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Westinghouse WGEN12000DF with Hertz to high!

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Rick Quebec

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hi I'm new in that Forum! And it’s my fist Forum to… OK I bought a Westinghouse WGEN12000DF generator and I notice that when I run it it puts out 243V and 63.2Hz! But after I put 3000W on my generator with 2 1500W heater the voltage indicated 120V but the frequency Hz indicated only 63.3Hz (see photos on attach files) I think that not good! I put 25% of load on the unit and the frequency drop only by .9Hz! I’m afraid to fry some sensitive unit in my house like my 12000BTU Ductless Heat pump, Microwave, LCD TV and computer! (My Ductless Heatpump is a Mitshubishi with inverter tecnology and my Refrigeretor is a Whirlpool WRF540CWHW (2020))

What is the % of Hz a sensitive electronics or normal unit can take! If is less of 2% I think I have a problem with my brand new WGEN12000DF (only 1 month)! It is possible to adjust that beast! I write to Westinghouse services and they told me that and EFI and it impossible to adjust. I's that possible! I am a neophyte. Please someone can help me?
 

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GenKnot

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#2 ·
Engine speed (and thus output frequency) is adjusted by the governor. Ideally, the frequency would stay at 60Hz, but you usually have to start with the frequency a little high (about 61-62Hz) because it will fall a little bit as you load the generator (about 58-59Hz at full load). There is a screw adjustment for the governor. On that gen, I think it is located between the engine and alternator.
 
Rick Quebec

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
GenKnot said:
Engine speed (and thus output frequency) is adjusted by the governor. Ideally, the frequency would stay at 60Hz, but you usually have to start with the frequency a little high (about 61-62Hz) because it will fall a little bit as you load the generator (about 58-59Hz at full load). There is a screw adjustment for the governor. On that gen, I think it is located between the engine and alternator.
Click to expand...
This generator as no governor screw. is and EFI i think! So a dont know how to adjust the speed!
 
Rick Quebec

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
GenKnot said:
Not EFI according to the manual.

Notice entries such as this:

View attachment 13890
Click to expand...
OK that for me a good news!!!! :) But i dont know where is that governor screw. Westinghouse custermer services told me the generator has no possibility of adjustment. You must send your generator to an affiliated repair center to have everything checked. This 375lb beast is not easy to transport and the nearest service center is 30 miles away. I can easily make this adjustment but I can't find how!!! :cautious:
 
5

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#6 · (Edited)
The owner's manual says your unit is still an AVR (per parts list, where you can see the AVR part). It is possible that the governor mechanism is behind your "control panel" (the power plugs panel). Some youtube searching may find someone who shows how to adjust things further.

Specs say that your gen puts out less than 5% THD, so it is already a higher quality non-inverter generator.

All non-inverter gens put out high(er) initial levels of voltage and frequency, per manufacturer's design specs, such that when you load them down optimally, the voltage and frequency gets closer to the ideal numbers of 120v/240v) and 60hz. The AVR does any fine-tuning under load. (per posts below, see Champion tech bulletins for field adjustment of rpm/frequency and AVR)

For me, the optimal operating load is 50% ... this is the infamous "half-load" term where the non-inverter gen gets the best fuel savings. It's also where the gen produces the "stiffest" (best) power. You can push it to 80%, and fuel cost goes up, but engine wear and tear goes up as well; most non-inverter gens don't want you going above this number (although they may not tell you this). At 100% (or too close to it), it's just not good for any non-inverter gen type, and longevity suffers. By the same token, I wouldn't "underload" it, as it is like running at "idle".

WRT your "sensitive" electronics ... do you have surge protection devices (SPD)? I suggest that power surges kill things faster than THD, from all the reading/research I've done. This isn't a little variation in power/frequency from your gen, and not from a few gen runs per year; it's a bigger problem from lightning, the grid, and all your other electronics/devices in your home. A simple SPD power strip, or a SPD for your wiring panel solves that problem.

Hope this helps ...
 
GenKnot

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#8 ·
Rick Quebec said:
You must send your generator to an affiliated repair center to have everything checked.
Click to expand...
Yeah, some manufacturers don't like end users adjusting things on a gen. I think that if you break it in the process, then you may claim a warranty issue and they would like to avoid that.

But anyway, there is a mechanical governor somewhere on the unit because it is in the parts listing.
 
GenKnot

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#10 ·
50ShadesOfDirt said:
All non-inverter gens put out high(er) initial levels of voltage and frequency, per manufacturer's design specs, such that when you load them down optimally, the voltage and frequency gets closer to the ideal numbers of 120v/240v) and 60hz. The AVR does any fine-tuning under load.
Click to expand...
Just for clarification, the AVR does not adjust frequency.
 
Rick Quebec

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
Rick Quebec said:
I see it's fine tuning! So if I understand correctly if I put about 30 to 50% load on my generator there should be no problem with the Hz level with my sensitive devices such as my microwave, TV, heat pump. I will be able to sleep well tonight!
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I would still like to know how to make the adjustment on this generator! If anyone finds the answer, please forward it to me. I would be much calmer!
 
Columbotrek

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#14 ·
Found a tech bulletin for the Champion version of Wgen12000 for adjusting the RPM. A couple weeks back I ran across a writing which mentioned Westinghouse was manufactured by Champion. That was what inspired me to ask Duck Duck Go "adjust hz champion 15000". Not saying that is it for sure. Have a look and see if the wgen 12000 matches that paper.
 
5

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#15 ·
Excellent tip ... didn't know that my Westinghouse wgen9500df might be oem'd by Champion. Did the same search, and came up with the champion tech bulletin page at:

https:// help.championpowerequipment.com/category/n7r74r3pfs-tech-bulletins

One bulletin for rpm/frequency and another for voltage, among others.
 
Rick Quebec

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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
50ShadesOfDirt said:
Excellent tip ... didn't know that my Westinghouse wgen9500df might be oem'd by Champion. Did the same search, and came up with the champion tech bulletin page at:

https:// help.championpowerequipment.com/category/n7r74r3pfs-tech-bulletins

One bulletin for rpm/frequency and another for voltage, among others.
Click to expand...
I checked my engine and there only a selenoid in the carburetor. I think that not the same engine like the 12000 Champion.
 
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