I am just getting ready to sell my U225 and of course the generator is acting up. It starts and will run great as long as you hold down the start button. As soon as you take your finger off of the start button it dies. I checked the oil level and its OK. I have blown out the relief tube that runs from the regulator out the bottom of the coach which is what caused this problem once before, but it still stalls.
I know we have some very smart generator guys on the Forum. What do you suggest??
What gen model is it?
Power Tech Generator PTS 10KW Kobota?
Sorry, I guess the brand and model would help. It is a 6.5 kw Onan Emerald Plus. Don't forget its propane.
Check the Circuit Breakrs
Barry, is there anything you don't know about or where to find an answer? I really appreciate your help, again.
I am taking a Coach Repair correspondence course ??? ::) :P
I believe you are The Teacher!
Barry,
Taking a course??? You are teaching it!
Thank you from me too,
Jim
2002 U320
Kent, the Onan series 6.5 kw units have acommon problem, it shows up as you described. If you were to use a volt meter, and check your ac voltage while your holding the start button and the generator is running, your voltage should be above 95 volts, if not, the problem is the regulator, If you have the the 95 +volts you have the controller problem.
That is the best I can tell you until you give me the full model and spec info including sec letter.
With that info I can provide the schematic drawing
Dave
I appreciate the help but it is raining and cold here today. I will get all of the pertinent information tomorrow and post again.
Dave,
Until Kent can look up his Onan model/serial number, I suspect it will be close to the same one we have in our 1993 U240:
Onan 6.5NHMFA26116C. Serial # B920449612
Brett Wolfe
Brett,Yes it could be, best wait until he gets his number as there are many many little changes, why the letter after the spec is so important.
What is crazy, we have the drawings for all Onan generators and controls up through about 2000, only requires 20 CD Discs, on the newer models, we can down load the info plus parts and service manuals from the Cummins/Onan website.
It is amazing how the world has gone to the internet.
Dave
Dave, the model number is 6.5NHEFA26100J and the serial number is D920462423. See attached photo.
Last week one day it wouldn't start once but after the second try it started an ran.
Kent, Cannot get the exact wiring diagram today, it is not in the service manual, will have it Monday, but looking at the other diagrams for this model series, as I had earlier stated, using a AC Volt meter, on the generator output, if voltage is under 95 vac, it would be the regulator, if over the 95 vac, it is the DC Controller.
A simple check with a meter will clue you in quickly, of course there are many other things that could happen such as a wire falling off some where, corroded wire terminal(s) bad relay. No end to the possibilities, but in general we find the first part of post to be the USUAL problem.
Luck
Dave
Kent, Here is the actual wiring diagram for your model and spec.
Enjoy
Dave
We had a similar problem with our generator and replacing the points fixed the problem.
Good luck!
Nice guess, however his generator HAS NO POINTS, it is a solid state ignition
Next guess ?
As usual, when I tried to start the generator this morning, it started right up and ran perfectly. I turned on the two heat strips to put a load on it and it ran for about 20 minutes and then died. From then on it would not stay running after I let go of the start button. Is there any ideas due to the fact that it started and ran this correctly this morning, please share them with me.
If I am checking the voltage correctly now, it is not putting out any volts AC. Where is the best place to attach the VOM probes? I was using the house socket in the next bay.
I would be looking around the transfer switch, I do not know it yours is manual or electrical operated, but get into it so you can check the voltage on the generator side.
Other wise, usually when it runs fine for a while then stops, the fuel system is the first thing I would be going after.
But back to basics, check the ac voltage and eliminate that issue.
Once your sure you have the 100+ Volts, then start checking the engine side, fuel supply, filter, pump, it all that is good, go with the DC Controller.
Thanks Dave, I will try more testing tomorrow.
I don't think it is the propane because it still runs while the start button is depressed. If it were a fuel problem I would think that it would not run even when the start button is depressed. Do you agree?
Have you bypassed the oil pressure switch to rule it out?
Brett Wolfe
Brett, I have not bypassed the oil pressure switch. Would it allow the generator to run with the start button held in if it were malfunctioning? I thought it would prevent ignition completely.
Kent you are correct and Brett is not familiar with your generator setup. :(
On the LPGas system, once it has started and running fine, I doubt the fuel solenoid is going closed during a run with out an issue with the oil pressure switch or the DC Controller.
UNTIL you find if you DO or DO NOT have the correct AC Voltage, we are just beating our gums (fingers).
Dave, I still appreciate anyone's input but I thought it wan't fuel in this case.
Did I understand you correctly that I need to check for the voltage where the wiring from the generator goes into the automatic switch box under the bed? That is what I was thinking. I don't see access to the generator output in the generator bay since my generator does not have a slide out tray.
Whenever I have a problem with anything electrical I repeat (usually) the following mantra: CHECK THE GROUND. CHECK THE GROUND. CHECK THE GROUND.
Norm, I Did, I Did, I Did! But thanks. Your tip may help someone else.
Kent,
How did you end up fixing it. We just got to Galveston this evening & I need my Gen to work. It cranks but does not start. It sat for a while this winter with propane valves shut. Turned everything back on. I wonder if the battery is weak ... it was cranking it just fine but my batteries were not fully charged. They were at about 11.5. Anyway I am connected to shore power now and i am charging all the batteries over night.
Thank you,
AL
Al, If genny sat all winter there may be a lack of propane in the lines. Being heavier than air the propane will settle in the lowest area of the piping. If the stove lites and furnace lites you will probably only need to keep trying to start the genny til the lines FILL UP ( not a legal terminology ). Also check drip leg for accumulation of oily crud that may be restricting the flow to the genny.
Good luck
Gary B
Gary Thank you.
"Also check drip leg for accumulation of oily crud" I need to find the drip leg.
....update ....
Throttle does not engage ... when i pull the throttle just a bit when the starter button is pushed and the starter cycles a couple of times, while i pulled the throttle it runs, but as soon as I let go of the throttle it shuts off.
Thank you.
Onan Propane Generator will not start on its own .....
Throttle does not engage ... when i pull the throttle just a bit when the starter button is pushed and the starter cycles a couple of times, while i pulled the throttle it runs, but as soon as I let go of the throttle it shuts off.
Thank you,
AL
Careful with the throttle on a genny. Speed of genny determines output voltage and you don't want to foool with that. Should not have to fool with throttle, engine should run up against governor and stay there. Dave M is the genny guru here maybe he can tell you more.
Gary B
Thank you Gary. Yes I knew that the more throttle and more speed hence output voltage. I am also familiar with its sound .... how it revs up when the second AC turned on. Anyway I now know that it can start & run but why it does not do it on its own I can not figure it out.
Al, Have you checked to see if line is clogged with oily gunk ? Disconnect from Tank and clean out regulator and connection with alcohol, Propane always contains liquid matter that can clog a regulator or small line. That gunk can cause regulator to misbehave.
Gary B
DRIP LEG may amount to only a short nipple at main tank that is lowest point in system. Also consider cleaning out regulator with alcohol, gunk may be causing it to misbehave. Do all other appliances operate normally ?
Gary B
Merged 2 topics with common discussion
Gary,
"Do all other appliances operate normally ?"
Stove works and furnace works.
"Have you checked to see if line is clogged with oily gunk " I don't know which line from Propane tank manifold is the one that goes to Generator. Disconnecting it from the Generator side is a big task that i will not be able to do at the camp site.
The line that gary and others mention is the main feed from tank, and in your case would also be the one from the "Liquid valve" Just get a wrench (first turn the tank valves shut) and undo the hose line that is going under tank and you dont see the end of it. The other one that goes to manifold for other appliances is the "vapour line". This should also be undone and lower the hose if possible below the tank and hold for a few minutes to see if any residue comes out. Once you have done this reconnect it to valve. This is a simple fsat check and can be done anywhere as long as you have an adjustable wrench.
JohnH
CAUTION: Be VERY careful taking off a LIQUID LP LINE-- it has a huge amount of propane in it and is under high pressure. OK to do if the generator is running and you shut off the propane valve on the tank to let it run out of fuel.
Note: the generator will run for many minutes on the propane in the line! In fact, I did this before putting our coach in its storage garage-- ran the generator line out of propane (shut off liquid valve on tank). Perhaps a little over-cautious, but I did not like the thought of all that liquid propane under high pressure outside the tank in a small, confined garage space.
I have a propane generator also and once some time ago it would not start after it had always started right up. In a discussion with the Onan rep., he suggested that I check the vent tube that comes off of the regulator and make sure that it is not plugged. In so doing, it sure enough was plugged. A mud dauber had found it just right to build a dam in. After cleaning it out, the genny started right up. I have since built a filter around the end of the tube and all is still well. Have a great day ---- Fritz
Another cause of hard starting/poor running on Liquid LP generators is that the very good quality on-generator regulator is laid on its side instead of being installed vertically. That causes the longer chain hydrocarbon contaminants in the propane to accumulate in the regulator and eventually clog it up. The regulators can be replaced or rebuilt. If rebuilt, make sure to specify the HIGH TEMP/SILICONE gasket kit needed because of the regulator's location in the generator.
Note, I am not suggesting this is the cause of the OP's issue, he could easily have an electrical/control board issue.
It rained a lot this morning with thunderstorms since 7am. I was not able to do anything but this afternoon I am going to try to at least clean the regulator vent pipe. In addition to help from all of you I have also found this ( Cleaning out the regulator vent hose on your RV's Onan MicroQuiet 3600LP... (http://usefulbulk.com/navionmods/onanhose/) ) I am hoping to get lucky & have the Gen running going back home Sunday. If not Next week I have an appointment at FT to convert the dash air from R-22 to new ... At that time I hope I can get them to look at the Gen too. I sure hope I can fix it myself.
Thank you,
AL