Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Topic: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button (Read 1825 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

November 11, 2010, 07:29:41 pm

I am just getting ready to sell my U225 and of course the generator is acting up. It starts and will run great as long as you hold down the start button. As soon as you take your finger off of the start button it dies. I checked the oil level and its OK. I have blown out the relief tube that runs from the regulator out the bottom of the coach which is what caused this problem once before, but it still stalls.

I know we have some very smart generator guys on the Forum. What do you suggest??

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #1 – November 11, 2010, 07:35:32 pm

Quote

It starts and will run great as long as you hold down the start button. As soon as you take your finger off of the start button it dies.

What gen model is it?
Power Tech Generator PTS 10KW Kobota?

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #2 – November 11, 2010, 10:04:58 pm

Sorry, I guess the brand and model would help. It is a 6.5 kw Onan Emerald Plus. Don't forget its propane.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #3 – November 12, 2010, 12:43:29 am

Quote

It starts and will run great as long as you hold down the start button. As soon as you take your finger off of the start button it dies.

Check the Circuit Breakrs

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #4 – November 12, 2010, 09:32:51 am

Barry, is there anything you don't know about or where to find an answer? I really appreciate your help, again.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #5 – November 12, 2010, 09:39:14 am

Quote

Barry, is there anything you don't know about or where to find an answer? I really appreciate your help, again.

I am taking a Coach Repair correspondence course

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #6 – November 12, 2010, 09:43:15 am

I believe you are The Teacher!

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #7 – November 12, 2010, 09:45:53 am

Barry,

Taking a course??? You are teaching it!

Thank you from me too,

Jim
2002 U320

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #8 – November 12, 2010, 03:44:52 pm

Kent, the Onan series 6.5 kw units have acommon problem, it shows up as you described. If you were to use a volt meter, and check your ac voltage while your holding the start button and the generator is running, your voltage should be above 95 volts, if not, the problem is the regulator, If you have the the 95 +volts you have the controller problem.
That is the best I can tell you until you give me the full model and spec info including sec letter.
With that info I can provide the schematic drawing
Dave

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #9 – November 12, 2010, 06:57:18 pm

I appreciate the help but it is raining and cold here today. I will get all of the pertinent information tomorrow and post again.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #10 – November 12, 2010, 08:07:30 pm

Quote from: Dave M – November 12, 2010, 03:44:52 pm

That is the best I can tell you until you give me the full model and spec info including sec letter.
With that info I can provide the schematic drawing
Dave

Dave,

Until Kent can look up his Onan model/serial number, I suspect it will be close to the same one we have in our 1993 U240:

Onan 6.5NHMFA26116C. Serial # B920449612

Brett Wolfe

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #11 – November 13, 2010, 05:57:17 am

Brett,Yes it could be, best wait until he gets his number as there are many many little changes, why the letter after the spec is so important.
What is crazy, we have the drawings for all Onan generators and controls up through about 2000, only requires 20 CD Discs, on the newer models, we can down load the info plus parts and service manuals from the Cummins/Onan website.
It is amazing how the world has gone to the internet.
Dave

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #12 – November 13, 2010, 09:35:00 am

Dave, the model number is 6.5NHEFA26100J and the serial number is D920462423. See attached photo.

Last week one day it wouldn't start once but after the second try it started an ran.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #13 – November 13, 2010, 11:28:04 am

Kent, Cannot get the exact wiring diagram today, it is not in the service manual, will have it Monday, but looking at the other diagrams for this model series, as I had earlier stated, using a AC Volt meter, on the generator output, if voltage is under 95 vac, it would be the regulator, if over the 95 vac, it is the DC Controller.
A simple check with a meter will clue you in quickly, of course there are many other things that could happen such as a wire falling off some where, corroded wire terminal(s) bad relay. No end to the possibilities, but in general we find the first part of post to be the USUAL problem.
Luck
Dave

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #14 – November 13, 2010, 01:46:05 pm

Kent, Here is the actual wiring diagram for your model and spec.
Enjoy
Dave

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #15 – November 14, 2010, 12:47:09 pm

We had a similar problem with our generator and replacing the points fixed the problem.
Good luck!

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #16 – November 14, 2010, 02:16:05 pm

Nice guess, however his generator HAS NO POINTS, it is a solid state ignition
Next guess ?

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #17 – November 14, 2010, 05:16:29 pm

As usual, when I tried to start the generator this morning, it started right up and ran perfectly. I turned on the two heat strips to put a load on it and it ran for about 20 minutes and then died. From then on it would not stay running after I let go of the start button. Is there any ideas due to the fact that it started and ran this correctly this morning, please share them with me.

If I am checking the voltage correctly now, it is not putting out any volts AC. Where is the best place to attach the VOM probes? I was using the house socket in the next bay.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #18 – November 14, 2010, 05:26:11 pm

I would be looking around the transfer switch, I do not know it yours is manual or electrical operated, but get into it so you can check the voltage on the generator side.
Other wise, usually when it runs fine for a while then stops, the fuel system is the first thing I would be going after.
But back to basics, check the ac voltage and eliminate that issue.
Once your sure you have the 100+ Volts, then start checking the engine side, fuel supply, filter, pump, it all that is good, go with the DC Controller.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #19 – November 14, 2010, 06:09:06 pm

Thanks Dave, I will try more testing tomorrow.

I don't think it is the propane because it still runs while the start button is depressed. If it were a fuel problem I would think that it would not run even when the start button is depressed. Do you agree?

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #20 – November 14, 2010, 06:20:36 pm

Have you bypassed the oil pressure switch to rule it out?

Brett Wolfe

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #21 – November 14, 2010, 06:24:34 pm

Brett, I have not bypassed the oil pressure switch. Would it allow the generator to run with the start button held in if it were malfunctioning? I thought it would prevent ignition completely.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #22 – November 14, 2010, 06:38:16 pm

Kent you are correct and Brett is not familiar with your generator setup.

On the LPGas system, once it has started and running fine, I doubt the fuel solenoid is going closed during a run with out an issue with the oil pressure switch or the DC Controller.
UNTIL you find if you DO or DO NOT have the correct AC Voltage, we are just beating our gums (fingers).

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #23 – November 14, 2010, 06:48:33 pm

Dave, I still appreciate anyone's input but I thought it wan't fuel in this case.

Did I understand you correctly that I need to check for the voltage where the wiring from the generator goes into the automatic switch box under the bed? That is what I was thinking. I don't see access to the generator output in the generator bay since my generator does not have a slide out tray.

Re: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button

Reply #24 – November 14, 2010, 08:33:54 pm

Whenever I have a problem with anything electrical I repeat (usually) the following mantra: CHECK THE GROUND. CHECK THE GROUND. CHECK THE GROUND.

Affiliate Notice