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Topic: Generator not running (Read 2282 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Generator not running

Reply #20 –
Well this is like the "never-ending story".  Drove to FOT and had them work on the generator.  On the drive up it quit and wouldn't re-start so I drove in the 90º+ heat.  Alton found a broken wire that fixed the on/off run/stop issue.  But it would still only run a few minutes before shutting down.  No codes on controller.  Even tried a new controller and still the same.  After working on it all morning they determined the wires going to the relay socket were bad.  I had looked at that and thought it was ok. 
Finally got it working and I let it run for 5+ hours.  Spent the night there and drove with generator running for 10 hours with 1 stop.  Everything working like it should with 2 a/cs running. 
But when I got home and pressed the dash switch to shut it off it didn't!  Started doing the same thing.  I did drive on some very rough and bumpy roads so possibly something jarred loose?  Talked with Braxton today and they will discuss what it could be and call me later.
We leave on Sunday for a 6 week trip driving to Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.  I'll probably end up running the generator like it is for now.  If I can't fix it I'll stop at FOT on our way home in late August. 
Frustrating!

Re: Generator not running

Reply #21 –
mine would randomly die and after I changed the filters it worked properly and no issues.. doubt yours is as easy but Good Luck!!

Re: Generator not running

Reply #22 –
Since your trouble apparently started with low coolant:

Procedure for bleeding the coolant system on Powertech Generators

Even if you do not have the same generator, this could be your issue. It was causing mine with similar time run symptoms.
Generator overtemp shut down 


EDIT:  I see your new issues are probably  unrelated to coolant. Sorry about that.  If you DO have a very small air pocket at the top, when it turns to steam it will overtemp the temp sender and shut it down.


Re: Generator not running

Reply #23 –
Success!  Finally.  Pulled the control box cover off and found a wire had come off of the latching relay.  Replaced it and generator is working correctly now from the dash switch.  Actually when I first turned the on/off switch on it started up like before.  But I then remembered the latching relay had to reset.  So used the run/stop switch and it stopped.  Started, ran for an hour and stopped from dash switch.
Sunday will be the supreme test.  Driving the same bumpy roads I did Tuesday.  First stop will probably be at Buckhorn near Kerrville.

Re: Generator not running

Reply #24 –
Quote from: folivier –
Success!  Finally.  Pulled the control box cover off and found a wire had come off of the latching relay.  Replaced it and generator is working correctly now from the dash switch.  Actually when I first turned the on/off switch on it started up like before.  But I then remembered the latching relay had to reset.  So used the run/stop switch and it stopped.  Started, ran for an hour and stopped from dash switch.
Sunday will be the supreme test.  Driving the same bumpy roads I did Tuesday.  First stop will probably be at Buckhorn near Kerrville.

If the wire comes off again you can take pliers and squeeze the connector just a little to make it a tighter fit.

Re: Generator not running

Reply #25 –
Well we made it almost to Buckhorn RV in Kerrville, TX.  About a 1/2 hour before the generator shut down again.  I had started it up at 5:30am and it ran all day with both A/C's on with no problems then just shut down with no fault lights.  Pulled into a picnic area and tried to start it at the control box but looked like nothing was working.  Checked oil, coolant, temperatures at oil pan, head, etc. were no higher than 165º so it wasn't overheating and everything else looked ok.  After we got plugged in at Buckhorn I pulled the cover off the control box and the purple wire going into the controller was broken.  Fixed it and it started right up.  So looks like I'll rewire everything once I get to my buddy's shop on Tuesday. 
Fingers crossed....

Re: Generator not running

Reply #26 –
Be sure to strap all the wires down tight.  The vibration inside the control box is very great.  If wires are just looped around inside the box, they will sling around and eventually break. 
 

Re: Generator not running

Reply #27 –
I really hope this is the final update.  Generator shut down about 15 miles from my destination.  Found another broken wire. So I replaced and cleaned up the wiring inside the control box.  Found a couple obvious problems, 1 6" wire had 3 butt connectors, another blade connector was very loose and just taped up.  Fixed all of those problems.  Pulled it out of the shop and the cooling fan wasn't running!  The circuit breaker was bad so ordered another one.  Got that changed out and today ran it 4 hours with both a/c's and NO problems!
The wiring ferrules I think will solve the problem of wires breaking or coming loose.
So it seems all of my problems were due to wiring, either broken or loose wires.