voltage regulator issue on genset

[check4pulse]

Hello All,

Hope to get some advice from you experianced ones here.
We on the road and the genset stopped running. Shop in
the area said the voltage regulator is bad, needs replaced.
Does not have, he called parts house in another town and they
have.
Shop guy says we can change it ourselves easily.

Any thoughts, advice? This is a 98 Onan Emerald genset.
Mainly I see no way to disconnect power to the genset without
disconnecting all the batteries.

Anyone with more knowledge and experiance please advise.
Cannot get back on the road without the roof a/c running.

[clyon51]

With generator not running, just replace regulator. No need to disconnect anything.

[JRMEDPHYS]

I would disconnect the batteries before starting to work on the generator for a couple reasons...first so no one can start it while your hands are in there and second because there is still live DC voltage on some wires from the batteries even with the generator switched off.

Safety first.

[Jim_HiTek]

Voltage regulators are often misdiagnosed as bad if the testing procedure isn't followed carefully. There are two slip rings in the genset that need to be cleaned periodically...especially if the genset is low hours and hasn't been run enough.

A square 1/4" stick with a piece of emery cloth glued to the end that you put on the rings while it's running or cranking over may restore your genset for a couple bucks.

Here are the guys with the troubleshooting guide: http://www.flightsystems.com/Onan_ge...g_services.htm

[Whoachubby]

Just changed voltage regulated last week.

Has one or two screws holding it in place.

Generator guy unplugged old one and plugged in new one before he took it out and confirmed it was the problem.

My beef was that they charged me over $500.00 for the part.

Checked later and found it online for $199.00.

Just take screws out unplug and plug in new one.

[smith45]

Advice on Flight Systems was right on. You can call Dan at 1 800 403 3728 and he can walk you thru the fix. They also have parts at fair price.. Had me up and running in no time..

Good Luck, Chuck

[PyrateSilly]

Find out the part number and look for it online.
The previous owner had the voltage regulator changed out 7/15/2009 at a cost of $100 and then again in 1/6/2011 for a cost of $68. Those prices were just for the part and did not include labor
We did some research and found the part at an auto parts store for $25. And that was at whats usually considered one of the more expensive auto parts stores.