kellerleo Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 It seems as tho my Kohler genset is not supplying power to the coach in my 1993 Itasca Spirit. The 25amp circuit protector is on, and the shore power plug is plugged into the receptacle right next to the genset. No power. When plugged in to shore power, the cord works just fine, but as said, not when using the genset as a source of power. Any suggestions for this newbie? Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanman Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 On ours there is another ckt breaker on the generator it's self. You have to open the access door and lift out the access panel to get to it. Might be the problem?? John and Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Is there a breaker on the gen set? Onan's have one I'm not sure about the Kohler. They also have to turn up the revs to make power does it sound like is reving up or just idling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellerleo Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 hmmm, there is a 25 amp circuit protector on the front of the genny, with an "on off" function. that is "on" where apparently it is suppose to be. As for another one, not that i am aware of. Also, i fire it up, then it idles, and i don't rev it more. Should i, do i do this by just pulling on the throttle cable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 hmmm, there is a 25 amp circuit protector on the front of the genny, with an "on off" function. that is "on" where apparently it is suppose to be. As for another one, not that i am aware of. Also, i fire it up, then it idles, and i don't rev it more. Should i, do i do this by just pulling on the throttle cable? The generator has to turn 3600 rpm to make proper power. If there is a switch on the generator that's it you might try turning it off and then back on but that will do nothing for a non reving problem. I don't know of a cable but there is governor linkage that controls the engine speed you would need to be careful manually reving the engine up because it can make far more electricity than you need! If you have access to a volt meter you can plug it into the 30 amp output socket then slowly bring the engine speed up and see where your voltage goes. The Kohler generator is fairly crude and the governor system fairly simple try playing with it with out the generator running and see if every thing moves freely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Is there a transfer switch from Gen to shore power? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellerleo Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 Dont believe there is a transfer switch no. Is there? If there is, i have yet to find it. In my manual it basically says to fire it up and it should be at the right rpm? Still not giving power to the coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandview bill Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 There is no transfer switch, where you plug in the cord takes care of that function,The cable is the choke cable. There is no manual control of engine speed, the governor takes care of that. If the breaker is on check for output by using a small lamp with a 60 watt lamp to see if there is any AC output at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandview bill Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 also make sure all the breakers are in the ON position in the 120 panel board . Then plug in the lamp to a 120 receptacle, before adding any large loads like AC or microwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellerleo Posted June 2, 2014 Author Share Posted June 2, 2014 Ok, done all that. Checked breakers, put lamp on, and nothing. Even found the governor linkage and idled it up a touch, only by ear, to basically as high as sounded proper, (a little crude and inacurate i know) however, when doing this i had the lamp plugged in and nothing even when revved at a higher rpm. Still baffled. I need a voltmeter to really have a go i guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted June 3, 2014 Share Posted June 3, 2014 I gather you have the type of transfer switching with an outlet that the camper plug plugs into they are the most common and the simplest. There is not much that can go wrong but at this point you really do need a volt meter. I am not real familiar with the Kohler but it is very possible it has a small fuse for the exciter circuit on the generator it's self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 did you check the CB on the generator itself? that is the most likely cause. I do have digital manuals if you want them - send me an email if you want them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kensandiego Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 My Kohler works great on my 92 Winnebago but the governor stopped working, I just turn the lower idle screw on really high until I get the AC blowing strong or when the lights on the microwave stop flickering. I have used it this way for years no problem, It just starts up at high rev so I make sure something is plugged in and drawing power. Hope this works for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellerleo Posted June 11, 2014 Author Share Posted June 11, 2014 Problem solved. With the help of a volt meter and someone who knows how to use one, we found that the circuit protector was not working. Put some alligator clips on it to jump it across and there's power. New circuit protector ordered and we're good to go. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Problem solved. With the help of a volt meter and someone who knows how to use one, we found that the circuit protector was not working. Put some alligator clips on it to jump it across and there's power. New circuit protector ordered and we're good to go. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I would love to know where you found parts for this Kohler. I didn't know there were any parts left to be had. I need a starter. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I would love to know where you found parts for this Kohler. I didn't know there were any parts left to be had. I need a starter. Linda S Starter ought to be easy to find. Tecumseh only used two different starters that I know of with the OH140 and OHV140 engines used on Kohler 2.5 KW RV generators. Tecumseh went out of business but there are new starters available all over the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I would love to know where you found parts for this Kohler. I didn't know there were any parts left to be had. I need a starter. Linda S Have you tried a lawn mower shop Linda? A lot of the older stuff was used on riding lawn tractors also and were fairly common as to mounting. If you can find the same mounting chances are pretty high it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Have you tried a lawn mower shop Linda? A lot of the older stuff was used on riding lawn tractors also and were fairly common as to mounting. If you can find the same mounting chances are pretty high it will work. Like I said - Tecumseh only used two different starters on the medium frame and large frame engines like Kohler used on RV gensets. That is - only two 12 volt DC starters. There are also 120 volt AC starters. Those DC starters are available new from many places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 I'm assuming Linda has the Kohler 2.5 CMZ genset. That uses the now extinct Tecumseh TVM140 engine. That engine can use a 120 VAC starter or a 12 volt DC starter. Same as used on TVM125, HSK50, and HSK70 Tecumseh engines. $60 from DB Electrical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Cool I was just coming back to say that mine didn't seem to be the same as the first one you posted but you already found me the right one. All I could find were those 120 volt starters. Like I'm really going to have 120 available before I try to start a generator to make 120. The 12 volt one looks perfect Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thank heavens for the Chinese. That is why there are so many new starters around dirt-cheap. I've been buying brand-new starters for big diesel engines for $100 each. Can't rebuild them for that price. Tecumseh permanent-magnet starters were never rebuildable in any cost-effective way. When I worked for a Tecumseh dealer 30 years ago - new OEM 12 volt starters were often $200 or more. Now less then $100 which is pretty amazing. Some of these new starters are also better quality. I needed a small starter for my little 25 horse Yamaha outboard a few weeks ago. A new one from Yamaha was $238! I got a Chinese one for $59. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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