Generator Voltage Too High!!!

[legryz]

Today I was checking some stuff with the generator running the ac units and checked the voltage output at the receptacle's and the ac unit and it read 155+ volts. The generator is a Generac Primepact 55G in a 2002 Dolphin. I've read posts on lower voltage but none on high voltage. I'm thinking voltage regulator but not sure, yet, any help on suggestion would help.
So far it doesn't seem like I fried anything but I need to fix this before I do.

Thanks

[JRMEDPHYS]

Originally Posted by legryz

Today I was checking some stuff with the generator running the ac units and checked the voltage output at the receptacle's and the ac unit and it read 155+ volts. The generator is a Generac Primepact 55G in a 2002 Dolphin. I've read posts on lower voltage but none on high voltage. I'm thinking voltage regulator but not sure, yet, any help on suggestion would help.
So far it doesn't seem like I fried anything but I need to fix this before I do.

Thanks

Back up one step.

You need to check the output voltage under no load first. Either turn off all loads and measure the voltage at the output side of the gennie breaker or turn off the gennie breakers and measure the voltage on the input (gennie) side of the gennie breakers. If it's too high, I agree that it *might* be the VR. Start there.

[legryz]

Originally Posted by JRMEDPHYS

Back up one step.

You need to check the output voltage under no load first. Either turn off all loads and measure the voltage at the output side of the gennie breaker or turn off the gennie breakers and measure the voltage on the input (gennie) side of the gennie breakers. If it's too high, I agree that it *might* be the VR. Start there.

Thanks for the reply. I'm at the MH and doing some checking. With no load it's reading 128v, with one AC first and than the second it's reading the same 128v, so far things seem good, I'll keep adding to that and see what happens. Yesterday it was reading 155+v. What's up?

[JRMEDPHYS]

Are you sure it was 155VAC and not 115VAC? Under extreme load the voltage tends to droop, not increase.

[legryz]

Think I found the problem, the digital meter I was using yesterday is reading way wrong. When we were getting the high readings we checked it in my friends truck AC outlet and it read 114v but in the MH it read high 155+ volts. Today I brought my Fluke meter and its reading 123/124v with AC running when I turn on the water heater it drops to 119v. Seems to be OK, I was really concerned!
Thanks

One more thing, how many major appliances can be run off the Generator 5.5 kw? When I run both AC units and turn on WH or hair dryer the power kicks out. Generator keeps running, breaker don't trip just stops putting out power.

[JRMEDPHYS]

I'm glad you figured that out or we were going to have to start re-writing some electrical engineering textbooks.

Directly from your generac 55G manual...(NOTE: This is for reference only. Some newer appliances (esp. TV's) may draw less than this but you can use as a guide.)

3.14 WATTAGE REFERENCE GUIDE
Running Watts Battery Charger........................................... .......500
Belt Sander (3”).............................................. ..1000
Chain Saw............................................... .........1200
Circular Saw (6-12”) ............................800 to 1000
Disc Sander (9”) ..............................................1200
Hand Drill (1”) ................................................11 00
Hedge Trimmer........................................... .......450
Impact Wrench .................................................. 500
Lawn Mower .................................................. ..1200
Electric Range (one element)............................1500
Television ............................................1750 to 2000
Coffee Maker .................................................. ..1000
Electric Skillet........................................... .......1250
Hair Dryer............................................. ...........1200
Light Bulb .................................................. ........100
Microwave Oven ................................................70 0
Oil Burner on Furnace ......................................300
Oil Fired Space Heater (140,000 Btu) ................400
Radio .................................................. ......50 to 200
Slow Cooker .................................................. ....200
*Furnace Fan (1/3 HP)......................................1200
*Refrigerator .................................................. ....600
*Air Conditioner (12,000 Btu)..........................1700
*Compressor (1HP)..........................................200 0
*Deep Freeze .................................................. ....500
*Milk Cooler .................................................. ..1100
*Submersible Pump (1-1/2 HP)........................2800
*Submersible Pump (1 HP)..............................2000
*Paint Sprayer, Airless (1/3 HP) ........................600
*Table Saw (10”) ................................1750 to 2000

* Allow 2-1/2 times the listed watts for starting these devices.