Forum Discussion

sundance_8's avatar
sundance_8
Explorer
Nov 15, 2012

Generac Failure Again

For the second time I have had a Generac generator stop producing electricity due to a major failure. The first was on my National Dolphin after about 340 hours the stator went out.
This time on my 2002 Tradewinds the Generac LP65 had rotor failure after 315 hours. I was able in both cases to remove the genset and repair it myself. But this time it was quite frustrating.
After teardown and reassembly today was the day to reinstall it. Got everything back in place and hooked up. Started the unit and it ran fine.....but still not producing electricity. After doing all the diagnostics again everything seemed to check out except current draw thru the rotor rings.
Well the new OEM brushes and holder were the problem. It seems that the mounting ears are a little too thick and allow the lower brush to contact both rings at the same time. Therefore no flash voltage and no power.
After grinding down the ears a little and reinstalling everything works.
Just sharing and venting in case anybody else is changing their brushes and runs into problems. I've also advised Generac.
  • I've got one of their contractor frame sets, 5500w. and it seems to be reliable for the limited use it sees. I've also had hands-on experience with larger Kato units and they are the best. Funny story, Mex, but it's always good to get a little reward for work done right.
  • :B That is funny. I am less than satisfied with Generac product. I sold their home standby units and had a lot of grief with unhappy customers.
  • Weigh a Generac 20 KW stator, a LIMA 20 KW stator and a KATO 20 KW stator.

    After which, Generac owners are entitled to start weeping.


    Generac would be far better off making a DC generator and bolt it to someone else's inverter.

    I got called out on a long-distance service all in Inyo County California. A 12.5 KW Generac. It ran fine but developed no power. There were bullet holes in the generator end! "Sum@#$%^&! fourth time it quit on us so I shot it!" Gold miners. I raced back 200 miles and snagged a LIMA and had the thing going in a couple of days. Out of the blue several months later the guy shows up at the plant bearing a forty pound box of outrageously expensive fillet Mignon steaks. In dry ice. "It's still workin'" he quipped. He slammed the box down on the counter then turned around and walked off.
  • I have had a lot of problems with mine this past 12 months ... hoping for a better year this year
  • The engines in both cases have run like champs, but not so with the generator sections.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Which is sad cause Genrac's industrial size are decent "Transmissions"

    (This comes from a sort of joke, The office I used to work at was a site that absolutely, positively HAD to have reliable power.. So we had a natural gas fueled big block Chevy V-8 with a Genrac Transmission.. Worked good too).

    (I mean LIVES depended on that generator).

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,193 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 28, 2025