antar Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) Recently purchased one of the many Air Log 5.6 KvA 240v generators being sold off by Withams. After sorting fuel system problems and putting engine oil in it (it was empty not just low) ran it up only to find it is only delivering about 120v. Hz are correct at 50 cycles on the dial so not an engine rpm problem (presume 3000rpm). Does anybody have manuals or any ideas what may be wrong ? Edited September 9, 2016 by antar typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 From where are you getting the 120v reading? I have a proper generator tester, gives voltage and frec unloaded and loaded. When output is measured with a usual VOM meter it differs wildly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 From where are you getting the 120v reading? I have a proper generator tester, gives voltage and frec unloaded and loaded. When output is measured with a usual VOM meter it differs wildly. It has an analogue volt meter on the panel which is wher I am getting the reading. I connected a 240 angle grinder to the 3 pin plug outlet, as soon as I operate the switch the trip operates. As I say the Hz is spot on, again from a gauge on the panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted September 10, 2016 Share Posted September 10, 2016 3000rpm sounds correct, generators usually run at 3k or 1.5k giving 50hz depending on whether the alternator is a 2 pole or 4 pole. I know these have a voltage regulator and I have seen several with a note on the casing to the effect that the reg is faulty or has been removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted September 11, 2016 Share Posted September 11, 2016 It's also possible that's it's been rigged for 120v, we had Brit Generators powering American buildings in Saudi during Op Bolton onwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 It's also possible that's it's been rigged for 120v, we had Brit Generators powering American buildings in Saudi during Op Bolton onwards. Thought about that but it would have been cranked up to 60Hz for US use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted September 13, 2016 Share Posted September 13, 2016 You maybe overestimating how these guys worked. We couldn't rely on mains powered clocks as the frequencies weren't correct. The clocks used to lose about 10 minutes every hour in the accommodation blocks (as we had US 120v power converted to 240v) and gain 10 mins in every hour in the Tech site. It was a nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 You maybe overestimating how these guys worked. We couldn't rely on mains powered clocks as the frequencies weren't correct. The clocks used to lose about 10 minutes every hour in the accommodation blocks (as we had US 120v power converted to 240v) and gain 10 mins in every hour in the Tech site. It was a nightmare! Just checked the gauges the frequency gauge will only go to 55 Hz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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