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Topic: Generator stops producing power (Read 458 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator stops producing power

The culprit:
 Onan QG5500LP
 Installed early December, new, by dealer.
 Flawless performance until today.

The issue:
 Stops producing electricity at random times while on the road.
 Running front & rear AC's. (Its hot in Texas for this northern boy).
 1st & 2nd time we were moving and I just hit restart switch (don't think I hit switch to shut down). Found a safe stop and checked oil & was OK
 Start up normal and off we go.
 Light on dash indicator goes off again and I pull over,  shut down road engine and hear genny running with no 120V showing.  Go out abs confirm genny running but there's a red rapid flashing light on the start generator itself.  No, I  did not check for a pattern.
  Turn genny off. Turn off and on the breakers. Restarts fine with no flashy flashy.
  Pull into camp ground and JUST before I pull into my spot there's an erosion ditch and the unit rocks.  Power goes off with genny running.
  Three important points:
1)  prior to pulling into the camp I found no correlation between bumps and power going off.
2)  Last time it went out,  I didn't check for flashes on start switch.
3) I confirmed that fuel was turned on all the way just now.

 Comments?

In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #1 –
When I first bought my coach there was a problem similar (maybe exactly?) to that and it turned out to be the original Onan generator's voltage regulator. As I recall it was a simple and easy fix. Just out with the old regulator and in with the new.
I see you replaced your original Onan. Hope your fix is simple.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #2 –
Are you low on fuel?

When you said oil was OK, low on stick or full?

Is it getting enough air to stay cool?
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 stops producing power

Reply #3 –
"Just out with the old regulator and in with the new"

Don't the whole new unit come with a new voltage regulator as part of the unit?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #4 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Are you low on fuel?
When you said oil was OK, low on stick or full?
Is it getting enough air to stay cool?
A) Filled propane tank before we left.  Yes, i did check to see that the valve was open all the way.
B) it's higher than the "low" mark on stick, but below "full".
C)  I don't know if it's getting enough cooling air.  How can I tell?  Ambient temp was certainly higher than we've ever run it before.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Moby –
How can I tell?

Not real sure.  I want to say I read where someone with a new generator was having problems with it getting to hot. Sorry I don't remember what they did to solve problem.
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 stops producing power

Reply #6 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Sorry I don't remember what they did to solve problem.

Well.
That's no fun.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Moby –
"Just out with the old regulator and in with the new"

Don't the whole new unit come with a new voltage regulator as part of the unit?
I presume yours did. I am still using the original and it's working great I dug out my service records....
Onan 6.5 Emerald Plus 6500 Gen Set (Propane)
11/15/14 Replaced voltage regulator.

Onan 6.5 Emerald Plus 6500 Gen Set voltage regulator - Поиск в Google
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #8 –
Showing results for Onan QG 5500 LP shutting down...

QG5500LP shuts down - Поиск в Google
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #9 –
Do you have the air scoop under your coach to pull air into the generator while driving?
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #10 –
Quote from: kgrover –
Do you have the air scoop under your coach to pull air into the generator while driving?

No, I dont.
Is that an Onan only install?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #11 –
New/repeating info.

1)  Oil WAS in the center of the dip stick.  I ASSumed that was fine. Filled oil to upper mark.
2)  Engine was running, but no power generated (see #3).  I'm ASSuming it's not overheat as the engine remained running. No, I don't have the "air scoop" mod.
3)  Read some stuff online and brought back the trouble code and it was "15" - under frequency.  Suggested fix is to reduce load (don't run both ac, refrigerator on LP).  Given the ambient temperature, the fact that engines produce less power when hot, the fact that I just had the front AC replaced, and that explains why it took so long for this to show up.
 Hitting the road again and will report back.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #12 –
Onan rates there generator correctly.  When they say 5500w this is running  watts not surge.  Both ac run is 3440 watts.  That generator should run both ac's. as long as you don't have electric hot water on.
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 stops producing power

Reply #13 –
Air scoop for reference.  It does a great job of making the generator door pop open while driving. I think it was a foretravel installed part to address generator cooling while driving.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #14 –
Wrong model.
I have QG 6500LP

sorry.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Moby –
Wrong model.
I have QG 6500LP

sorry.
Ah, I wasn't sure which models they put that on.
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246
 

Re: Generator stops producing power

Reply #16 –
Evening report.
A good 6 hour run on state and interstate roads with similar ambient temps.
Ran just the front AC without a hitch.
Rest day tomorrow, so on Thursday will crank both on.
*shrug*
Perhaps the 15 code was a fluke?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad