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generator mystery

Yesterday, Kristi asked me if the generator was on (we were in the house).  My coach was parked at the side of the house, plugged in with the generator running.  This might not seem disturbing, except it has been 10-7 (inoperable) for a few months.  Here's a synopsis of events:
1- A few months ago I attempted to start the gen. from the interior as part of its regular exercise.  It struggled, but would not continue running.  I checked the usual fluid levels.  I tried from the gen. panel - same result.  I came back to it an hour later and there was no response at all (battery fully charged).  No sounds, nothing.  Since I had other projects I was doing, I put it on "the list".
2- A month ago, I brought it into Temecula Valley RV for some body work; nothing else.
3- On our return, after setting up, I thought I would try the generator again, and I pushed the start switch from the interior.  It did nothing, no surprise.
4- About two hours later, Kristi heard it running.
5- Today, I started it from the gen. panel.  The preheat went on and it started up immediately.
Any ideas? 
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: generator mystery

Reply #1 –
Bad interior start switch? Female generator?
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: generator mystery

Reply #2 –
Loose (or corroded) wiring in the start circuit.  Could be affected by temperature changes.  Check the control side and the power side.  Clean and tighten every thing.  I've seen a lot or terminals that have loosened over time and they are very hard to find.  Grab, shake and pull and if it is there you will find it.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: generator mystery

Reply #3 –
I like the suggestion of checking connections. The ground connection is always suspect.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: generator mystery

Reply #4 –
If the Genny autostarts when the house batteries drop you might check your cord for power.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: generator mystery

Reply #5 –
The shore power connection is good, showing 119-120 volts and the batteries were charged.  When it came on, it seemed like it was a long delay from when I pushed the start switch.  It was not from a drop in the battery voltage.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: generator mystery

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
When it came on, it seemed like it was a long delay from when I pushed the start switch.
That long delay is the preheat stage. Yours is probably similar to mine; no preheat light on the dash. (there is a preheat light on the generator itself.) My recollection is there is no feedback during the preheat stage; it just suddenly starts ( or not).
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: generator mystery

Reply #7 –
Mine also stopped starting, and I figured it needed a new starter or wiring looked at. As ive been using it a lot with hookups, i didnt immediately bother troubleshooting.

I'm now boondocking and brought a portable quiet inverter generator to top up the batteries, but decided to try the generator and to my surprise, its fired right up perfectly four times over the last two weeks.
95 U300SE
 

Re: generator mystery

Reply #8 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
That long delay is the preheat stage. Yours is probably similar to mine; no preheat light on the dash. (there is a preheat light on the generator itself.) My recollection is there is no feedback during the preheat stage; it just suddenly starts ( or not).
 
Trent
I'm used to the preheat, which is only about 10 seconds.  This came on about an hour after I pushed the switch.  With ambient temps around 80 here, preheat isn't much of an issue.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8