Generator battery charging alternator?

[Coz]

I have a Kohler 5ecd. I had a blown fuse for the controller and while replacing it, I checked all the others and found another blown fuse labeled “voltage regulator and battery charging alternator”. Not sure when it blew.

Would it work correctly without the regulator fuse in?

Does the generator charge the battery in addition to the 120v which powers the main charger?

 

[PlayDate]

A quick look at your Service Manual shows the separate alternator/regulator for charging the generator's battery. If you think about it for a moment: Turning on your charger is on the AC generation side of your Kohler. It is also elective meaning you can turn off the charger at the main panel. The alternator ensures the generator's battery is charging if the generator is running.

The more interesting question is why did the F6 fuse blow in the first place?

 

[Coz]

Also wonder if the generator runs without the fuse. I’ve never checked it before.

 

[Craig]

I take the fuse out and just charge from ac smart charger. Better for the batteries and more efficient. Been doing it for years with no issues on a 5e.

 

[Coz]

Interesting. With the fuse in and genny running, the ac charger would see the genny alternator voltage and think the genny batteries did not need charging.

In my case the genny battery is starboard bank which doesn’t have much house load. My port bank has stereo amp and cabin so they drain much faster. So maybe with the fuse in and genny charging starboard, my ac charger would charge the port bank faster.

Or is it possible the fuse blew cause the ac charger and the genny alternator are in parallel?

 

[Craig]

Interesting. With the fuse in and genny running, the ac charger would see the genny alternator voltage and think the genny batteries did not need charging.

In my case the genny battery is starboard bank which doesn’t have much house load. My port bank has stereo amp and cabin so they drain much faster. So maybe with the fuse in and genny charging starboard, my ac charger would charge the port bank faster.

Or is it possible the fuse blew cause the ac charger and the genny alternator are in parallel?

I think in theory a modern day smart charger would sense the output of the generator and curb the charge voltage according. I know my 40 amp promariner chargers both banks quicker than just the gen charging circuit would.