generator // electric help needed

S

steelhead

New member
Hello,

I am having trouble with a generator. (Honda ES 6500) It is about 15 years old and runs great.
The regular household outlet works fine and I just used it for a variety of tools last week.
I am having problems with the L5-30 outlet. I use that outlet to charge 4 large 12v batteries for my off the grid cabin.

I also have a Yamaha 2800i generator and a cheap Champion generator. When using either of those to charge the system it works fine. The inverter message system indicates that a charge is being accepted (usually when the batteries are down and I start charging it is +35a) for both the Yamaha and Champion.

When I use the Honda I only get error messages from the inverter message system. I dropped the unit off at a Honda dealer and they can find nothing wrong.

It isn't the cable because I use the same for all 3 units.

Any electricians or generator specialists have an idea of what may be causing this?????
 
S

snoeatr

Member
You can check the polarity of the receptacle. If using a meter the hot is prong counterclockwise from the ground. Ground has the 90 degree on prong. Test from hot to nuetral and hot to ground should have 120volts on both. If you dont have a meter take receptacle out and verify nuetral is on white screw not brass. Its best to check this with meter also because the connection into generator could be reversed as well. And if all else fails just use on of your other generators
 
S

steelhead

New member
The unit is still at the Honda dealer.
I would think they would have checked that but I will follow-up.
THey said that it is putting out normal power from that outlet. They said that they used a pretty expensive, sophisticated meter.
I can't understand why this unit isn't powering the batteries but the other two are. Hmmm.
 
S

snoeatr

Member
If polarity is correct the only other thing i can think of is if output is not at 60 HZ. Its hard to say what kind of protection is built into the inverter. Hope dealer finds problem good luck
 
hermie

hermie

Well-known member
In likely reversed polarity unless someone took off the receptacle and changed it. The hot should be on gold and neutral on silver. Klein makes a meter that can check the frequency. You can get it at home depot for around 130.00. The frequency is controlled by the speed of the generator. Does the generator sound like it is revving higher or slower than normal.
 
S

steelhead

New member
No, the generator sounds just right and seems to run perfectly.
I have to pick it up from the Honda dealer today. I got the name of an independent elec. mechanic who is supposed to be really good.
Maybe I'll drop it off with him and have him try to figure it out.
 
hermie

hermie

Well-known member
That is a strange problem especially being a Honda. They make a good product. Let us know if you get it figured out.
 
S

skeeter2010

Member
I would recommend calling the manufacture of the inverter I am guessing they have dealt with this problem before and will know how to direct you.

The Honda generator may have some kind of protection the others do not.
This may not be something a Honda small engine dealer is fully equipped to handle and you may be better off taking it to a generator shop or electric motor shop that has the ability to not only look at voltage output but also frequency output and could load test the generator.
Where are you located? I may be able to suggest a company in your area or get you a contact
 
S

steelhead

New member
I just checked with inverter guy.
He said it is almost certainly the frequency. He said that there is a very, very tight range. There is an adjustment for this on the generator so I will take it to the cabin and work the adjustment while it is plugged in and see if that solves the problem.
Thanks!!
 
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