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Topic: Follow up to generator question asked earlier this month (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Follow up to generator question asked earlier this month
Yahoo Message Number: 144816
Hi all.
Around Jan 8, I asked a question about a Microlite 4000 generator that wasn't running. I thought some of you might like to know the update.
The problem was that, below a certain temperature, somewhere around 35 or 40 degrees, the generator wouldn't start and run unless the start switch was held down.
This morning, I think I have proof that the problem is the control board. Using an infrared thermometer, I measured the board temperature at 25 degrees and tried to start the generator. It didn't start. I got the hair dryer and heated just the control board to a toasty 72 degrees surface temperature, and..... it starts. I suspect there is a "cold" (meaning poor) solder joint somewhere on the board. It looks like an encapsulated board, so I don't think I can repair it, only replace it. I found one other person on the Escapees site who had a similar problem, but I don't think he completely resolved it. I'll take the generator to the shop for repair and let you know if I find out anything different. Unless the Onan shop knows of something else I could have heated up around the control board that allowed it to start, I think I have a good argument for a replacement....which will unfortunately be years out of warranty.
Ken 2009 MB Lucy
Former 2009 MB owner
 
Re: Follow up to generator question asked earlier this month
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 144818
If/when you get a definitive assessment of the cause of the problem, please post; this is valuable information for our database share.

The Onan Microquiet 4000 on my 2003 had always started 'first kick' until a couple of months ago when 'overnight' and a.m. temperatures were in the 20s.  The thing bucked and stalled and sounded like an old Farmall tractor when it finally kicked over; it ran rough, raggedy, and loud, and was not putting out the same power as it always had.

Only a few people at the get-together that I was aware of had the same or similar problems; the gensets that I heard running sounded pretty smooth and 'quiet'. The genset on my rig runs OK now (in much warmer conditions), so I figure that it doesn't like the cold any more than I do!  It's still louder than (I think) it should be, though, so a service is on the agenda.

Have others had generator start/run problems in temperatures below freezing?

Joan
2003 TK has a new home