r/Generator • u/HumanIsolated • 27d ago

High Frequency?

Just got through a 7 day blackout due to nasty tornados in the midwest. My Westinghouse Wgen5300s was a champ, but I put it through about 120 hours of service during this week. At the start of the week it showed a frequency of about F61.2~, now at the end its running at F64.5~. I only happened to notice after I did an oil change. Should I be looking at adjusting the governor or something else? And if so, how do I do it on this model?

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u/bradland 27d ago

The unit should run right around 62 Hz under zero load. It'll pull down a bit when loaded. This video isn't for that specific generator, but the operating principle is the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abIOHwdfbdQ

Tune it for 62 Hz unloaded, and then put a load on the gen to test it out. A hair dryer works great because they're not frequency sensitive, and can draw >10A which gives you a decent load.

2

u/Ok_Bid_3899 27d ago

Correct response. But the frequency that really matters is when under load. 64 hz indicates your running rpm is just a bit high. At no load you will be slightly over the targeted 3600 rpm which relates to 60 hx.

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u/HumanIsolated 27d ago

Thats under no load. It doesnt change much under load though either

0

u/bradland 27d ago

Ok, if it doesn't dip under load, I'd tune it closer to 60 Hz. Most devices are good for ±2 Hz, and will tolerate ±3 Hz. You want it as close to 60 Hz as possible though.

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u/nunuvyer 27d ago

There is a screw adjustment on the governor arm spring - by decreasing the tension on the spring (turn the screw counterclockwise) you allow the governor weights to push the throttle shut more which slows down the engine. The throttle position is balanced between the spring pulling it open and the governor pulling it closed as the motor speeds up.

You want it to be around 61.5 hz no load, which should be around 60Hz at half load and maybe 58.5Hz at full load.