using this on 240 volts this afternoon, all OK. Restarted it as usual, no power, circuit breaker tripped. reset this and engine laboured heavily (no load on circuit) and smoked as though under heavy load. No visible signs of short circuits etc could be found! Generator works perfectly at 115 volts, switch to 240 v and the same fault occurs. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks
Suspect short on 1 winding to earth. Tests with insulaton test unit (Megger) would confirm
JH
November 2009
As the engine labours, it is finding the generator very hard to turn. As the trip has fired, it would indicate a fault to earth on the 250 volt generator windings.