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Topic: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today... (Read 1045 times) previous topic - next topic

Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

The potential buyer of Moose already knows this, so I'm asking for some help on a possible fix on my Power Tech 10W generator. 

Yesterday we put some fuel in Moose and drove it back to the RV park.  On my way out the door I wanted to make sure the generator (I double check everything!) was in full working order, so I unplugged it from shore power and started the generator.  It ran fine for 5 minutes and I turned on the AC's.  When the AC's kicked in, the generator stalled out.  There were no fault code lights on in the front of the generator.  It just quit.

I visually checked everything, couldn't SEE anything wrong, so I tried again.  This time the AC's were off and it ran for about 3 minutes and stalled out.  Started pouring rain so I want home.

This morning I started the generator with AC's off and it ran for 93 seconds and stalled out.  I waited 2 minutes and started again... ran for 30 seconds and stalled out.  Started raining again, so I came home.

I do have a spare fuel filter ( located on the driver side 1st bay) but couldn't unscrew the filter with my bare hands.  Would a clogged filter be a cause?  There IS fuel in the bottom of the filter housing where a small drain valve is located.

I'm not a mechanic so this is as far as I can get.  There are no shops in the area that can see me until the end of next week.  Not sure if the buyer is still coming or not, but I did reduce the price for him because of this trouble that suddenly appeared.
Can't believe this happens right before a sale. Rats.

Suggestions?

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #1 –
Is the coach full of fuel.
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: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #2 –
Follow the earlier post on the generator problem and areas to check. Fuel starvation is the problem but may be filter or supply hose related. If you are not a mechanic you can still check the hose connections for cracks, try tightening the clamps, etc. Filter can be replaced using a filter wrench, old fan belt twisted around the filter and a big screwdriver or even a rope twisted around with a screwdriver. Installation is only hand tight. Check and replace the inline filter if you have one. Unless you can run the pump to fill the new fuel filter, I would fill it with CLEAN diesel before you screw it back on or you may have trouble starting it again. Wear gloves. Loosen the main fuel tank cap to release pressure before taking the fuel filter off.

Your generator is getting enough fuel without a load but when the load increases so is the amount of fuel needed and the problem shows up. Since it starts OK, you can probably rule out the fuel pump.

As John posted, how much fuel is in the tank? The generator fuel pickup is a little higher than the one for the engine. 

Diesel engines and even a small amount of air getting into the system don't go together. 90% of generator problems are fuel supply/starvation issues.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #3 –
  Sorry to hear of your problems with the genny Steve. It seemed O.K. the other day when I checked it out. I suppose it could be a clogged filter. Maybe you got some bad fuel. Gary called me about it this morning, I am sure he can figure it out for Rodney. Enjoyed meeting you and your wife the other day.

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #4 –
Make sure the fan is coming on.  On ours, we start the generator and as soon as it provides power the fan underneath the driver comes on to cool it.  Ours has a switch on the control panel of the generator that will turn the fan on/off - so make sure it's in the "on" position.  If the fan doesn't come on, the generator will shut off.

Ours also had a fuel hose leak, causing air to enter the system and shutting off the generator.  This can be hard to diagnose as the cracks in the line can be tiny, and hidden.

Good luck with everything -
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #6 –
Quote from: bogeygolfer –
Make sure the fan is coming on.  On ours, we start the generator and as soon as it provides power the fan underneath the driver comes on to cool it.  Ours has a switch on the control panel of the generator that will turn the fan on/off - so make sure it's in the "on" position.  If the fan doesn't come on, the generator will shut off.

Ours also had a fuel hose leak, causing air to enter the system and shutting off the generator.  This can be hard to diagnose as the cracks in the line can be tiny, and hidden.

Good luck with everything -

the fan does come on.
I'll have to look closer at the hoses I guess.

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #7 –
Quote from: MAZ –
  Sorry to hear of your problems with the genny Steve. It seemed O.K. the other day when I checked it out. I suppose it could be a clogged filter. Maybe you got some bad fuel. Gary called me about it this morning, I am sure he can figure it out for Rodney. Enjoyed meeting you and your wife the other day.

Mark

thanks Mark :) Words of encouragement always helps.  That's the kicker here - it ran when you inspected it.  Go figure.  I'm going to assume that Rodney is still on his way.  The weather here tomorrow is going to be really bad - rain, rain, rain.  That's gonna suck.

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #8 –
On our '96, every once in a while, the breaker that runs the cooling fan would trip on the generator start.  After the generator ran for about 90 seconds, the generator, not being cooled by the fan, would shut down as it was overheating.  Check the breaker.
Gayle McNeece

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #9 –
If has been sitting a while in warm climate, algae may be clogging filters, definitely fuel starvation
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #10 –
Ck the inline fuel filter.  These are usually clogged.  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #11 –
Steve,
  Gary said that Rodney should be there this afternoon.

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #13 –
I have had three issues with my '97  Isuzu 3LD1:

1. Cracked hose that ran under step.
2. Electric fuel pump (I assume that's what it is) 12v mounted in front of engine on fuel line.
3. Electric fan. Replaced it, had to buy a puller to get the squirrel cage off.

Need to do a fan belt now, perhaps a water pump too.

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #14 –
Another possibility is failing oil pressure sender.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #15 –
This post is 11 years old.
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: Quick Help! Generator stalls after 90 seconds. Buyer on his way today...

Reply #16 –
Quote from: craneman –
This post is 11 years old.

 Interesting, I never noticed.
Now I want to know what the final fix was!
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad