Problem with voltage on Westerbeke Diesel Gen

[New Horizon]

If when plugged into shore power, I have 220V, should I not have the same voltage when on Generator? I get 120 volts when I switched from shore to gen. 8kw Westerbeke

 

[dtfeld]

What makes you think you have 220 VAC on shore power and 120 on generator?

Typically in a Sea Ray of that size and age, you have 2 x 120V 30A shore power cords. And the same from the Westerbeke. Is it an international boat, or modified?

 

[New Horizon]

I have one 50amp cord on dock side. My dock neighbor has the same boat with the same set up and he claims when on Gen he has 220v. I honestly cannot say if in previous years I had 220 when on gen power but this past weekend, I decided to check my voltages both on shore and gen power which is why I was asking.

 

[SKybolt]

If when plugged into shore power, I have 220V, should I not have the same voltage when on Generator? I get 120 volts when I switched from shore to gen. 8kw Westerbeke

Unless you or PO re-strapped the generator it is 120v from the factory. It still feeds both legs of the 110v of the panel. If you look behind the panel at the breakers you will see one side bridged between the two.

The reason for this is so the winding's of the generator are balanced. I re-strapped mine for 220v, but I also made a new electric panel and re-distributed the loads so it would be somewhat balanced.

 

[New Horizon]

Skybolt: No PO on gen so it appears my buddy's boat is somehow different from what you say than mine. His is 2 years newer which could account for the difference perhaps. Greatly appreciate your wisdom and reply. I will fire things up this weekend and turn on multiple items to see if something has changed. Thanks much

 

[dtfeld]

Look at your AC electrical panel. It should indicate what voltage the system is running. Even a single 50A cable ill provide 2x 120V legs. Post some pictures.

 

[ttmott]

Easy one - do you have anything on the boat that requires 240VAC to operate?
If not then the generator will be a 120VAC unit.

 

[New Horizon]

all three airs run on 240VAC as well as hot water tank etc. so, it seems the gen. has dropped a leg from what I see. Will know more this weekend. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[SKybolt]

all three airs run on 240VAC as well as hot water tank etc. so, it seems the gen. has dropped a leg from what I see. Will know more this weekend. Thanks for everyone's input.

So you have three double breakers in your panel? One for each AC and one for the hot water heater? Doesn't sound right for your year boat. When you can please post a picture of your panel if possible. 240v requires some sort of dual breaker.

 

[New Horizon]

Update: Well first of all the generator is fixed. The problem was the the breaker on the gen failed providing only 110v instead of 220v. Replaced the breaker. Now the volt meter on the panel reads 220v which is what it should be. Thanks for everyone's help.