Trojan Boat Forum

We have a new to us 1995 Trojan 350. We are having an issue with the Kohler 6.5CZ generator frying the TV's. The first time we were out on the hook for the weekend. The bugs got bad so we decided to go down below and watch a movie. I started the generator, my wife turned on one of the TV's. I decided to make some popcorn. When I started the microwave, the TV popped. I chalked it up as an old TV. The next day we ran the AC and heard another pop sound from a second TV. This time the TV was not on when it happened.
I dug around online and have come up empty handed. I tested the outlets with the generator running and no microwave or AC load and I'm getting 108 - 110 volts. Once I turn on the microwave or AC I can hear the generator ramp up and the volts go up to 128-130 volts. I have found multiple articles that say electronics with a UL stamp on them should be safe from damage up to 169 volts.

Cut to the next weekend.
I figured it was a voltage spike that must have cause the damage. I bought a surge protector thinking this would divert any excess voltage that might have spiked when the generator ramped up to power the other appliances. I took an extra TV that we had in a spare room at home down to the boat. The TV runs fine on shore power. I decide to test my theory with the surge protector in hopes that all is taken care of. I turn on the generator and there goes another TV.

I contacted Kohler, they just gave me a phone number to a local rep that put me on a 4-6 week wait list.

Any advise or help with this is appreciated.

This is my first post, so I apologize for being long winded.

Thanks in advance,
Tim

Sounds like a voltage regulator issue or possible governor issue. It is very odd voltage goes up under load. Mine is not a Kohler but it drops slightly under high load 120 volts to 118. I would also check the HZ. You should be right around 60hz (50hz in Europe). If you find that the HZ is varying then you have a governor issue. Hz relates directly to rpm. You can get a voltmeter that has hz on it.

Thank you Prowlersfish. I will have to do some research on how to check the hertz.

I agree with prowlersfish, odd that it would speed up under load
I’ve been working on my GenSet for some time now and I’ve been using a kilowatt monitor for checking voltage and hz (available on Amazon)
Not sure but
I think on your GenSet 60hz = 3600 rpm
I would check the carburetor, fuel supply, etc
I had a lot of erratic behavior because of a dirty carb
I know nothing about surge protectors but does seem that should have protected the tv
With the kilowatt monitor you could check that outlet when turning on the a/c or microwave
Better figure this out before you run out of tv’s
rr

Tmclain272 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:59 pm Thank you Prowlersfish. I will have to do some research on how to check the hertz.

Very easy just get a meter that has hz and check it at a wall plug just like you check voltage

Ok, that wont be bad. My multimeter can check hz. I was thinking that I would need to check it an output point on the generator itself.

Any outlet will work. I would use the one the tv plugs in. Get someone to change the loads while you watch it.