Dave,
I had undervoltage on an eco-gen when the programming accidentally got
changed to 240V when it is a 120V unit.
John B.
On Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 5:13 AM, Darryl Thayer <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello David, I have had that problem on other generators.
> I have had similar problems not with an Eco gen but with a couple of other
> propane generator models. The problem occurs during cold weather. The
> problem was poor gas supply pressure and the problem was I could not
> convince anyone that was the problem until I demonstrated low pressure at
> the generator. (One of your early tests should be to remove the loads)
>
> At - 20 F propane has very low vapor pressure the root cause may be in any
> of 6 places or a combination of problems. How to diagnose if this is the
> problem. Go to the pressure regulator at the unit. (Unit pressure
> regulator not the zero pressure regulator) It is supposed to drop the
> pressure from 15 PSI or whatever it is to 6" to11" WC. Put a pressure
> gauge or manometer on the pressure tap of this regulator. Start the
> generator, does the pressure maintain? If the pressure drops below 6" WC
> the genny will not develop enough power to get up to speed and cut out on
> low voltage. (the engine is fuel starved) If the pressure maintains 6" or
> above check the throttle positioning motor. Be sure the throttle is free
> to operate and responds quickly. There also could be a problem with the
> zero pressure regulator. (see below)
>
> Fixing the problem. (I am going to try to attach a teaching unit I have
> developed for my advanced solar class) Propane systems in cold climates or
> exceptional temperature drops. The system consists of 1) Storage tank, 2)
> Storage tank regulator, 3) Supply line from the storage tank to the unit
> regulator, 4) Unit regulator, 5) Zero pressure regulator, 6) Throttle
> positioning motor/system. Of these potential problems, the two most common
> are the supply line from the tank to the unit regulator and unit
> regulator.
>
> 1) Storage Tank: the tank itself has to have sufficient volume to have
> enough evaporative surface supply the generator if the tank is too small
> the tank pressure drops on supplying the genny. (I recommend a larger than
> 250-gallon tank for generator installations). Also, low tank fill
> exacerbates this problem, the tank should be half full or more. Is the
> tank in a location where it can get some winter sun? In extreme climates I
> recommend the tank be buried. Can your tank be warmed in any way?
>
> 2) Tank Regulator: the pressure regulator at the tank reduces the tank
> pressure to a line pressure of 15 PSI during the summer. During the winter
> it reduces it to slightly below the tank pressure. The pressure drop of
> this regulator has never been a deciding factor. (only a minor
> contributor.) .
>
> 3) Line from Tank Regulator to Unit Regulator: the pressure drop in the
> line from the tank to the genny has often been a problem. Most Propane
> installers want to use 3/8" OD copper line from the tank regulator to the
> unit regulator. This is fine for the summer, it will have to big a
> pressure drop at gen run, but there is lots of pressure in the summer. I
> recommend a 5/8" inch OD copper line in all but the shortest of runs (where
> I use 1/2"OD) distances from the tank to the genny. This line should, of
> course, be buried. (I like 2 feet) this line has been one of my big
> problems. in that is the line to the generator being too small. The
> adequacy of the system to this point is tested by the pressure tap on the
> unit regulator.
>
> 4) Unit Regulator: In my experience, these will some tines stick either
> open or closed. This is the coldest point in the system and sometimes
> collect moisture. freezing in the winter. It does not sound like your
> problem.
>
> 5) good luck I am going to bed.
> the during warm weather this is not a problem only during cold weather the
> second regulator is at the generator which reduces the propane line
> pressure 2 about 11 inch water column this regulator I've had stick because
> it picks up a little bit of moisture and the pressures it is working with
> are very small. If the line is big enough if the regulator is not stuck or
> have a little bit of moisture overtime collecting it then the next place
> where the gas is regulated is that what I call a zero pressure regulator
> the zero pressure regulator drops the gas pressure to just about
> atmospheric when the carburetor (Venturi) passes air and Bernuli draws gas
> from the zero pressure regulator. On the engine starting they pressure drop
> due to Velocity induces gas in the engine these zero pressure regulators
> are also a potential problem the correct diagnosis is to put a pressure
> gauge on the fittings and regulators perhaps the easiest one is to put the
> pressure gauge you can use a manometer at the pressure reducing regulator
> at the generator measure that pressure it should be again about 15 psi in
> water column 11 in water
>
>
> On Mon, Jan 8, 2018 at 6:13 PM, David Palumbo <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> > I am troubleshooting a 6kw EcoGen LP gas generator in my neighborhood
> that
> > starts quickly
> > • but immediately shuts down with an “Under Voltage” shutdown alarm
> > • I can clear shutdown alarm and restart with same result. I tried this a
> > few times with same result. One of the start attempts included a back
> fire
> > before shutting down.
> > • Generator was recently run successfully for a few hours during a cold
> > snap. Started after several attempts at -10 F.
> > • According to the EcoGen manual this Under Voltage alarm is triggered
> “If
> > the generator voltage falls below 85% of nominal for more than 15
> > seconds”. This definitely isn’t happening as the generator starts as
> usual
> > but shuts down within one or two seconds.
> > I will check for fouled spark plugs tomorrow. Anything else that might be
> > the problem?
> >
> > David Palumbo
> > Independent Power LLC
> > Hyde Park, VT
> > 802-371-8678 voice or text
> >
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