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Topic: Propane Generator - It starts and runs as long as you hold down the start button (Read 2161 times) previous topic - next topic

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

Reply #20 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
Whenever I have a problem with anything electrical I repeat (usually) the following mantra: CHECK THE GROUND. CHECK THE GROUND. CHECK THE GROUND.

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

Reply #25 –
Norm, I Did, I Did, I Did! But thanks. Your tip may help someone else.

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

Reply #26 –
Kent,
How did you end up fixing it. We just got to Galveston this evening & I need my Gen to work. It cranks but does not start. It sat for a while this winter with propane valves shut. Turned everything back on. I wonder if the battery is weak ... it was cranking it just fine but my batteries were not fully charged. They were at about 11.5. Anyway I am connected to shore power now and i am charging all the batteries over night.
Thank you,
AL

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

Reply #27 –
Al, If genny sat all winter there may be a lack of propane in the lines. Being heavier than air the propane will settle in the lowest area of the piping.  If the stove lites and furnace lites you will probably only need to keep trying to start the genny til the lines FILL UP ( not a legal terminology ).  Also check drip leg for accumulation of oily crud that may be restricting the flow to the genny.
Good luck
Gary B

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

Reply #28 –
Gary Thank you.
"Also check drip leg for accumulation of oily crud"  I need to find the drip leg.
....update ....
Throttle does not engage ... when i pull the throttle just a bit when the starter button is pushed and the starter cycles a couple of times, while i pulled the throttle it runs, but as soon as I let go of the throttle it shuts off.
Thank you.

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

Reply #29 –
Onan Propane Generator will not start on its own .....
Throttle does not engage ... when i pull the throttle just a bit when the starter button is pushed and the starter cycles a couple of times, while i pulled the throttle it runs, but as soon as I let go of the throttle it shuts off.
Thank you,
AL

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

Reply #30 –
Careful with the throttle on a genny.  Speed of genny determines output voltage and you don't want to foool with that.  Should not have to fool with throttle, engine should run up against governor and stay there.  Dave M is the genny guru here maybe he can tell you more.
Gary B

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

Reply #31 –
Thank you Gary. Yes I knew that the more throttle and more speed hence output voltage. I am also familiar with its sound .... how it revs up when the second AC turned on. Anyway I now know that it can start & run but why it does not do it on its own I can not figure it out.

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

Reply #32 –
Al, Have you checked to see if line is clogged with oily gunk ? Disconnect from Tank and clean out regulator and connection with alcohol, Propane always contains liquid matter that can clog a regulator or small line. That gunk can cause regulator to misbehave.
Gary B

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

Reply #33 –
DRIP LEG may amount to only a short nipple at main tank that is lowest point in system.  Also consider cleaning out regulator with alcohol, gunk may be causing it to misbehave.  Do all other appliances operate normally ?
Gary B

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

Reply #34 –
Merged 2 topics with common discussion

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

Reply #35 –
Gary,
"Do all other appliances operate normally ?"
Stove works and furnace works.

"Have you checked to see if line is clogged with oily gunk " I don't know which line from Propane tank manifold is the one that goes to Generator. Disconnecting it from the Generator side is a big task that i will not be able to do at the camp site.

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

Reply #36 –
The line that gary and others mention is the main feed from tank, and in your case would also be the one from the "Liquid valve" Just get a wrench (first turn the tank valves shut) and undo the hose line that is going under tank and you dont see the end of it. The other one that goes to manifold for other appliances is the "vapour line". This should also be undone and lower the hose if possible below the tank and hold for a few minutes to see if any residue comes out. Once you have done this reconnect it to valve. This is a simple fsat check and can be done anywhere as long as you have an adjustable wrench.
JohnH

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

Reply #37 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
The line that gary and others mention is the main feed from tank, and in your case would also be the one from the "Liquid valve" Just get a wrench (first turn the tank valves shut) and undo the hose line that is going under tank and you dont see the end of it. The other one that goes to manifold for other appliances is the "vapour line". This should also be undone and lower the hose if possible below the tank and hold for a few minutes to see if any residue comes out. Once you have done this reconnect it to valve. This is a simple fsat check and can be done anywhere as long as you have an adjustable wrench.
JohnH

CAUTION: Be VERY careful taking off a LIQUID LP LINE-- it has a huge amount of propane in it and is under high pressure.  OK to do if the generator is running and you shut off the propane valve on the tank to let it run out of fuel. 

Note:  the generator will run for many minutes on the propane in the line! In fact, I did this before putting our coach in its storage garage-- ran the generator line out of propane (shut off liquid valve on tank).  Perhaps a little over-cautious, but I did not like the thought of all that liquid propane under high pressure outside the tank in a small, confined garage space.

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

Reply #38 –
I have a propane generator also and once some time ago it would not start after it had always started right up.  In a discussion with the Onan rep., he suggested that I check the vent tube that comes off of the regulator and make sure that it is not plugged.  In so doing, it sure enough was plugged.  A mud dauber had found it just right to build a dam in.  After cleaning it out, the genny started right up.  I have since built a filter around the end of the tube and all is still well.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz

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

Reply #39 –
Another cause of hard starting/poor running on Liquid LP generators is that the very good quality on-generator regulator is laid on its side instead of being installed vertically.  That causes the longer chain hydrocarbon contaminants in the propane to accumulate in the regulator and eventually clog it up.  The regulators can be replaced or rebuilt.  If rebuilt, make sure to specify the HIGH TEMP/SILICONE gasket kit needed because of the regulator's location in the generator.

Note, I am not suggesting this is the cause of the OP's issue, he could easily have an electrical/control board issue.