Hi All!
Been lurking a while over this tremendously long winter in wisconsin. I was fortunate enough to pick up my rig from the original owners friend.
We're finally about ready to take this on a trip in the next month or so, but I'm having a bit of an issue with the genset
I believe it's an emerald 6.5 propane system. The person who sold it to us stated it ran but it "broke" and wouldn't output any power...
Well at this point I can't even get it started, basically nothing happens when I hit the start button.
The main fuse on the control box looks good - I'll test for continuity shortly to be sure.
Is there anything else that needs to be on to make it work? is there a solenoid I should check and if the propane was off wouldn't it still turn over or is there a failsafe switch to not supply power to the starter if there is no propane flowing.
Lastly, I feel like i heard somewhere the gensets won't start when plugged into shorepower - any truth to this?
I'll be popping in the bay with my multimeter in the next few hours to do a bit of troubleshooting but any thoughts could help.
~Blaine
PS. Has anyone seen an overview/how to run your grand villa? Its my first Class A and the person I purchased from showed me nothing I would hate to break a system from trying to figure out how everything works :o
blaine,
Welcome to the ForeForum.
Generator WILL start with shore power connected. The ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch will only allow one source of 120 VAC to the main breaker box.
Start your troubleshooting at the generator itself. Check voltage between the large positive lug and any clean piece of metal on the generator (the ground). What is reading before and while you push the "start" button on the generator?
Does it try to turn over?
Turn over but not try to run?
Tell us exactly how far into the "run process" it gets.
Well that was fun.
I checked voltage looked good (though a bit high 13.4v) - is that a problem?
checked the fuse for continuity and that was the issue, popped in a new one and it turned over!
didn't start so waited a bit and turned it over again which it did and then electronic smoke started coming from the control board.
ordering new control board now...
Thanks Brett!
The universe is on my side apparently. Just found a brand new control board in the box of parts that came with the rig! 8)
A blown fuse replaced and then a smoking control board sounds like a direct short that may also fry your new control board. Search forum for genset surge and find this, a complete service manual.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://campkahler.com/files/onan/NHE-A-C-Service.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi0jPGnmpziAhUrnq0KHc1uAGEQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2FsK1EZuYcOTzjhJ64og4J
I'm on my morning coffee right now, but I do have some experience trouble shooting that generator. There are two connections to the outside world from that control board, +12V to the starter relay, so check for a short on that line as the wires are really crammed in that area, and +12V to the field coil to get that process started. So I'd check for AC coming in from the shore power. The transfer switch is supposed to keep the two separate, but at this stage who knows?
I repaired the control board in mine, I got lucky. Here's my write up.
arts-attic.com | Personal web log for Art Joly (http://arts-attic.com/blog/)
Well Phred was right. In my excitement I put in the new board and essentially the same thing happened. So now I have two fried control boards.
When I was taking it out for the second time I noticed that the wiring looked like someone was trying to get fancy and there were a couple terminals in there with black tape over them (unplugged) . I'm assuming they were troubleshooting.
My next step is to grab the wiring diagrams I have and make sure all . the wires are in proper place and check the service manuals to make sure I didn't miss anything else.
Thanks all for your help I'm planning to report back soon with good news.
Blaine,
Minor point: A U280 can NOT be an ORED (OSHKOSH rear engine diesel).
The U280 is a semi-monoque chassis built completely by Foretravel.
An ORED is a chassis built by Oshkosh (later bought out by Freightliner) on which Foretravel built a coach.
Again, welcome to the ForeForum. Letting everyone know exactly what you have will aid in getting you accurate information.
Some of what I learned about my 4KW Onan Emerald cost me two large toe nails and some skin on a blustery 10°F morning replacing the starter solenoid in a parking lot.