Generator woes, won’t start

Almightys

Almightys

Super Moderator
Staff member
Jun 15, 2015
666
Warren, MI
Boat Info
1995 500 DA with diesel loving Detroit’s
(SOLD)1992 Sundancer 330
Engines
6v92 Detroit Diesel
So last night before heading out on our cruise, I tried to start generator with. I luck. Blowers turn on, but no preheat or generator turning over at all. I went down below this morning to see if it was the battery. Measured over 12v at battery with meter. I did turn off the chargers prior to this. I am not sure where to start. Of course all my manuals are at home for the westerbeke. It’s a diesel genny and in my 500 sundancer.
Looking for $02 where to start?
 
Is the the breaker on the side of it? I did make sure that was switched up to on.
I’m Stumped.
 
It’s got to be something stupid I’m not seeing ugh
 
There’s not really enough info here to help you troubleshoot. What year, make and model of boat and generator? Is there no sign of life at all in the generator or does it crank but not start or does it sputter then die? Is the shore power still connected or disconnected? Depending on what it is and isn’t doing will determine where to begin the troubleshooting process.
 
It’s in my 500 sundancer 95. It’s a westerbeke, it does not crank or sputter. Preheat and run controls at the panel and generator are dead.it’s plugged in to shore power so no draw on generator. Usually when you hit pre heat and run button the light on panel would go on. Only the blowers turn on.
 
Not sure what model generator but there may be an 8 amp fuse in the side of the control box that the gauges are on. If so, unscrew that knob and take out the fuse and see if it’s blown.
 
The shore power mains should be both turned off so there is no accidental shorting of the power between the shore and the generator. After that if there is no 12 volt power to the control board you'll have to trace the wiring from the generator battery to the generator controls to find the fault. Is there a separate battery switch that turns power on or off to the unit? It also sounds like there is no power coming through your control panel from the battery. Do you know if the control panel has a resettable breaker for the 12 volt parts that perhaps has tripped and you can reset? The only other thing that comes to mind is that the generator maybe has a control box of some sort that has failed. Wish I could be more helpful but its likely going to require a marine electrician/mechanic who is familiar with the system set up to diagnose the problem properly.
 
Figured it out after seeking the fuse. This little switch on back of control box was flipped off. Cleaning bilge at end of season and must have flipped it ugh. Well now I have an extra boat buck for diesel now lol.
upload_2022-6-12_11-10-14.jpeg
 
bbwhitejr said:
Glad it was something that simple!

Bennett
Click to expand...
Tha is for everyone’s suggestions. I knew it had to be something that simple. Thanks god the 500 has somewhat of a navigable bilge
 
Since were talking generators. I have the same model westerbeke. It starts and runs fine but does not show its charging on the volt gauge. Also when its running and I turn the breakers on to switch from shore power to gen power it's not producing any power. Worked fine last fall other than it was not charging the battery.
 
Dono10 said:
Since were talking generators. I have the same model westerbeke. It starts and runs fine but does not show its charging on the volt gauge. Also when its running and I turn the breakers on to switch from shore power to gen power it's not producing any power. Worked fine last fall other than it was not charging the battery.
Click to expand...
Just had similar issue on my 2001. Turned out it is a loose cable connecting the generator to the charger. Swapping out the charger. Appears to be the original.
 
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