Community Forums

herzer15 · 03-12-2008, 07:50 PM

I have a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 30b with an onboard Onan Microquiet 4000 generator. When I run the generator and use the microwave, the clock on the microwave goes twice as fast. For example, I put 1 min on the microwave, press start and it counts down to 0 in abour 35 seconds. I dont have the problem when I am hooked up to regular 30amp service. Has anyone else had this problem or know where the problem might be? Thanks.

NeilV · 03-12-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by herzer15:
I have a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer 30b with an onboard Onan Microquiet 4000 generator. When I run the generator and use the microwave, the clock on the microwave goes twice as fast. For example, I put 1 min on the microwave, press start and it counts down to 0 in abour 35 seconds. I dont have the problem when I am hooked up to regular 30amp service. Has anyone else had this problem or know where the problem might be? Thanks.

It is probably time to have the genereator serviced. It may be off and not runnung at 60 cycles.

Hillbilly2 · 03-13-2008, 02:43 PM

I concour, frequency is probally what the internal timer uses, and if the frequency is high it will speed up the clock, You can buy a meter that measures frequency, but its pretty expensive for occasional use, around $200, you may be able to find a cheaper one though.

Route 66 · 03-13-2008, 03:01 PM

HERE is a good voltage and frequency meter for $75.

travel · 03-13-2008, 03:26 PM

A few years ago I purchased a small meter from a Sears store for $25.00 and it would show you your frequencies and voltage. Go there and buy one! It works great!

John Wayne · 03-13-2008, 05:24 PM

Do a search for a Kill-A-Watt you can get one for around 20-25.00 and will do more then just read frequencies.

Dsouthw524 · 03-14-2008, 03:33 AM

Get the generator fixed! If ou spend the money on these meters as recommended you will prove that you have a problem not fix te problem.

Tom N · 03-14-2008, 01:15 PM

A Kill-A-Watt meter, <$20, will read line frequency.

http://www.p3international.com/produ.../P4400-CE.html

-Tom

Wayne Dohnal · 03-14-2008, 08:01 PM

I doubt that the generator frequency is off by much. To count down a minute in 35 seconds the frequency would have to be about 103 Hz., and the engine would be turning over 6100 RPM instead of its normal 3600 RPM. I think you'd notice the obvious difference in running speed if the engine didn't blow. I'd guess that the generator's waveform is distorted, and that the microwave is counting some of the AC cycles as more than one cycle. The bottom line, however, is the same: Something is wrong with the generator.

paz · 03-15-2008, 03:29 AM

I think Wayne hit the nail on the head. Your sine wave is probably irregular - i. e., there are many jagged peaks within your frequency and the clock is reading these extra peaks.

Do you exercise your generator regularly? Onan recommends running it 2 hours a month under 50% load. This not only cleans old fuel out of the lines and carburettor, it dries out the windings and cleans the commutator and brushes. I suspect your commutator is corroded and your brushes are not making good contact.

Hillbilly2 · 03-15-2008, 05:55 AM

Yes, that could be a possibility, a scope meter would verify that. But I think the Freq meter would also pick this up to some degree, depending on the accuracy of the meter. When checking the frequency, does it vary a whole lot? Do the 120 volt lights flicker when on generator?