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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Jim Sizemore on September 06, 2017, 10:55:49 am

Title: LP Generator questions
Post by: Jim Sizemore on September 06, 2017, 10:55:49 am
Lp has a solenoid valve for everything but the genset, that is controlled by the sniffer.
Getting ready to work on generator(will only run in start). Just read,again, the info in the big red book. It does not mention the sniffer. Should the generator run without turning the sniffer on, in my '92? I have always turned the sniffer on...

Jim
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: wolfe10 on September 06, 2017, 10:58:57 am
Jim,

Look at your propane tank.

Where does the line come off going to the generator:

A separate/liquid tap vs the vapor tap for the house?

If off the vapor tap, does it "T" off before or after the control solenoid?

There are several ways it could be plumbed-- both OE and by subsequent owners.  I know our 1993 U240 is not OE!
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Jim Sizemore on September 06, 2017, 11:06:38 am
Thanks, Brett. I was sitting here thinking of looking - but did not know what to look for. Will look later today. I have no idea what the liquid and vapor valves were trying to tell me.
Where is the LP converted to gas, at the regulator?

Jim
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: nitehawk on September 06, 2017, 11:07:29 am
Hey Brett, if he has a vapor propane generator wouldn't there also be another regulator in the lower right corner on the generator frame? There is on our "89
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on September 06, 2017, 11:29:00 am
There are several ways it could be plumbed-- both OE and by subsequent owners.  I know our 1993 U240 is not OE!

I did notice your/my coach was converted to "vapor" in '03. Never thought anything about it until I put a aux propane bottle in and the gen would not run off the bottle! I don't know if this one ever had a control soleniod, but I got used to the ball valves, and all works fine!  ^.^d
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Jim Sizemore on September 06, 2017, 11:57:11 am
I just realized I hijacked Paullys thread. Don't know what to do other than start this one-as I have more to add. Can moderator clean this up for me -- and I apologize to Paully.

My young-uns told me my gen would only run in start. I turned on the vapor valve, did not turn on the sniffer(if that is what I thought was the CO monitor at the floor at the bottom of the galley counter) and ran the gen for 30 min or more.  Brett and some others chimed in to try to teach me some things and I went out to look over the propane compartment. The vapor valve goes to a large blue colored regulator and on to a rectangular  regulator with a knob control on it and then connects to a rubber line that disappears thru the compartment wall. This smaller regulator has a solenoid valve at its output that I guess is controlled by said sniffer?

The liquid valve has nothing connected to it - is this the fill valve?
I just found the fill valve - right above the lable that says "FILL" -DUH!
As long as everything works, why do I have to learn all about it?!

Jim
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: wolfe10 on September 06, 2017, 01:25:00 pm
Hey Brett, if he has a vapor propane generator wouldn't there also be another regulator in the lower right corner on the generator frame? There is on our "89

Probably.  Some Onan propane generators have their regulator inside the unit, some external to it. I know the 1993 model had the internal regulator. Not sure when Foretravel made the change.
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: wolfe10 on September 06, 2017, 01:27:59 pm
I did notice your/my coach was converted to "vapor" in '03. Never thought anything about it until I put a aux propane bottle in and the gen would not run off the bottle! I don't know if this one ever had a control soleniod, but I got used to the ball valves, and all works fine!  ^.^d


If the aux propane bottle supplied HIGH PRESSURE vapor, no idea why it did not work.  No, it would NOT work if the bottle has a regulator on it, as pressure to run appliances is not sufficient to run a generator.

The other issue one would face trying to use a small bottle is that the rate of flow (many times the rate of all other on-board propane appliances combined)  would substantially lower the temperature and you could get freezing.
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Carol & Scott on September 06, 2017, 03:16:44 pm
In my life, I only learn about stuff that doesn't work.  Go figure.  :))
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Jim Sizemore on September 06, 2017, 04:26:41 pm
I must not be alone in this. I've also learned that the best way to learn something is to have to teach others "how stuff works"...This is really the first time I have looked into my gas bay to see what goes on!

Jim
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Michelle on September 06, 2017, 04:42:06 pm
I just realized I hijacked Paullys thread. Don't know what to do other than start this one-as I have more to add. Can moderator clean this up for me -- and I apologize to Paully.

Split out the posts from the other topic and merged them here  :)
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: nitehawk on September 06, 2017, 04:56:22 pm
And Jim, the best way for those you teach is to make them do it hands-on. Just talk or textbook lessons don't stick in the mind as well.
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: rworley on September 06, 2017, 05:33:07 pm
I'm also having problems with my Onan 6500 Marquis generator; high pressure propane powered. The regulator for my gen is inside the gen housing. I replace the generator solenoid fuel valve and the motherboard a couple of years ago; gen ran fine for some time. Recently, it will start fine and run 15-20 minutes and then shut off. I rebuilt the regulator; new diaphragm and a good cleaning; changed the oil in the gen. All to no avail. I have not narrowed the problem to a specific source; but, I suspect it could again be the solenoid valve or motherboard. Suggestions?

roger
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Jim Sizemore on September 06, 2017, 05:39:18 pm
Split out the posts from the other topic and merged them here  :)
Is splitting out a moderator only operation?

Jim
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: TulsaTrent on September 06, 2017, 06:18:14 pm
Is splitting out a moderator only operation?
Jim,

I am not sure what you (or others) mean by "splitting out," but here is an example of what I mean, and how to do it.

Six days ago, a new member started a new thread in the Foretravel Discussions Forum. He titled the thread "New Owners" and told us about a Foretravel they had just recently bought. There were several replies and followon messages. In reply #12, he mentioned a specific question concerning the controls on the cockpit seats.

I also had questions on that subject, so I quoted the pertinent part of his message and started a new thread, "Pilot and Copilot Seat Controls." I also changed the Forum to "Foretravel Tech Talk." (I see now, I should have removed the "Re: " from the subject line.) Unfortunately, I have only had one reply so far, but I cannot help that; unless I can find some way to give the topic more visibility.  >:D

Here is how:

Instead of using the "Quote" button, press on the "More" button, and then click "New Topic." Trim the quoted part to only repeat the germane part of the message. Change the topic name and the Foretravel forum title, if apropos. Write the remainder of your message and click "Post." Here is the new message thread:

Pilot and Copilot Seat Controls (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=32135.msg286219#info_286219)

There may be an easier way, but this is what I recall from one of Michelle's attempts to get us to change to a new thread instead of hijacking an existing thread. One of the reasons I did this was to make it easier to find in future searches.

Hope this helps,

Trent
Title: Re: LP Generator questions
Post by: Michelle on September 06, 2017, 07:01:25 pm
Is splitting out a moderator only operation?

Splitting out is, but as TulsaTrent mentions, you can quote something from one post and start a new one with that.  Just follow his excellent instructions