alexsomm
New Member
I would be really grateful if I could get a copy of the Hfl manual. Alexsomm@hotmail.co.uk
Cheers
Cheers
Hfl generator issue
- Thread starter boatingdave
- Start date
John100156
Well-Known Member
Hi Alex - just seen your post, I will email what I have to you shortly, hope it helps.
iwalm1979
New Member
Hi
If anyone still has copies of the HFL manual that would be useful - We have an HFL Gemini which is currently a bit sick, starts up fine, runs well, but no output (was working about a month ago and just stopped outputting voltage). Checking all the electrics at the top the couple of visible fuses seem in good order, the trip switch has continuity (so it's not a fault there) but the +ve and neutral coming up to the output block are showing no output with a multimeter.
I've been told to check the capacitor which might need 'charging' but of course, I can't see any capacitor and I suspect it's probably hidden behind the panel on the end which is held on with about six to eight screws. Unfortunately it's that tight in the boat there isn't much of a chance of getting to these and getting the cover off, hard to see from the photos but the leads coming into the genny have about an inch, maybe two, of clearance. - Has anyone got a specific location for the capacitor (or can it be backfed from wires I can see?)
The reason I ask is if the generator has to come out it would be a huge job on this boat (Birchwood TS31) - Would mean sofa's removed and trying to get it winched out somehow, be a proper mess. However, if it's behind that plastic cover then given I've not got much to lose on a 30 year old genny I'd be tempted to cut out the plastic cover with a multitool where it sits and then bond a new piece of rigid plastic over the top of the hole made. If it's not the capacitor then it's the windings I assume then I'll probably have to have it out (either in one or dismantled as best as I can in situ) but I'll be honest, I'd be tempted to go multiple batteries and an inverter in the space where it sits rather than refitting it (I inherited this, bit of a noisy old beast, but it's handy I suppose in a pinch).
Images attached but you'll see what I mean, bearing in mind too this is located underneath one of my sofa's so to work on this I'm lying down on the floor under the sofa! My suspicion is the capacitor is hidden behind the blue cowling that I marked with a red star.
Ian
If anyone still has copies of the HFL manual that would be useful - We have an HFL Gemini which is currently a bit sick, starts up fine, runs well, but no output (was working about a month ago and just stopped outputting voltage). Checking all the electrics at the top the couple of visible fuses seem in good order, the trip switch has continuity (so it's not a fault there) but the +ve and neutral coming up to the output block are showing no output with a multimeter.
I've been told to check the capacitor which might need 'charging' but of course, I can't see any capacitor and I suspect it's probably hidden behind the panel on the end which is held on with about six to eight screws. Unfortunately it's that tight in the boat there isn't much of a chance of getting to these and getting the cover off, hard to see from the photos but the leads coming into the genny have about an inch, maybe two, of clearance. - Has anyone got a specific location for the capacitor (or can it be backfed from wires I can see?)
The reason I ask is if the generator has to come out it would be a huge job on this boat (Birchwood TS31) - Would mean sofa's removed and trying to get it winched out somehow, be a proper mess. However, if it's behind that plastic cover then given I've not got much to lose on a 30 year old genny I'd be tempted to cut out the plastic cover with a multitool where it sits and then bond a new piece of rigid plastic over the top of the hole made. If it's not the capacitor then it's the windings I assume then I'll probably have to have it out (either in one or dismantled as best as I can in situ) but I'll be honest, I'd be tempted to go multiple batteries and an inverter in the space where it sits rather than refitting it (I inherited this, bit of a noisy old beast, but it's handy I suppose in a pinch).
Images attached but you'll see what I mean, bearing in mind too this is located underneath one of my sofa's so to work on this I'm lying down on the floor under the sofa! My suspicion is the capacitor is hidden behind the blue cowling that I marked with a red star.
Ian
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John100156
Well-Known Member
I removed an HFL Marriner 6kVA genny years ago from my old Sealine F43 engine room, stripped it down and had the stator rewound and refitted it. I still have pdf copies of the HFL manuals which were a nightmare to get hold of. The manual does mention the Gemini in places. If you PM me your email, I can send it to you as I have for many others.
On the Marriner the capacitor was located in proximity to the terminal block in the main electrical box on top, it could lose its charge over time if not run, you needed to flash the exciter field (12vdc +ve and -ve across the capacitor for a split second) but only do this yourself if you are fully confident/competent to do so. If yours does not have a capacitor it must use another method of exciting the field, perhaps others will be along to assist in that regard.
On the Marriner the capacitor was located in proximity to the terminal block in the main electrical box on top, it could lose its charge over time if not run, you needed to flash the exciter field (12vdc +ve and -ve across the capacitor for a split second) but only do this yourself if you are fully confident/competent to do so. If yours does not have a capacitor it must use another method of exciting the field, perhaps others will be along to assist in that regard.