Our propane generator will keep running as long as I hold the start toggle switch in.
Stumbles to a stop when I let go of the spring loaded toggle.
Two weeks ago I had tried starting it and didn't realize we were out of propane, but the stink let us know.
Now what?
Any of the old propane generator owners have any ideas?
Vapor or liquid LP generator? Said another way, on the propane tank, is the tap for the generator off the vapor port or liquid port?
How many times have you started it up?
I'm wondering if you've bleed the liquid/vapor lines enough?
I know this one may be obvious, but check the oil level. The old onan's have sensor that will not let you start if the oil level is too low.
Mike T
Does that 10A fuse have to be good to crank also, or just start?
I forget.
Brett?
Adding: The last three or four years (since I replumbed to one regulator on the tank) the generator ran great.
This is the first time (two weeks ago and now today, with propane) that I attempted to run the generator since it was in storage for eight months.
The regulator on the generator itself is still there.
Gas, not liquid, as the stove and fridge run off the same line.
Assume the generator is running on HIGH pressure vapor ("T" off before house propane regulator).
Mine was doing the same thing exactly. Michael is correct, and on the opposite side of his answer I checked the oil level, and mine was overfilled. Took a clear clean hose and sucked out about a pint and has run all day for a week now. Just my .02 cents from an ancient old man !! :o
Mine was the control board that the switch is attached to.
Tomorrow afternoon is when I start "digging" into the problem.
Morning is filled with DW's Rehab and we are picking up our new specs.
Latest:
Oil was 1/2 qt low. Now filled right to the full mark.
Same issue. Gen runs as long as I hold the start toggle (right below the monitor) but shuts off when I let it go.
Remote toggle in the bedroom doesn't work. Start/stop toggle on the face of the generator also does not work.
I took the hose off the regulator by the generator and no stinky, yellow stuff on it.
When I hold the start toggle on the dash the generator runs long enough to fire up the 120 circuit.
Generator also runs nice and smooth with no pulsating or revving up or down. Just runs nice and smooth.
I took off the control board cover on the face of the generator and also checked the 5A fuse. All good.
It is an Onan Emerald III Genset and I do have installation and operator's manuals that can with the coach.
If it is the circuit board (Pt#300-3056) best place to purchase or how do I test it?
Now what?
Our generator fuel cutoff solenoid went bad, would start for about 1 sec then cut off.
But ours is diesel.
I had an older Onan (1981) gas generator on my previous rig and that generator had similar problem once. Turned out to be a bad relay.
If you can't find a solution by searching Google, your best bet may be to have it serviced by an Onan Service provider.
Based on all the troubleshooting videos and texts I think I will try replacing the circuit board.
Everything seems to point to the board as being the culprit.
Start/Stop on the circuit board doesn't work, and it did work when we bought the coach.
Remote start/stop in bedroom doesn't work and it did when we bought the coach.
Remote Start/Stop on dash only works if I hold the toggle in the start position.
Seems that the bedroom switch failed after the switch on the generator itself failed.
Being permanently mounted right on the circuit board surely indicated (because there is no connection or wiring to be chewed apart or disconnected) and failing I believe it is the circuit board.
Not having either the tools or knowledge I will be doing a part swap.
Like an old friend always says:" If I can't see it, taste it, smell it, or hear it and it can kill me if I touch it, I want nothing to do with it!"
It will be a $132 gamble, but everything points to the problem being the circuit board.
Boy, what is wrong with quality control back in 1989? This board only lasted 30 years!! Shame, shame!! :)) :))
Sounds like a controller issue, as you have determined.
Please share you results. Thanks and good luck.
Might remove the plug for the remote wiring at the generator and then try the switch at the generator.
I'll try it tomorrow
The new Dinosaur board showed up today. Put it in.
Turned on propane at the tank. Rocked the rocker switch on the generator to "START" and guess what? IT STARTED AND KEPT RUNNING!!
Start and stop on the dash also works, but remote in the bedroom does nothing. Next project I guess.
Today I used a pole pruning saw to cut down some dead pine branches off up about 20' from the ground. Had to "Rube Goldberg" some extensions to get that far up.