Westerbeke 5.0 voltage

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yoeman

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2013
Messages
49
Location
Canada
Vessel Name
Mojo
Vessel Make
Tollycraft 34 tricabin
My Westerbeke 1999 5.0 deisel genset runs great but it was indicating only 110 volts on the Bayliner 3788 panel plus no ac ready light
Battery charging was fine so it was putting out
I was told that turning up the rpm would increase voltage and it did but just for a few seconds then ac dropped to almost 0
The rpm was factory set to 1800 but I had no reference to the adjusted rpm other then setting it from the hertz read out which we did later
No luck
The issue is now the voltage is less the 7
Checked at genset
I checked the main breaker on the panel and no dropped leg
I removed the capacitor and dc voltage regulator to look around for fuses but can't find any
No swollen capacitor or bad wires
I'm hoping I didn't damage the windings , stator
We're is the voltage regulator For ac on this unit and could that be the issue
I see they are almost $1000
Any ideas would help
I'm in the northwest and having a tough time getting anyone out to look at it
 
Sounds like what happened to my 8kw Westerbeke, needed a new back end as rewinding did not fix the problem.
 
Assuming this is the diesel 5.0BCD or similar. No voltage regulator, the capacitor is the closest thing to it.

110V is sort of normal, these do not have very accurate voltage control. I would not raise rpm to raise voltage.

Failed capacitor can do this, test it with a meter, some meters have a microfarad setting. Or replace it, motor shops keep them in stock.

The stators on these do not have a good rep. Many have to get replaced or rewound.
 
5.0 bcd

The engine runs fine but volts at the genset are below 10 volts
Rpm has been set to 1800
I'll try the capacitor test
I hope it's not the end as I was told they are 5 grand to rewind
Would the 5.0 bcd have this issue caused by the govenor like in the post?
Any ideas on a good place to call in or around Blaine wa?
 
If you increase the RPM would you not also increase the frequency. The objective for USA is 60 cycles and that is determined, as I understand it by RPM.
 
yoeman said:
My Westerbeke 1999 5.0 deisel genset runs great but it was indicating only 110 volts on the Bayliner 3788 panel plus no ac ready light
Battery charging was fine so it was putting out
I was told that turning up the rpm would increase voltage and it did but just for a few seconds then ac dropped to almost 0
The rpm was factory set to 1800 but I had no reference to the adjusted rpm other then setting it from the hertz read out which we did later
No luck
The issue is now the voltage is less the 7
Checked at genset
I checked the main breaker on the panel and no dropped leg
I removed the capacitor and dc voltage regulator to look around for fuses but can't find any
No swollen capacitor or bad wires
I'm hoping I didn't damage the windings , stator
We're is the voltage regulator For ac on this unit and could that be the issue
I see they are almost $1000
Any ideas would help
I'm in the northwest and having a tough time getting anyone out to look at it
Click to expand...

I hate to do this to you...but... Notice poor service is not just in the NW.

As one of the poster's said at around 900 hours he replaced his Westerbeke out of disgust. That may be a thought before going too far. In Texas we have a saying about pouring money into a dry hole. I have committed around $800 thus far. If I have much more that Bit*ch is outta here. And I do know the cost of gensets.


http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s6/my-westerbeke-struggles-25161.html
 
Last edited:
yoeman said:
The engine runs fine but volts at the genset are below 10 volts
Rpm has been set to 1800
I'll try the capacitor test
I hope it's not the end as I was told they are 5 grand to rewind
Would the 5.0 bcd have this issue caused by the govenor like in the post?
Any ideas on a good place to call in or around Blaine wa?
Click to expand...

Bought a Westerbeke refurbished back end in 2014 for my 8 kw for $3,500. Try your local distributor.
 
Mule said:
I hate to do this to you...but... Notice poor service is not just in the NW.

As one of the poster's said at around 900 hours he replaced his Westerbeke out of disgust. That may be a thought before going too far. In Texas we have a saying about pouring money into a dry hole. I have committed around $800 thus far. If I have much more that Bit*ch is outta here. And I do know the cost of gensets.


http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s6/my-westerbeke-struggles-25161.html
Click to expand...
"Hell hath no fury like a (wo)man scorned".
 
BruceK said:
"Hell hath no fury like a (wo)man scorned".
Click to expand...

Not sure what the connotation you are implying, but screw me once, shame on you. If I allow you and your posse to screw me again and again....shame on me. I will continue to tell people about Westerbeke and their Posse.
 
There is Broward Armature and Generator in Florida who have the entire replacement stator, normally in stock. They make a living at rewinding WB stators. Just send them your old one. They are a long way from you however.....
 
dimer2 said:
There is Broward Armature and Generator in Florida who have the entire replacement stator, normally in stock. They make a living at rewinding WB stators. Just send them your old one. They are a long way from you however.....
Click to expand...


Sounds like a deal.. I really do not want to pull that expensive trigger...but patience is wearing thin.

I cannot help but wonder if they have trouble keeping that in stock, once the Westerbeke, not customers, but end users, find out about an alternative to Westerbeke extortion.

Westerbeke customers are NOT the people that use their product with a hands on basis, that is an end user, not a Westerbeke customer. Westerbeke's customers are the dealers and boat manufacturers that purchase directly from the company. Keep that in mind when you are priced $500 for a single diesel injector or $207 head gasket for a 3 cylinder engine. Hummmmmmm
 
Last edited:
5.0

That really didn't help my issues about fixing the unit but good to know I've got another $10,000 boat anchor when I need it
Im going to try a new capacitor first
 
The best, most logical way to skin this cat is to work AROUND Westerbeke, finding out the stator and what other application that the Mitsubishi is used by another company, like tractor, pumps or whatever.
 
Call Mike Canyon Boat Works 888-956-6946. He helped me out on my Westerbeke. Got my parts from Broward also.
 
The manual actually has a good trouble shooting guide. From pretty basic up to removing one side of each of the diodes to actually testing the stator. I had to pull the end to do the testing due to space issues and once I had then end off, I could visually see the armature was done. They said I must have got it wet. It was in a full soundproof enclosure and in a dry lazarette so not sure how I managed that....


When all was said and done, for a few extra boat bucks, I opted to install a Phasor.
 
If it's running at 1,800 rpm, the governeor is working fine. 7 volts sounds a lot like a bad capacitor, assuming you have no elecronic voltage regulator. Capacitors are cheap and easy to replace, so it might be a good place to start.

For a generator specific forum, you can't beat these guys. They really know their stuff and are happy to help:

Generators & Motors General Discussion - SmokStak
 
Fixed

Capacitor
I got lucky
Thanks guys
 
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