Kohler genset starts and stops and gives errorcode OC after three tries

[KajLehtinen]

Hi!

For me new boat, Kohler genset - worked fine during seatrial. Now it starts and after about 15 seconds it sounds as it connects the load then it the genset stops, after about 10 seconds it restarts to and same procedure again and then once more to finally give up with a OC code.

I can see from the outside that coolant water is coming and some light smoke, and engine runs fine during the 10-15 seconds it takes before the relay click is heard and the engine stops.

Any ideas? Someone mentioned bad starter battery, i'e that it doesnt have enough power to switch on the load and dies due to that?

/Kaj

 

[Nauti-lass John]

I had a similar problem but mine was due to a faulty impeller. The engine would run fine for about 20 seconds, but no electricity generated.
What is the error code?

 

[superheat6k]

The error code OC suggests Over Current, and the controller is clearly shutting it down by the relay clicking off.

I can't see a flat battery causing a generator so much load it would trip, but could be the initial surge load is too much when the generator first excites.

I do have some Kohler manuals, and these are available for their models on their website. the ones I have do not show fault codes so not for this model.

I guess hooking up another battery might be a simple go / no go test for the theory suggested of it being the starter battery.

 

[captain tomas]

Had very similar problem with a Mastervolt gennie, water coming out of exhaust and displaying error code (can't remember what) ran for about 15secs then auto shut down.
After some investigation found that the cylinder head temp sensor was the culprit.

 

[volvopaul]

Speak to Atlantis marine in Plymouth

 

[kashurst]

the OC fault code is "over crank" which covers a number of problems. If you don´t have a manual for the specific generator call atlantis marine. Very helpful people.
However one of the first things they will ask is fuel filters, when where they last changed as poor fuel supply can give a number of erratic faults on a Kohler. OC,UC, etc
I have a Kohler 11ECOZD gennie which had got wet with seawater at some point in its early life and it took quite a few goes to make it reliable, fuel filters, new fuel lift pump, new engine harness and new ECU, hopefully yours is just something simple.

 

[volvopaul]

the OC fault code is "over crank" which covers a number of problems. If you don´t have a manual for the specific generator call atlantis marine. Very helpful people.
However one of the first things they will ask is fuel filters, when where they last changed as poor fuel supply can give a number of erratic faults on a Kohler. OC,UC, etc
I have a Kohler 11ECOZD gennie which had got wet with seawater at some point in its early life and it took quite a few goes to make it reliable, fuel filters, new fuel lift pump, new engine harness and new ECU, hopefully yours is just something simple.

I remember the fuel lift pump scenario very well.

Low battery voltage could be the issue, if it has a manual sore power switch make sure it's in the off position when trying to start it.