Generator Power, High Voltage

[chrisrosenb]

I started a project yesterday on a race car hauler. The only power access is the built in generator. The generator is putting out 136 volts at the wall outlets. I did not plug in any of my Festool tools or chargers. I did use my Milwaukee Sawzall. I did not see any problem with using it.

I am concerned about using my Festool tools with the high voltage. Will the higher voltage damage the Festool tools? Is there a safe work around other than using grid power?

 

[Sparktrician]

Get hold of a tachometer and see what the engine speed is.  I had the same issue with my genny when I converted it to a dual-fuel system.  Voltage and frequency were both much higher than they were supposed to be.  I used a Vibra-tak Slide Rule Tachmeter to determine that the engine governor was in need of an adjustment.  Once it had been adjusted so that the engine was back at 3600 rpm, both voltage and frequency were back where they were supposed to be.  Frequency settled out at 59.99 Hz. 

 

[mwildt]

Good advice.

You could also put some load on it like a work light and then measure again to check if the voltage got more reasonable.

 

[Holmz]

Doing the measurements under some load would help. (It may drop a bit under load and could also with a long lead.)
I believe that the US power spec is 100 - 127v, and the Hz also has some range.

Personally I would be happier with 136 than 100v, and I would be happier with more than 60Hz than with less than 60-Hz.

 

[slalom]

Is the generator propane or another fuel.
If it is propane, it can also run on natural gas. When you switch over from one to the other adjustments can be necessary as propane releases more BTUs per volume than natural gas. If it is has been set up for natural gas and is burning propane the output will be about 9% greater.

 

[chrisrosenb]

Sorry for not getting back sooner & thank you for the replies.

The generator is powered by a diesel engine. There are several other issues with the generator, so the owner is having someone come look at it Monday. I am not sure that the voltage was high. I found out Friday that my digital volt meter was giving high readings. I changed the batteries in it & now it is reading the same as an analog meter.

This has got me to thinking about getting a small generator of my own. I am thinking it needs to be an inverter style generator to protect my Festool tools.
I just need to figure out the size I need. 

 

 

[Holmz]

...
This has got me to thinking about getting a small generator of my own. I am thinking it needs to be an inverter style generator to protect my Festool tools.
I just need to figure out the size I need.

Better off a big too big than too small if you cannot Goldilocks it.