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Topic: A view of the future (Read 922 times) previous topic - next topic

A view of the future

We are having generator issues again and after doing everything I know how to do I decided it is time to take it into the shop.  Of course last time I took it into a Powertech dealer it did not act up all- hard to find things when they don't happen.

I called a Powertech service center in Fargo, ND which is near our planned path.  The man was very polite and professional saying it would be 2 weeks out before they could get it in and pull the generator out to work on it.  I asked why they were going to pull it out since this is on a motorhome and the answer was " because the guys who work on generators are too old to be crawling under them."  He also said that when these guys are gone, I don't know who will work on them because no one wants to be a generator tech today.    He suggested I try a diesel mechanic as it sounds like I am having diesel issues not generating power issues.  I thanked him and went on to make more calls.

Cummins Coach Care works on motorhomes but only on ONAN generators.  Great if I had an ONAN, but I have a Powertech as many of us do.

I have an appointment in the morning with a diesel /trucking shop I have used before- we shall see.

Who is going to work on our Powertech generators in the future when no one is training to do so?  Will ONAN replace them?  Interesting future isn't it?               
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: A view of the future

Reply #1 –
In the short ownership of my setup and reading everything generator  here. I wonder about this. PT statement to me about my 1999 Pt. "That's old".  Couldnt pull up anything on it. Said and gave Jeff as poc. Well Jeff never returned my phone calls. Sourcing parts has been a bit of a chase.  In theory a diesel generator should last a long time. You now have to take into account. The mounting of everything on one rail. All vibrations are shared. These do cause stress fatigue to occur on wiring, metal and even mounts. Solar can backup batteries. Not run Ac systems. Which is the elephant in the room.
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: A view of the future

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
We are having generator issues again and after doing everything I know how to do I decided it is time to take it into the shop.  Of course last time I took it into a Powertech dealer it did not act up all- hard to find things when they don't happen.

I called a Powertech service center in Fargo, ND which is near our planned path.  The man was very polite and professional saying it would be 2 weeks out before they could get it in and pull the generator out to work on it.  I asked why they were going to pull it out since this is on a motorhome and the answer was " because the guys who work on generators are too old to be crawling under them."  He also said that when these guys are gone, I don't know who will work on them because no one wants to be a generator tech today.    He suggested I try a diesel mechanic as it sounds like I am having diesel issues not generating power issues.  I thanked him and went on to make more calls.

Cummins Coach Care works on motorhomes but only on ONAN generators.  Great if I had an ONAN, but I have a Powertech as many of us do.

I have an appointment in the morning with a diesel /trucking shop I have used before- we shall see.

Who is going to work on our Powertech generators in the future when no one is training to do so?  Will ONAN replace them?  Interesting future isn't it?
What are the issues?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: A view of the future

Reply #3 –
It starts then stops, over and over.  One time I saw an over crank fault light outside on the generator- was told it could be fuel issue.  I have changed both fuel filters, fuel pump seems to be working fine, oil, coolant is good, etc.  Don't know what else it could be but obviously something.  We shall see........................... ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: A view of the future

Reply #4 –
Several years ago I had a problem with our Powertech generator not wanting to even crank. We were going to be in the park for a few weeks, so I started checking around. Like you found, Onan people aren't too willing to work on Powertech generators. I finally talked them into at least taking a look, as I suspected that it was a wiring issue. Sure enough, they called me back an hour or so later and said it was all fixed - a hidden connection was loose.

Re: A view of the future

Reply #5 –
Same here, was a loose wire going into the 'control box?' which shows the fault code lights in foreword left lower compartment. 
Mike
Mike Brady
'97 U320 SE. #5137
'13 Honda Fit
Willow Springs, MO

Re: A view of the future

Reply #6 –
"It starts then stops, over and over"

Had that happen on a  previous coach.  It was the oil pressure switch becoming defective.  Oil pressure was good, but switch was bad, triggering shutdown.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: A view of the future

Reply #7 –
Quote from: AC7880 –
"It starts then stops, over and over"

Had that happen on a  previous coach.  It was the oil pressure switch becoming defective.  Oil pressure was good, but switch was bad, triggering shutdown.

I just experienced the same thing on my generator. I had just changed the oil roughly 50 hours ago and used a new Kubota oil filter.  Checked the oil and it had plenty but still would only run for 30 or so seconds. Desperate to leave for our trip I reluctantly bypassed the oil switch for a few seconds then a high temp alarm shut it down. What do you know it really was not getting oil.

I changed the oil filter and it ran all the way to our destination. I have never had a clogged or defective oil filter before.  I changed the oil and put in another new filter. I have not had a problem since.
2002 U270 34' Build 5953
Cummings ISL400HP
3410 Floor Plan
Longview, TX

Re: A view of the future

Reply #8 –
These "it happened to me" are so important. Currently my generator is down for run 1 hr, go unstable, shut down. No codes. So my plan is cooling, separate radiator, install new fuel lines and water/fuel visual filter. New thermostat and waterpump.  Because of no history.
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: A view of the future

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
The man was very polite and professional saying it would be 2 weeks out before they could get it in and pull the generator out to work on it.  I asked why they were going to pull it out since this is on a motorhome and the answer was " because the guys who work on generators are too old to be crawling under them."  He also said that when these guys are gone, I don't know who will work on them because no one wants to be a generator tech today.  Specialist techs make more than a degreed engineer. We deal with steam so the Sky's the limit with hospitals and industrial. Process, and nuclear power plants.           
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: A view of the future

Reply #10 –
Texhub, don't overlook a problem with the wiring inside the control box on the generator.  I had similar problems and it ended up being bad or loose wires to the control unit (with the error lights).
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: A view of the future

Reply #11 –
Good idea. Will double check it. SS in Longview Tx found some. Will dig back in just in case. Did install new VR at same time.
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: A view of the future

Reply #12 –
I had luck with a place that serves tv vans. Seems they use power tech
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: A view of the future

Reply #13 –
Have you changed the fuel lines? That was the problem on mine. Also, that is a tractor engine and used in sailboats. So I'd try those as well. AFTER fuel lines.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: A view of the future

Reply #14 –
When mine was doing that I bypassed the op and water temp sw. The ES52 controller was bad.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: A view of the future

Reply #15 –
Here is another, a short time after the purchase of my pride and joy, the generator would start and quit. Not what I expected from a power teck..I looked , checked everywhere and then thought ???? I checked the coolant recovery tank, it was half full.
For some reason I thought the radiator cap was not holding the vacuum on cool down, thus not refilling the engine. Removed the cap, it was new... I stick my finger in the rad, no coolant..... closer inspection showed a small amount of dried antifreeze on the tube connecting the cap to the rad... Got it out to resolder it, it was very poorly soldered from the factory.. cleaned it up, it held a vacuum, put it back together, filled the engine up... it started, ran and no more problems... it the little things that drive you to the Scotch bottle !!
Safe Travels
Dave
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD
 

Re: A view of the future

Reply #16 –
Update- replaced the fuel solenoid and the oil pressure switch ( single pole on my 10KW Powertech) and all seems well now.  I have run it several times so happy happy.

Dan's Diesel in Alexandria, MN, just off I-94 did a good job looking over the whole generator, fuel lines, electrical, etc.  We determined that replacing the 2 pieces was prudent as it seems like something was sending a signal to shut off the generator.

I also learned how to run the generator and shut if off manually if I needed to.  Using an allen wrench remove the fuel pressure solenoid, put a plug in the whole on the generator engine and tie up the solenoid.  This will prevent it from getting a signal to shut down the generator.  Then, there is a manual switch just above my oil filter, a little to the left that will manually shut the fuel off and shut down the engine.  This is for my Kubota, but I assume it would work also on an Isuzu.  I have a plug now in my spare parts kit just in case.

I hope this is the last update on my Powertech generator for a long while.  Cya down the road                    ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing