Florida hurricane Kohler 50kw Down

[floridamechanic]

Made it thru Debbie, Have a 50KW Kohler with Deere diesel engine, ran 20 plus hrs no problem, next day power company cut power for 12hrs, generator quit after 9 hrs, controller showing alt current/alt shutdown,a lot of info on this code but none on why can not clear it, here is the fun part can not clear the code on the kohler controller, have deere service adviser software and it shows no engine code, kohler software [sitetech] will not let it start with this code hung in the system, has amp402 controller best can figure, is 2012 generator with 290 hours run tine, Model 50REOZJD,located in Chiefland Fl if anyone knows someone who does this kind of work, sold Florida Land Clearing and 72years old now so not able to hoss around anymore, if anyone has some advice sure let me know will go try whatever you suggest, thanks in advance.

 

[crane operator]

@Birken Vogt @MarshallPowerGen are the two guys around here that know generators. They may be able to help you.

 

[Legdoc]

In depth research in process for multiple generator purchases. If you have a 50Kw is must be an industrial water cooled 1800RPM. Based on my findings be happy you don't have a Generac homeowner grade unit. Houston area is full of people with inoperable units with many poor dealers to support their units many of which were purchased through big box store with faulty installs of a low quality unit to begin with.
Directly regarding your situation ask your honest and qualified technician if you can find one if the factory unit's control can be replaced with a generic one like Deep Sea Controls. That way your not held hostage by Kohler.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Made it thru Debbie, Have a 50KW Kohler with Deere diesel engine, ran 20 plus hrs no problem, next day power company cut power for 12hrs, generator quit after 9 hrs, controller showing alt current/alt shutdown,a lot of info on this code but none on why can not clear it, here is the fun part can not clear the code on the kohler controller, have deere service adviser software and it shows no engine code, kohler software [sitetech] will not let it start with this code hung in the system, has amp402 controller best can figure, is 2012 generator with 290 hours run tine, Model 50REOZJD,located in Chiefland Fl if anyone knows someone who does this kind of work, sold Florida Land Clearing and 72years old now so not able to hoss around anymore, if anyone has some advice sure let me know will go try whatever you suggest, thanks in advance.

I don't understand your post completely. You have to be really precise or I can't decipher.

Exactly what code is shown? Over current?

Is there a chance it really did go over current or is this a false code? Normally an over current code would reset by just pushing the off button.

Have you tried power cycling the whole unit? Remove battery cable?

Sounds like the controller may be haywire, can't tell from here.

 

[reganj]

Is your problem with the engine not cranking and running or not generating power for your house?

Only thing I can offer is if your generator was not installed correctly with an anti back feed circuit or something to that effect, The power company has a way to send a pulse through the electrical lines to disable anything producing power to their grid to prevent the linemen from getting killed from the electrical shock.

 

[floridamechanic]

Yes the unit is an industrial water cooled HD unit, i Used to buy them from verizion, had verizon ship me units with the slab still attached, crazy worrld, is lock out tag out wired to be ''off'' the power company line when in use, the max alt current code that will not clear is common problem from what everyone is saying on net, only one post with a 60kw who was not able to clear but did not say what was remedy, an yes there are horror stories all over generator world on the 1800 propane units they peddle to folks, spit the windings out if try run continous an propane will put you in the poor house, have had as many as 28 of these from verizon in my yard at a time loading them in containers with excavators to send to disaster sites in countries,@Birken Vogt @MarshallPowerGen, will contact these folks today and see what they say, is tank mounted unit so can winch it up on hyd dovetail gooseneck and take it to them, thanks all for the response is dang sure apperciated.

 

[floridamechanic]

I don't understand your post completely. You have to be really precise or I can't decipher.

Exactly what c

I don't understand your post completely. You have to be really precise or I can't decipher.

Exactly what code is shown? Over current?

Is there a chance it really did go over current or is this a false code? Normally an over current code would reset by just pushing the off button.

Have you tried power cycling the whole unit? Remove battery cable?

Sounds like the controller may be haywire, can't tell from here.

ode is shown? Over current?

Is there a chance it really did go over current or is this a false code? Normally an over current code would reset by just pushing the off button.

Have you tried power cycling the whole unit? Remove battery cable?

Sounds like the controller may be haywire, can't tell from here.

 

[floridamechanic]

I turn controller to overview and turn dial to 'yes' to clear and it clears code, when hit auto it returns and will not crank, pulled alt wires off at alternator and tried it and same thing, have pulled battery wires and left it for hour, again same thing, hooked deere dealer level service advisor software to engine and shows 'no codes' do not have kohler software, can get it from my pirate guys and may have to, going to tackle it again today as have anothe storm coming our way in week or so, thanks for answering me.

 

[MarshallPowerGen]

Sorry, didn't see any alerts with the @ stuff.

Are you certain it's an AMP402 and not the original DEC3000? They look the same, but AMP is the replacement.

 

[floridamechanic]

Not "sure" of anything about the gen end on these things, diesel end not a issue, here is where I am as of today, forgot about three years ago had it quit, guy told me they were famous for the printed board on the end called exciter/avr were famous for trouble, ordered one and the new one was heavier and was a 6 bolt plate were the old one was 3 bolt, put it on and was back in business, now have two guys telling me sounds like avr so ordered another newer updated one will be here tomorrow, hard to get anyone here that knows anything about the commercial cell tower units, thank you for taking time to educate me, all earsready to learn

 

[floridamechanic]

Forgot to add when code said max alt current, i thought it meant alternator on motor, soooo.... i replaced alternator, then after gathering some more info was told folks in generator world call the generator end ''the alternator'' which is ecactly what it is, so as always my education comes late and with a costly bill,

 

[MarshallPowerGen]

You're not dealing with an engine issue, it's on the generator side. Plenty of issues with the photo boards/rotating rectifiers on those (not sure if it's an FRX end), but biggest issue is the brain farts the MEC3K controllers have that have pushed for the APM replacements.

Need you to confirm your controller make and firmware version.

 

[floridamechanic]

OK, will get numbers off controller and get back with you

 

[floridamechanic]

 

[floridamechanic]

Have pics of photo board waiting to load, live in sticks/swamp

 

[floridamechanic]

while we talking do you happen to have one of those cummins/onan with the 4bt 50kw, have had a dozen and now wish had kept 1 or 2 with the analog gauges, like the old style stuff, or what woul you buy if you wanted dependable, really do not need but 20kw for house and shop, have soft start on my 5 ton ac.

 

[MarshallPowerGen]

Yep, that's the DEC controller, not an APM. Shoot me a PM, should be able to help on Kohler Sitetech and I might have a couple of personality files that would be worth a shot with what you have before replacing the controller.

 

[floridamechanic]

pm sent, never done this before, 73 tough in this world lol