Generator problem?

[BradKW]

Over the past week we've had the motors burn out on a shop vac and a table saw...unfortunate coincidence that they were both powered by generator?

Today, my perfectly reliable shop vac became a smoking ruin, again running off the generator...and also through a GFI equipped cord.

So it seems 3 strikes puts this beyond coincidence, but I'm at a loss for what could be wrong and how to test or fix it...any ideas?

 

[29chico]

That generator probably has an AVR (automatic voltage regulator) to control the voltage.  A decent multi-meter that has AC voltage with RMS would be the first step to find out if the voltage is out of spec.  Google a small engine parts online retailer and search for you genny's model # and you can determine if it has a voltage regulator.

Knowing the hertz (aka Hz aka cycles per second) of the AC output would tell you if the engine turning too fast or too slow.  Better multi-meters often have the ability to do this.  Ideal would be 60 Hz.

 

[jimindenver]

A killawatt would be a great device for this. $20 and it tells you everything.

How long have you used the generator? It would take a scope to see the wave form to see if that could damage the motors. I know the dual voltage Champion open frames are not nearly as clean as the 120v only version. Still I never had this issue with our dual voltage unit.