Hello - I’m looking for some help with my generator. I have a 2008 Kohler 7.3E with 311 hours. Last season the generator worked fine – started easy and had zero issues. Early this season (before I ever started it for the season) I had the impeller and oil/filter changed. Several weeks later I went to start the generator, it fired fine and ran for maybe 1 min. It ran long enough for the air to start blowing cold out of the air conditioner. Then the generator died and would not start – the switch was dead, nothing - the motor wasn’t turning over…etc. I said the heck with it and didn’t mess with it for the rest of the day.
I start some basic troubleshooting back at the dock and the 10amp input fuse on the main panel is blown. I replace the fuse, and as soon as I hit the start switch – the fuse blows. However, there have been a couple of times I can replace the fuse and the generator will fire and run for about 15secs and then dies – with a blown fuse. It only seems to start for the 15secs after it’s been sitting for a few days.
I was going through the troubleshooting steps in the service manual and it kicks me out of the troubleshooting flow chart with “replace fuse”. Not real helpful. I was able to go through some of the other troubleshooting steps just to learn about the system. I was able to narrow the issue down to whatever is connected through the P2 connection on the controller board. With P2 discounted – I can push the start button and the fuse doesn’t blow. With P2 plugged into the board – the fuse blows right away. A few other things I’ve tried – I leave the AC circuit breaker off, and I’ve made sure to leave the generator breaker on the boat off. (both the same thing I believe) Neither one of these things produces any different result. I’ve also tried disconnecting the voltage regulator and I get the same result – blown fuse.
I also called a local marine service place and they weren’t to helpful. They did say they were able to disconnect the AC side of the generator and get the motor to stay running as long as the held down the start button. They quoted me $15K to replace it. (sigh)
The other thing I noticed while messing with it this weekend – is there is a wire on the side of the motor that is not attached to anything. I’ve included a pic. I’m not sure what this is or if it’s even a concern. It sure would be nice if all I had to do was reconnect this wire and my problems were solved! [FONT="]
[/FONT] (I’ll keep dreaming)
I would appreciate any advise on how to troubleshoot this or if anyone has any ideas on a solution. I’ve called another service place that is supposed to be pretty good with generators – but I’ve been waiting 3 months. [FONT="][/FONT]
I start some basic troubleshooting back at the dock and the 10amp input fuse on the main panel is blown. I replace the fuse, and as soon as I hit the start switch – the fuse blows. However, there have been a couple of times I can replace the fuse and the generator will fire and run for about 15secs and then dies – with a blown fuse. It only seems to start for the 15secs after it’s been sitting for a few days.
I was going through the troubleshooting steps in the service manual and it kicks me out of the troubleshooting flow chart with “replace fuse”. Not real helpful. I was able to go through some of the other troubleshooting steps just to learn about the system. I was able to narrow the issue down to whatever is connected through the P2 connection on the controller board. With P2 discounted – I can push the start button and the fuse doesn’t blow. With P2 plugged into the board – the fuse blows right away. A few other things I’ve tried – I leave the AC circuit breaker off, and I’ve made sure to leave the generator breaker on the boat off. (both the same thing I believe) Neither one of these things produces any different result. I’ve also tried disconnecting the voltage regulator and I get the same result – blown fuse.
I also called a local marine service place and they weren’t to helpful. They did say they were able to disconnect the AC side of the generator and get the motor to stay running as long as the held down the start button. They quoted me $15K to replace it. (sigh)
The other thing I noticed while messing with it this weekend – is there is a wire on the side of the motor that is not attached to anything. I’ve included a pic. I’m not sure what this is or if it’s even a concern. It sure would be nice if all I had to do was reconnect this wire and my problems were solved! [FONT="]
[/FONT] (I’ll keep dreaming)I would appreciate any advise on how to troubleshoot this or if anyone has any ideas on a solution. I’ve called another service place that is supposed to be pretty good with generators – but I’ve been waiting 3 months. [FONT="]
[/FONT]
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