Built-in generator runs but no power??

[Bill Balme]

I have a similar problem... I have a NextGen 5.5KW generator that stopped producing power. Replacing the capacitor did not work.

I have taken the alternator (Markon BL105) to a rewinding house. They have tested all the windings and found them to be fine. We have replaced the diode/varistor assembly (twice now). They have assembled the alternator, flashed it and tested it at speed - no power output.

They are stumped! So am I! Any ideas?

[a64pilot]

Call Nexgen, the guy there may can help

[Bill Balme]

In touch with Ken at NextGen - he's stumped too!

[Noisykate]

Update -
Capacitors all good.
Did the remagnetising thing as per manual - no change.
Checked other ‘obvious’ stuff in control box - connections all clean and sound.

I think we have reached the limit of our competence. Do we pay someone to come in and diagnose the problem (quoted 200US by a local firm) or do we replace it with a portable unit? Money is a bit tight atm to replace it with an equivalent built-in unit. A usable air-cooled briefcase or portable unit would be £7-900.

[smac999]

have you checked for AC output at the gen? make sure it's not just a breaker off. there should be an AC breaker on or near the gen.

failing that. definatly get it looked at. if it's easy to fix, get it fixed. maybe he will have it running in 15 mins. if they tell you something really bad. and quote thousands. then make that choice after it's looked at and you know things.

personally no portable gen should be on a boat. you are basically saying you can't afford to do it correctly and safely. so maybe you will do it wrong instead. that is not how you do things on a boat. lives are at stake. yours, other boaters, and coast guard members.

[Noisykate]

The company who said they’d look at it now say we have to get it out of the boat for them.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Noisykate

The company who said they’d look at it now say we have to get it out of the boat for them.

It’s entirely possible to diagnose failure of these generators while in the boat.....imho, find another company.

[Montanan]

Check the stator for resistance and short abnormalities. Reference video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8MmrXsEpjQ

Good luck

[Noisykate]

Thanks again for all the help, folks.

Will try the stator test video, and then have another look for a local specialist who can look at it in situ. Boat is currently off Coco Beach, near(ish) to Orlando, Florida - any recommendations for a good local person who might help us?

[Mark Thurlow]

And what was the resolution of the issue?

[Noisykate]

The resolution is - a new generator, sadly.

A trusted specialist got it out of the boat, and found the winding had failed, and the engine seized.

We think seawater got into the workings after an otherwise trivial leak was not caught early enough.

It broke down while we were away such that a proper fix was not an option. We bought a small cheap portable which lived on deck until we were able to get back across the pond with it.

Sorry, not much to learn from it other than - soundproof boxes make excellent corrosion accelerators if they get wet inside!