Generator Problem

[Hurricane29]

Hey everybody! I have a 2002 Four winds Hurricane with a Emerald III Generator. The Generator is never used but I do start it up regularly to keep it from gumming up. The last time I started it Both of my T.V.'s and D.V.D. player got burnt up! They was not turned on both TV's started smoking. I was NOT connected to shore power. When the TV's started smoking I shut the generator off immediatly! I turned off the breakers on the generator and still start it regularly. It did not damage anything else in the coach. What caused this to happen? Will it Happen again? Is it something I can fix myself? Keep in mind I am about 2 hours from a Onan repair shop. I never use my generator I am a Rv'er who say's "if they aint no electric or water I aint going!" But I do like to keep everything in working order. Thanks for your help!!!

[RVhauler]

Would suggest that the voltage output from the Genny be checked for starters. And yes if it did it once then will most likely do it to another set also. Something is definately wrong.

[trainsktg]

Do you have a 50 amp house panel in your RV? If this is correct, then it sounds like you have an open neutral somewhere, either in the genset itself or the main wiring connection in the house panel. An open neutral in the main wiring will put approximately 240v across any device plugged in downstream.

If you have a 30 amp house panel, then as suggested above you've definitely got a problem with too high of a voltage from the generator.

Either condition will fry a load, even if it isn't turned on. As long as a device is plugged in to an outlet, there are many components inside that are energized whether the device is in use or not.

Here is a link I found to help you determine the exact service you have, and how to troubleshoot the problem:

RV Electric

The first thing I would do is look for the obvious. While disconnected from shore power and with the generator off, open your house panel and look for anything obvious like loose and/or blackened wires on the bus bars and breakers. Best of luck to you.

Keith

[wa8yxm]

I will agree with the suggestion to check voltage out

Go to your main breaker box, with the generator off and no sore power hook up a volt meter to the main breaker and to the WHITE bus.

Now turn off all breakers, main and branch

Start the generator.. Note the voltage.. I'm guessing you will read wy more than 120 volts, pssibly more than 240 volts.

If so the voltage regulator is shot and/or there are other issues.

NOTE: if an Onan is that far out of spec.. It is supposed to auto-stop.

[trainsktg]

Oh yeah...another thing. If you've already 'let the smoke out' of certain devices, they're toast. Unplug them before you energize the panel again, or they might catch fire.


Keith