generator alarm

[workingonadream]

my generator runs fine. it has good oil pressure and is not running hot. when i pull the switch on the bridge to activate the gauges, the alarm comes on instantly. usually the alarm will come on if the gen stalls or i shut it down. i wonder if i have a bad switch or a bad ground causing the alarm to fire when it shouldnt. any ideas thanks. the gen is a 1979 15kw onan.

 

[bostonhatteras]

I find diagnosing wiring problems to be a trial and error process. The alarms work, usually, by completing the ground so, assuming the upper station uses the same sending units on the genset, disconnect the individual alarm leads one by one and try to activate the alarm panel. Just keep isolating each leg of the alarm: such as hot exhaust temp, low oil pressure, coolant temp. If you disconnect each of these in turn and the alarm still sounds when you activate the panel look at how the alarms are tested. There may be a switch that shunts to ground to ensure the bell and lights will work. Its a trial and error process. Good luck.