Generator surges

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"I don't think points have been used for well over a quarter of a century. Correct me if I am wrong"

Can you condense your points?

I see what you did there.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"I don't think points have been used for well over a quarter of a century. Correct me if I am wrong"

Can you condense your points?

There are a lot of Motorhomes that are 25 years and older out there.

"I don't think points have been used for well over a quarter of a century. Correct me if I am wrong"

Can you condense your points?

turbojimmy wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
I don't think points have been used for well over a quarter of a century. Correct me if I am wrong.

The generator in question is a '97 (a fifth of a century). Not sure when they changed over. Mine's an '84.

My may have points and maybe not I will have to check.I think will replace the governor spring and if there are points (I am 69 so I know points) I will try replacing them. I pulled the carb apart and cleaned it and that fixed the rich problem. Use to surge all the time now only on big load runs fine no load and light load. There are three adjustments. One is were the governor rod is. the second is ideal speed jet and then there is is a big wheel in the back of the carb and that adjusts a jet not sure how that one works. There is one more the choke but that's adjusted and working fine.

Lynnmor wrote:
I don't think points have been used for well over a quarter of a century. Correct me if I am wrong.

The generator in question is a '97 (a fifth of a century). Not sure when they changed over. Mine's an '84.

I don't think points have been used for well over a quarter of a century. Correct me if I am wrong.

turbojimmy wrote:
Last year on our first trip out dry camping, the generator started to surge under a load again (I had "fixed" it with Sea Foam the year before and it had been fine). It ran fine with no load. With the air conditioner on, it would do a rhythmic up and down but continue running...for a few hours. Then it stopped taking a load at all - it would surge a few times and stall. Still, it ran fine unloaded. I asked in the smokstak forums and someone suggested points. Sure enough, new points cured it. It runs better than it ever has. Not saying that's your issue, but if you haven't changed them in a while (or ever) you might want to look into it. That is, of course, if your model still has points. If not, I'm sorry about the 45 seconds you just wasted reading this :)

Worth looking into thanks

Last year on our first trip out dry camping, the generator started to surge under a load again (I had "fixed" it with Sea Foam the year before and it had been fine). It ran fine with no load. With the air conditioner on, it would do a rhythmic up and down but continue running...for a few hours. Then it stopped taking a load at all - it would surge a few times and stall. Still, it ran fine unloaded. I asked in the smokstak forums and someone suggested points. Sure enough, new points cured it. It runs better than it ever has. Not saying that's your issue, but if you haven't changed them in a while (or ever) you might want to look into it. That is, of course, if your model still has points. If not, I'm sorry about the 45 seconds you just wasted reading this :)

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Governor issue. Want to sound like a "pro"? The governor is "hunting". Proper governor action is an ideal point found between throttle reaction time and sensitivity to changes in load.

Governor induced hunting is diagnosed as steady speed unloaded all throttle positions (load must be disconnected and max speed-increase limited to 65 Hz) Steady speed until an "x" load is reached then the engine speed will oscillate up and then down, not down and then up. An analog Hz meter helps diagnose this. The vibrating reed type is the best. Have those also gone the way of the dinosaur?

I used to fix gumming issues with a cleaner called Berryman's Chemtool. Probably isn't the same stuff these days due to EPA. With engine not running I squirted it through the spray can straw onto governor and carburetor shafts with engine shut off. Moving the throttle back and forth by hand. Then I applied turbine oil or 3 in 1 oil for lube. Note the shut down engine notation repeat.

If the above did not work I then tore into the governor itself which is not recommended unless you are familiar with governors.

Boy, I'll bet Woodward gets a pretty penny for their electronic governors these days. They cost $500.00 33 years ago. Swapped out the power NPN transistor and driver on both of mine and they have trucked onward.

Thanks this sounds like good advice.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Governor issue. Want to sound like a "pro"? The governor is "hunting". Proper governor action is an ideal point found between throttle reaction time and sensitivity to changes in load.

Governor induced hunting is diagnosed as steady speed unloaded all throttle positions (load must be disconnected and max speed-increase limited to 65 Hz) Steady speed until an "x" load is reached then the engine speed will oscillate up and then down, not down and then up. An analog Hz meter helps diagnose this. The vibrating reed type is the best. Have those also gone the way of the dinosaur?

I used to fix gumming issues with a cleaner called Berryman's Chemtool. Probably isn't the same stuff these days due to EPA. With engine not running I squirted it through the spray can straw onto governor and carburetor shafts with engine shut off. Moving the throttle back and forth by hand. Then I applied turbine oil or 3 in 1 oil for lube. Note the shut down engine notation repeat.

If the above did not work I then tore into the governor itself which is not recommended unless you are familiar with governors.

Boy, I'll bet Woodward gets a pretty penny for their electronic governors these days. They cost $500.00 33 years ago. Swapped out the power NPN transistor and driver on both of mine and they have trucked onward.

Thanks this sounds like good advice.