall any brushes in mine. Still have old parts.

Dick these 3 CruisAirs are SMX and have staggered starts also. At least one was pulling 80-85 amps trying to start and requiring multiple attempts. Others weren’t that bad but slower than now with new caps.

This Powertech is a 4cyl Kubota.

[Chuck & Katrina]

My cruise airs start at the same time, but what I notice yesterday is when the gen is not at operating temp the voltages are perfect, but when it gets to 170-180 temp which is operating temp they drop to 111 volts and stay there don’t know if it because of an rpm drop or what not but I can Definitely tell the difference in performance on all the appliances with the lower voltage especially in the ac systems they don’t cool as good.

---

2000 Featherlite H3-45

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Leesburg, FL

[al]

You can bump up the rpm but that also increases the Hertz (something I learned from Gil). I adjusted mine to 60+ when heavily loaded. With no load it crawls up a little. I’m guessing volts need to be adjusted at regulator.

[Loc]

Mine had the same voltage drop when at operating temp. It was the first sign of the beginning of the end for my voltage regulator. After I replaced it voltages remained stable.

Chuck

[DON]

Can anyone walk me through the process of regulating the voltage via voltage regulator or bumping up the rpm I have called power tech multiple times and always get the machine im guessing due to the whole covid situation. I have an upcoming trip from Florida to Maine in a week and want to make sure everything is working as it should. Thanks in advance.

[Ron]

Have you called the above guy Billy suggested?

[Ed]

I have not i did not want to take up his time with this issue. Time is money you know. But I will give him a call.