3 phase generator

[Southside]

What voltage do you want?

[trimguy]

I thought I wanted 240V ?? Is there an upside or downside to 208v versus 240v ?

[Southside]

Well technically 240V would draw less for the same work, but it would not really be an appreciable number.  The important thing is what voltage your motors are set up to run at.  

[trimguy]

 

 

 

 
Here is the tags off my 3 machines. 208v on all , and 220-230 on all. I don't know that it matters to me as long as I can get them all to work.

[Southside]

The only common voltage to all three is 208. The first one is 208/220  You have an alternator that is specd for 208.  I would check the taps, set it up for 208, verify voltage, and call it a day.  

[trimguy]

This voltage output is confusing. If it is a 208 as tagged I think 1 lead would read 110V. If it has been reconnected for 480V, one lead to neutral should read 277V.  257V is right in between and I don't think the rpm is far enough off to do that but it's not dead so there has to be a fix.

Is this right, 208v then one lead should be 110 ? Thanks southside , I hope to get a chance to mess with it today.

[Magicman]

Regardless of the voltage, the Hz has to be 60Hz  (cps)  and the correct RPM/load should keep it there.  The governor has to function properly.

[21incher]

This may not be relevant here but to check my RV generator volts and hz I had to use a meter rated for true RMS otherwise the readings were not accurate. I have no idea what the difference was.

[moodnacreek]

This voltage output is confusing. If it is a 208 as tagged I think 1 lead would read 110V. If it has been reconnected for 480V, one lead to neutral should read 277V.  257V is right in between and I don't think the rpm is far enough off to do that but it's not dead so there has to be a fix.

Is this right, 208v then one lead should be 110 ? Thanks southside , I hope to get a chance to mess with it today.

That is correct, with 208 service you get 110 off 1 lead and 208 single phase off 2 [if I remember] and 208 3 phase of all three leads. This means if you need 110 for controls or anything you don't need a transformer.

[scsmith42]

My advice is to fix the governor problem first, as that is most likely the source of your high voltage at low load and low voltage at high load problem.

Once the governor is operating properly you can tweak it for the proper voltage.

Personally I'd set it up for 230VAC at 60Hz.  208 will require larger wires and 220 / 230 are basically interchangeable voltages as far as the motor's are concerned.

[trimguy]

The tester I picked up just happen to be a true RMS. And that's where my luck ran out. Found wiring diagram to wire to 208 bolts. I wired it up, Everything checked good. Plug the tablesaw in, Everything's good. Plug the planner in, Everything's good, RPM's dropped to 1664 and the planner was up to speed. Was checking a couple other things, the planner started to slow down, how old out to the generator it was idled down And the magic smoke was coming out of the alternator. Now it is locked up. I'm just a little ticked and frustrated with myself at the moment. I want to thank everybody that commented and give me ideas to do on this, I really appreciate it. Now I have to figure something else out I guess.

[mike_belben]

Sorry to hear man.  


Does it have a belt drive "hoof" governor?  

[Oliver05262]

I know you said the smoke was coming out of the alternator, but I would be concerned about piston damage that occurred before you found and removed that rat's nest around the cylinders. The air cooled Deutz engines do not tolerate restrictions to the air flow and I've been down that route. Got real acquainted with Mike's old employer in Ludlow, MA.

[mike_belben]

I did work there for a spell, grew up right down the street. 

[hedgerow]

I know you said the smoke was coming out of the alternator, but I would be concerned about piston damage that occurred before you found and removed that rat's nest around the cylinders. The air cooled Deutz engines do not tolerate restrictions to the air flow and I've been down that route. Got real acquainted with Mike's old employer in Ludlow, MA.

I totally agreed with this statement. I would hate to guess how many air cooled Deutz and Wisconsin engines I have had to overhaul because of mice nest. They don't run very long with the air fins plugged before its scored a piston and cylinder. I don't even start one that's set very long without opening up the tin on the engine. 

[trimguy]

Mike, I'm going to say it doesn't. Does that make it better or worse ?


I ran it a couple of times after I cleaned the rats nest out. I realize that the damage could have already been started. Maybe that's better news, the engine could be rebuilt . I don't know if that alternator can be.When I get a chance I will Separate them and see which ones locked up. I have a lot going on, probably shouldn't have taken the time to mess with it. But, I was a little excited, just wanted to run one board through