Generator issue September 20, 2009, 01:02:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106017The only thing worse than something not working is something workiing intermittently. Thats where I find myself with the generator on my 96 LD30. The generator works perfictly in the cool morning, but if it is a hot day, the genetator does not stay on after I remove the pressure on the starting switch. To clarify, the generator engine starts, but the indicator light stays off and the engine quits when I remove pressure on the switch. The same thing happens when I use the starter switch at the genset. I called a local generator guy who said that the brushes are probably bad in the generator and the unit would need to be dropped out of the RV for the repair. He totaly discounted the intermitent nature of the problem. I am over my head on this, and will probably need an expert to look at the unit, but I would at least like to know what might be causing this situation. Has anyone else experienced this kind of generator issue? Thanks for any comments on this.. I would also like a referal to a good generator repair guy in the Riverside County, California area. I probably need to add, the fuel tank is full and the RV is level. Warmly, Ed
Re: Generator issue Reply #1 – September 20, 2009, 01:30:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106019Ed The first thing to do is to look at the altitude adjust lever on the carburator. People sometimes forget to reset this, or sometimes it just somehow gets on the wrong setting by vibration or something. Also, how long has it been since you changed the spark plugs? Do you exercise it with a load for a couple of hours regularly?Tom Johnston
Re: Generator issue Reply #2 – September 20, 2009, 03:01:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106022Quote "...the genetator does not stay on after I remove the pressure on the starting switch..." Warmly, EdEd Sounds to me like you could use the help of the RV Guy (Mike Sylvester) who may now be at his winter diggs at the Skip Park near Temecula.Try contacting him at:thervguynm at yahoo.comSteve S. Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Generator issue Reply #3 – September 20, 2009, 03:57:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106023QuoteTom, The generator motor is running fine. I replaced the plugs in it 3 months age. I am having trouble with the electrical output of the generator. I do appreciate your response though. EdEdThe first thing to do is to look at the altitude adjust lever on the carburator. People sometimes forget to reset this, or sometimes it just somehow gets on the wrong setting by vibration or something. Also, how long has it been since you changed the spark plugs? Do you exercise it with a load for a couple of hours regularly? Tom Johnston
Re: Generator issue Reply #4 – September 20, 2009, 05:23:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106025QuoteThe only thing worse than something not working is something workiing intermittently. Thats where I find myself with the generator on my 96 LD30. The generator works perfictly in the cool morning, but if it is a hot day, the genetator does not stay on after I remove the pressure on the starting switch. To clarify, the generator engine starts, but the indicator light stays off and the engine quits when I remove pressure on the switch. The same thing happens when I use the starter switch at the genset. I had a similar problem recently. The tech originally thought it was the fuel pump, but on further investigation he determined it was the circuit board. Might be worth checking.--Al in Bremerton --2002 26.5 MB
Generator issue Reply #5 – September 02, 2010, 07:26:53 am Yahoo Message Number: 116183Hi folks I have an '03 MB. I use the generator occasionally however I do run it 2hrs monthly without fail. Additionally, the oil's been changed annually. The last time it would not start & hasn't started since then. An rv guy in a campground looked at it & said it was probably all gunked up in spite of my regular monthly maintenance. He said it would need to be all cleaned out. Does that ring true to you? Any other ideas regarding this problem? I always like to get others' experience before taking it in to the RV shop so I have some idea what the options are & what they're talking about, so any info will be welcome. thanks, Pat
Generator issue Reply #6 – September 02, 2010, 10:15:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 116187I routinely use Sta-Bil in my gas tank to prevent varnish build-up in the Gen carb. When we let the gen set for a period of time, the gas will evaporate and leave behind a sticky varnish which can gum up t;he inner workings of the carb, hence trouble starting and rough running or stalling after a period of surging. Hope this helps, Doc
Re: Generator issue Reply #7 – September 02, 2010, 12:00:47 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116192On Sep 2, 2010, at 4:26 AM, fridaysmum wrote:QuoteHi folks I have an '03 MB. I use the generator occasionally however I do run it 2hrs monthly without fail. Additionally, the oil's been changed annually. The last time it would not start & hasn't started since then. An rv guy in a campground looked at it & said it was probably all gunked up in spite of my regular monthly maintenance. He said it would need to be all cleaned out. Does that ring true to you? Any other ideas regarding this problem? I always like to get others' experience before taking it in to the RV shop so I have some idea what the options are & what they're talking about, so any info will be welcome. thanks, Pat Sounds fishy to me. We had a similar problem last year and it turned out to be a defective circuit board. I would get a second opinion.--Al in Scappoose --2002 26.5 MB
Re: Generator issue Reply #8 – September 02, 2010, 12:03:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116193Just a comment on this, you can easily dra
Re: Generator issue Reply #9 – September 02, 2010, 04:56:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116215Does the generator turn over but not "catch" or it catches and then dies soon after? Or does that generator not even turn over? LDs have a known problem where the line at the top of the tank develops an air leak and the generator stops getting fuel. You DO have over 1/4 tank of fuel?Art
Re: Generator issue Reply #10 – September 02, 2010, 05:16:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116217Quote Hi folks I have an '03 MB. I use the generator occasionally however I do run it 2hrs monthly without fail. Additionally, the oil's been changed annually. The last time it would not start & hasn't started since then. An rv guy in a campground looked at it & said it was probably all gunked up in spite of my regular monthly maintenance. He said it would need to be all cleaned out. Does that ring true to you? Any other ideas regarding this problem? I >always like to get others' experience before taking it in to the RV >shop so I have some idea what the options are & what they're talking about, so any info will be welcome. thanks, Pat Hi Pat, I had a similar problem with our 2003 MB; and if memory is correct, Andy's 2003 had a similar problem. With my rig, it turned out to be a "main rotor" that needed to be replaced. Sad to say, it was over $300 in parts and another $600 in labor through Cumins-Bridegway (Onan factory service). Before taking it to the service center, it was suggested that I try spraying starting fluid into the carburator while cranking the engine. If the fuel system is gummed up, I think the starting fluid will allow it to at least start momentarily. If it won't fire up, it is probably going to be something in the ignition system, similar to my problem. I think Andy's problem was similar. I hope your problem isn't as serious or as expensive. We had so few hours on our unit that I thought maybe it was "gunked up"; I wished it had been. I was told that our lack of use did NOT contribute to this problem. As soon as you hear they want to drop the genset, it starts getting expensive.Good luck, Steve K.
Re: Generator issue Reply #11 – September 02, 2010, 06:31:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116222MMMMmmm. I have lots of gas & it does turn over but doesn't catch. What does one do with the air leak? Thanks, Pat
Re: Generator issue Reply #12 – September 02, 2010, 06:44:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116224"With my rig, it turned out to be a 'main rotor' that needed to be replaced. Sad to say, it was over $300 in parts and another $600 in labor through Cummins-Bridegway (Onan factory service)." Your memory is correct, Steve: a few years ago the Onan Microquiet generator on my 2003 would crank but not run, and the trouble turned out to be a damaged rotor. It cost $1,100 to repair at Rocky Mtn. Cummins/Onan in Albuquerque. They told me this was very unusual on a generator that was only a few years old and didn't have a lot of hours on it. (And yes, it had been exercised and maintained).Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Generator issue Reply #13 – September 02, 2010, 06:47:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116225Quote MMMMmmm. I have lots of gas & it does turn over but doesn't catch. What does one do with the air leak? It usually takes dropping the fuel tank at least partially to get at the fuel pickup at the top of the tank so the cracked piece of fuel line can be replaced. Search the archives, there have been several posts about this. Before going to this level of trouble, the best test is to disconnect the fuel line where it enters the generator and run a temporary line to a can of gasoline. If the generator will start and run, it is likely a cracked line above the tank.Art
Re: Generator issue Reply #14 – September 03, 2010, 12:17:41 am Yahoo Message Number: 116240For details about how to determine if you have an air leak
Re: Generator issue Reply #15 – September 03, 2010, 05:43:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 116274Thanks to all of you who've responded to me problem. I've copied off all the suggestions, including the material from Techsnoz (what a resource!) & hopefully the problem will get resolved over the weekend. Thanks aga
Topic: Generator issue (Read 5 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Generator issue (Read 5 times)
previous topic - next topic