My 230v generator has decided it is 400v

Hello,

Last sunday my 2003 Kohler 23eoz with about 1100 hours on it decided it was no longer a 230v generator and instead a 400v generator. It was putting out 199v per leg. This unfortunately resulted in frying two of my air conditioning units and two battery chargers.

I called the yard I use for service who dispatched a technician and in working with Kohler decided the generator needed a new rectifier. I´m not 100 % clear on this becuase when I looked at the parts manual for my generator I wasn´t able to find a rectifier listed. The board they replaced is a circular board with six diodes and what looks like a VOR that goes at the back end of the windings. The board cost about $230 and my pessimism quickly kicked in. Rarely does a $230 part fix anything I break (or so I feel.) So today the part was replaced and low and behold the generator still produces a stead 400v. Now they are jumping to thinking the windings are the problem and it could need a new stator.

I´m wondering if others have come across this and might have any ideas about what would cause the generator to produce a seemingly stable 400v. I"m wondering if the governor could have failed. I wouldn´t think the voltage regulator would be in play because I wouldn´t expect a healthy generator to produce 400v at any time.

Thoughts? Ideas? Random tests I can try? Anyone know of a good stepdown transformer from 400v to 230? Kidding....

I´m a little punch drunk from a day of replacing the failed components in my AC system. That is now all back together but I´d like to get the generator straightened out before I fry another bunch of equipment.

Thanks!

Ben

Indeed it was the VR. Replaced and back to 230v.

Ben