Generator Question - Onan 9KW - MDKAV

[First_Mate]

My boat has three switches on the main breaker panel for the generator.

1. A generator solenoid switch
2. Generator on/off switch
3. Start/shutdown button

The solenoids (there are three total) have a statement under them saying something like "do not turn off while engine is running".

Yesterday, I shut down the gen and hit the shutdown button, then while it was spinning down, I quickly hit the off switch and then the battery solenoid - probably 1 second before it completely stopped spinning.

Now while the generator is running, the gauge shows very low voltage (yellow LED around 11V most of the time - red LED occasionally). Is there a cause and effect here? Have I messed something up?

Other than the gauge reading low, the generator runs fine. Starts right up, runs smoothly, makes 120V, etc...

Any ideas?

 

[Hampton]

Maybe messed up the gauge. I don't know the names of the switches, but I was taught to turn the batt solenoid switch on first, then the on/off, then the start/shutdown button to start. Then, reverse the process to shut down. On my elec panel, it's looks like this. Start at the bottom left and work your way up and right to start, then to shutdown, start with the switch in the upper right and work your way left and down. Take your time. Let the genny spin down before moving on to the next switch.

My guess is that you disconnected the batt from the genny while it was still spinning which sent a high/erratic burst of voltage to the gauge. The battery acts like a shock absorber for electrical currents. Hopefully nothing worse.

 

[First_Mate]

Interestingly, this problem "fixed" itself over the weekend. hen I started up on Friday, it showed low voltage. When I checked Saturday afternoon, it was normal. Remained that way until I shut it down this evening.... Weird... But in a good way!