Standby generator issues

[thammel]

I have a winco 8kw standby generator with an ASCO transfer switch. Everything has worked great until this weekend. Lights flashing on ASCO...uh-oh. Bottom line is generator is not putting out voltage/power. Winco guy says it's likely the excitation capacitor. I ordered it - 40 mfd. I took out the old one and measured it at 35.5 mfd. I can't believe that's the problem. Thoughts? So maybe the diodes. I've got some work to do!!

Thanks for any comments!
Tom

 

[BillK]

Might be a stupid question but is the generator actually turning ? I have seen guys get thrown for a loop by something simple like that

 

[wyliesdiesels]

if the rating is supposed to be 40 and you had 35, that will definitely mess things up. pop it in and try it out. if its still not working, then move to the next component

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depending on how the internals of the generator are wired, you might need to "flash" the rotor.

Less likely. bad brushes and or dirty slip rings.

 

[The Cobbler]

f the rating is supposed to be 40 and you had 35, that will definitely mess things up. pop it in and try it out. if its still not working, then move to the next component

capacitors have a tolerance of at least 10% so yours is close to in the ballpark .it could be that or not. James Condon on You Tube has some great videos on checking the stator & rotors on generators. might be worth searching some of his videos

 

[35Ford]

I'd also guess dirty slip rings.

 

[ToolsRCool]

If it is capacitor, then it is a brushless gen head. Likely capacitor or rotor diode(s) as he suspected. Be sure to match the voltage and temp rating of the existing cap when replacing, they are both fairly high if I remember correctly.

You could try "flashing" it, but I've seldom seen that actually work. Use a corded drill, hold the trigger in, and spin the chuck quickly by hand or with another drill.

 

[Jack Ryan]

if the rating is supposed to be 40 and you had 35, that will definitely mess things up. pop it in and try it out. if its still not working, then move to the next component

When the new one arrives, measure that, it may not be much different.

Jack

 

[thammel]

Yes, this is a brushless generator. LOL, I presume the generator is spinning; the engine certainly is. I really appreciate all the comments!