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Topic: Generator intermitten self shut down (Read 1110 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator intermitten self shut down

Just thought I would throw this info out should anyone have this problem with gen set shutting down on it's own.
I just had this small problem and although we do not use it very often due to having solar, I do run it now and again for exercise (not mine). Last time it was on was around early March and I had forgotten to do it this summer for some reason, except after I changed fuel lines a short time ago when it ran fine. I started it a few days ago and as usual it ran good till after about 20 mins when it just shut down?  I started it and after 5 mins it goes off again ?? Ran it again and 5 mins later off it goes again???
So checked the past posts on forum and looked at a few of the supposed "fixes" but some of them seemed to be fine. Fuel, filters etc. I decided to pull it out to open the control box and have a look at the Latching breaker. I pm'd a couple of members and had feedback of what they did after having same problem. So, with not having any parts to throw at it I emailed  Power Tech and 5 hrs later got a message to call Jeff there. On speaking to me he asked what 'fixes'did I try and one of them mentioned on forum is the oil pressure sensor which he said would not be that, but there are 2 items which would course this issue when no led's light up as faults. Either control board or fuel sensor. Jeff told me the put a meter on the fuel sensor red wire which is one of 3 wires coming out of it and you should see voltage when engine is running, but, if when the engine shuts down there is no power at this wire then it is the fuel sensor. If power stays on then it is the control board problem.
Well the day after I again started engine to check this and it ran fine for an hour. After shutting it off and restarting it the engine ran fine for an hour again with no problems, so, my thought is that possibly sitting for a longer period maybe the thing had a temporary temper tantrum, so I have left it as is right now.
I will go back again next month and try again. We never run it for more than 15 mins while on a trip as we use the inverter and solar when needed so it is not a big issue but would be nice to know what it may be.
Thanks to HDFF KEITH for getting back to me so fast with ideas. Excellent service from Jeff at Power Tech too.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #1 –
I had the same problem with my Power Tech generator. It would shutdown with no fault lights. Talked to Jeff at Power Tech and I did the same test as you. We determined it was the fuel sensor unit. I replaced the sensor unit but the problem remained.
Finally after one shutdown the low oil pressure warning light came on. I went to a local auto parts store and found a replacement oil pressure sending unit. Put in the new sensor and it fixed the problem. You may want to replace your low oil pressure sensor also. There not much money. I think a got it for $15.00.
Alan Fink
Waupun, WI
2000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge  LX40
2018 F150 4x4
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited  Rubicon JL

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #2 –
Al, any info on sensor number etc
Johnh
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #3 –
John,
I bought it from Auto Parts Plus and it was a Intermotor PS138.
I took the old one with and they were able to cross reference it.
Hope that helps.

Alan
Alan Fink
Waupun, WI
2000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge  LX40
2018 F150 4x4
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited  Rubicon JL

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #4 –
Does your generator have a remote mounted radiator with an electric motor? If so it could be that the motor start capacitor is going bad, or motor and not letting the fan motor get up to speed or not letting it start.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Generator intermitent self shut down

Reply #5 –
Mine does have the remote radiator and it starts up no problem and runs fine. That was the first thing I checked. The gen seems to run fine last time I tried it so put it all back together for now and will try it again in a week or so. Bit tight trying to get the top cover off control box even with the motor pulled out on slides.
I am going to change the oil sender anyway once I locate one locally, cheap and quick to do so may as well. Maybe the thing just wanted attention as had not really touched it for a long time since coming back from Mexico in early March and only using it for 30 minutes in that 4 months.
Lots of sun down there.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #6 –
John,

You may have the relay that controls the fuel pump could be starting to fail when it gets hot.  There are 2 identical relays on your ES52 control board. One is for the fuel pump the other is for the crank function. If the fuel relay does fail part time that would kill the generator due to no fuel and you wouldn't get a failure light.  But if this was to happen you might get an over crank light if the gen tried to restart. Remember this is just a wag.

Just an FYI  871-1C-C-R1 should be the  correct number for that relay.  The R1 may have an U01 after it now

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #7 –
John,

Seems like someone posted some pics for the 2 relays some time ago but was easer to just go out and pull a new ES52 to show you what you are looking for. Not the best pics. but you can see the 2 little black relays.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #8 –
Mike is that board in the metal box at top of gen set, as I did not look to hard at panel when I had it open as I was looking to see if the latching relay was in there as was mentioned by a few
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #9 –
for future ref what do you sell them for$
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #10 –
Mike, I just ordered 4 relays as they were only $3.24cnd each. Just in case they work and someone else needs a couple later.
Thx
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Mike is that board in the metal box at top of gen set,

Yes

Mike

9 times out of 10 if you have a problem with the ES52 module it is one of those 2 relays. I always carry a couple in my spare parts bin.
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
 

Re: Generator intermitten self shut down

Reply #12 –
I was also having the run stop problem and no fault lights on the unit. After installing new house batteries I have not had the problem since. We are almost always plugged in when we go clamping so the generator usually only run for long periods while traveling to run the ac. The generator would stop during the travel, I would get out and flip the breaker and then restart it. Rinse and repeat until the new batteries were installed. Now runs fine.
2003 U270 36'