Forum Discussion
dcs1968
Jan 04, 2013Explorer
professor95 wrote:dcs1968 wrote:
Well I just got off the phone with tech support at Harbor Freight and for $22.43 I ordered an AVR and $2.92 a set of carbon brushes. Crossing my fingers that this will fix it. Thanks for the help.
Two types of voltage regulation are common on the 3,000 watt Chinese Gensets. Those that use a capacitor as a regulator do not have a brush set. Those that use a AVR or automatic voltage regulator will have a brush set. It is doubtful that your brushes have worn out. A more common problem is AVR failure due to too much heat. Since you were in the desert this seems likely. To cool the AVR air must be pulled over the module at the end of the generator shell (painted end cap). Air is pulled into the generator (actually an alternator) by a fan at the front of the generator shell next to the engine that has its outlet pointing down. When an AVR fails it is more common to have an extreme voltage rise - sometimes as high as 170 VAC. The loss of any voltage output can happen with AVR failure but is much less common.
Please post the results after you replace your AVR. If regulated output returns you might want to consider some of the modifications forum members have implemented to increase AVR cooling.
I replaced the brushes and the AVR and still no go. I am off to go buy the Champion 46533 and stop messing around with this Chicago Electric. The replacement parts they sold me were not direct replacement parts for my model. I was told they might work. Thanks for everyones input.
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