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![]() "mikem" wrote in message ... first, a std 4509 landing light draws about 8A. Check to see if some has installed Q4509 or some other non-standard sealed beam. Good... second, all things working normally, if the total load exceeds the total generation capability, then the difference is supposed to come from the battery (as long as it has some residual charge in it). In other words, if the total bus load is 40A, but your generator is capable of delivering only 30A, then the genny should be up to delivering its full rated 30A output all day long. It shouldn't care what the total bus load is... (turning on extra load should not trip the genny breaker) But after that extra load (coupled with low engine RPM), has dragged down the battery voltage, all bets are off. The regulator might then put more currrent to the field (this current may be passing through that breaker), causing the alternator current to drasticly increase. If the genny blows its breaker, then either the breaker is bad (more on this later), or someone has dicked with the current cutout relay in the generator regulator in a misguided attempt to get it to deliver more output. The current cutout relay must be set lower than the Gen breaker rating. As breakers age, they can develop internal resistance in their contacts. The heat produced by the increased contact resistance adds directly to the heat produced by the little built in heater (that is why they are called a thermal breaker), and the breaker will trip at currents lower than what is engraved on the button... Another possibility is a small amount of resistance where the wires connect to the breaker, this will cause heat (Power = I ^2 X R) which will have the same effect as bad contacts in the breaker. You find this by feeling for excessive heat when there is current flowing through the breaker. The breaker may actually make the panel noticably hot, or you may have to feel behind the panel (taking all necessary safety precautions). Vaughn (Licensed Electrician, Electronics Tech, but NOT an A&P) You need to find an A&P who understands electricity (not many of them do). MikeM, PhD EE Skylane '1MM Pacer '00Z |
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