Adjustment of SPM-A Synchronizer to

Lean-burn, Spark-ignited Gas Engines

Application Note 01301

 WARNING
Read this entire manual and all other publications pertaining to the work to be
performed before installing, operating, or servicing this equipment. Practice all
plant and safety instructions and precautions. Failure to follow instructions can
cause personal injury and/or property damage.

The engine, turbine, or other type of prime mover should be equipped with an
overspeed shutdown device to protect against runaway or damage to the prime
mover with possible personal injury, loss of life, or property damage.

The overspeed shutdown device must be totally independent of the prime mover
control system. An overtemperature or overpressure shutdown device may also be
needed for safety, as appropriate.

CAUTION
To prevent damage to a control system that uses an alternator or battery-charging
device, make sure the charging device is turned off before disconnecting the
battery from the system.

Electronic controls contain static-sensitive parts. Observe the following

precautions to prevent damage to these parts.
• Discharge body static before handling the control (with power to the control
turned off, contact a grounded surface and maintain contact while handling the
control).
• Avoid all plastic, vinyl, and Styrofoam (except antistatic versions) around
printed circuit boards.
• Do not touch the components or conductors on a printed circuit board with
your hands or with conductive devices.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
WARNING—indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION—indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could

result in damage to equipment.

NOTE—provides other helpful information that does not fall under the warning or
caution categories.

Woodward Governor Company reserves the right to update any portion of this publication at any time. Information
provided by Woodward Governor Company is believed to be correct and reliable. However, no responsibility is
assumed by Woodward Governor Company unless otherwise expressly undertaken.
© Woodward 1991
All Rights Reserved
Application Note 01301 Adj. SPM-A to Lean-burn Gas Engines
Decreasing Match-Up Window Size (Time) to
Shorten Automatic Synchronization Delay on
Unstable, Lean-Burn, Spark-Ignited Gas Engines

It sometimes takes an excessive amount of time for an SPM-A automatic

synchronizer to parallel two lean-burn gas engines together or to parallel the
local bus to the utility bus.

Synchronizing times can be significantly shortened by reducing the dwell time

(match-up time) setting controlled by a dip switch on the printed-circuit board
inside the synchronizer case.

Dwell time is set for 1/2 second at the factory. This means that the phase angle
must remain in the control's synchronizing window for 1/2 second before a
synchronize order will be issued by the SPM-A.

This time can be reduced to 1/4 or 1/8 of a second to allow the synchronizer to
become more easily satisfied if the engine-generator phase is moving into and
out of the phase-matching window due to engine misfiring and rough idle.

The change in phase window length is made necessary by the inherent engine
instability on some lean-burn gas engines. The phase window should be set for
the maximum amount of time possible to minimize transient current when the
breaker closes.

WARNING
Reducing the dwell time may cause higher transient currents when the
breaker closes. This could damage the generator, the breakers, or cause
personal injury.

Another method of improving synchronization on engine/governor systems that

are very sensitive at high idle is to reduce the SPM-A gain. This is normally
accomplished by turning the gain adjust potentiometer on the SPM-A
counterclockwise. In some cases of poor system dynamics on lean-burn gas
engines, the gain may still be too high, even with the gain potentiometer full ccw.

In these cases we recommend additional gain reduction by adding a series

resistance between terminal 22 on the SPM-A and the ± connection on the
2301A Load Sharing and Speed Control or Generator Load Sensor.

Woodward 1
Adj. SPM-A to Lean-burn Gas Engines Application Note 01301
Dwell Time Adjustment Procedure

The dwell time, often referred to as match-up time, is factory set at 1/2 second.
To set the dwell time for one of the other settings (1/8, 1/4 or 1 second) perform
the following procedure:

1. Turn off the power and all voltage inputs to the synchronizer.

2. Remove the four elastic hex nuts securing the synchronizer cover. Remove
the cover.

CAUTION
To prevent damage to the components of the synchronizer, do not touch any
part of the circuit board unless adequately grounded against static
discharge. Follow instructions provided in Woodward manuals 82715 and
82384.

NOTE
To minimize circuit breaker stress it is best to use the longest possible dwell
time that still gives acceptable synchronizing times. Try Synchronizing at the
1/2 second dwell time before trying the 1/4 second or 1/8 second settings.

Dwell-Time Setting Switches

3. Set the dwell time using the four-position gang switch located in the upper
left corner of the circuit board. The settings are as follows:

Dwell Time Switch Switch Switch Switch

Seconds 1 2 3 4
One-eighth Seconds (1/8) ON Off Off Off
One-quarter Seconds (1/4) Off ON Off Off
One-half Second (1/2) Off Off ON Off
One Second (1) Off Off Off ON

4. Replace the cover and secure with the four elastic hex nuts.

2 Woodward
Application Note 01301 Adj. SPM-A to Lean-burn Gas Engines
Synchronizer Gain Reduction Procedure

If the governor response to the synchronizer output signal is too sensitive, even
with the SPM-A gain adjustment potentiometer fully ccw, and if the actuator-to-
carburetor linkage is optimized and non-linear (see manual 25014 and the
appropriate governor manual), it may be necessary to reduce the electrical signal
between the SPM-A and the governor or load sensor. This will, in effect, add
additional gain adjustment to the SPM-A.

To add gain adjustment:

1. Turn off the power and all voltage inputs to the synchronizer, or turn the
synchronizer mode switch (terminals 10–13) to the OFF position.

2. Temporarily wire in a 250 kΑ, at least 1/4 W potentiometer as shown.

Using a Potentiometer to Reduce Gain in an SPM-A

3. Turn the SPM-A gain potentiometer back to the mid position, turn the
externally wired potentiometer full cw, and turn the stability adjustment to
mid position.

4. Turn the synchronizer switch to the check position (terminal 11 closed to

terminal 13) and start the engine.

5. Adjust the externally added potentiometer slowly ccw until gain is reduced to
an acceptable level and the synchronizer begins to hold the synchroscope
within the phase window at 12 o'clock. Switch from CHECK to OFF to
CHECK several times and fine tune the SPM-A gain and stability
adjustments of optimal synchronizing with minimal overshoot.

6. Shut down the engine. If desired, the external potentiometer can be

carefully removed, resistance measured, and replaced with an appropriate
fixed resistor of the nearest value. It may be necessary, after replacement,
to again fine tune the synchronizer's Gain and Stability as in step 5.

Woodward 3
Adj. SPM-A to Lean-burn Gas Engines Application Note 01301
Unloaded steady-state dynamics of some lean-burn gas engines are so
poor that the best the synchronizer can do is close the breaker as the
synchroscope passes through the acceptable phase window. In these
cases, all sections of the fuel system should be looked at and optimized for
maximum steady-state performance.

Parts of the fuel system which can Affect stability include, but are not limited to:
• Actuator to carburetor linkage
• Carburetor adjustments
• Carburetor selection
• Carburetor bearings
• Air/Fuel ratio control
• Gas supply and differential pressures
• Actuator selection
• Spark plugs
• Ignition system
• Ignition timing
• Waste gate settings
• Governor settings
• Fuel Quality

4 Woodward
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04/9/F