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Topic: Don's Generator maintenance and questions (Read 585 times) previous topic - next topic

Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Freed up stuck generator slide out... It hadn't been started in awhile, so after starting the engine to air up the bags to put in my four new safety frame blocks in the front, I decided to fire up the genny to exercise it a bit. Switch in manual, hit the start/stop switch... nothing happened. Tried to think back how I might of turned something off or disconnected something for my bulkhead repair project, but nothing came to me. Put the switch in Auto, ran the microwave to stress the batteries (shore power disconnected), and it fired right up like it should. Turned it back on to manual mode, the genny stopped. Fired it up from the outside, runs like a top. Okay, try it again from the inside on manual.... nothing! Okay, spent time looking for fuses, relays, loose wires and the like, nothing. Okay, never pulled the generator slide out yet, I guess it is about time. Took the retaining bolts out, the thing won't budge. After sprying various magic lubricating juices, the thing still won't budge. Out comes the pry bar, it budges, but barely. It appears that it is going to take an act of congress to get it out... now, I know that will never happen, so I work it back and forth and after much spraying of magic juice, much tugging and pushing, I can now get it in an out without a hernia. Now I go inside, try the start stop switch in manual, just like before, the green light comes on, the genny fires up just like it is supposed to. Go figure!

So my new fitness plan is to slide the generator out & in 12 times a year whether it needs it or not...
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #1 –
Don,
Doesn't it have a "bolt/nut" lock to keep it from sliding out to easly?
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #2 –
Indeed, It has two 1/2" (head size) bolts to retain it in the retracted position. I removed those at the begining of my efforts, but the thing was just frozen in place, not to mention a bit on the heavy side:). It probably hadn't been pulled out in over a year...
Don
Quote from: PatC –
Don,
Doesn't it have a "bolt/nut" lock to keep it from sliding out to easly?
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #3 –
Mine was so bad on my 1999 u-270 only way to get it out was pull with fork lift or chain hoist. Mot fixed with new parts. Keep bearings wet with lube and exercise regularly
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #4 –
The front of ours is about 5 feet from a canyon where it is parked right now, otherwise, a come along would have definitely been deployed!
Don
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Mine was so bad on my 1999 u-270 only way to get it out was pull with fork lift or chain hoist. Mot fixed with new parts. Keep bearings wet with lube and exercise regularly
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #5 –
More generator related stuff... freed up the cable release and latch mechanisim. Initially, I had to open the compartment with some vise grips on the t-handle. After removing the cable and making a silicon drip for it, reinstalling and rerouting it, I can now do it with one hand. I want to find a replacement for the plastic t-handle that I can get a better grip on... any suggestions?
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #6 –
Hello Don, if you look under the gen compartment, the bottom (steel frame rubber covering) is held in place by 2 3/8 bolts in the front and 2 rolock bolts in the back. If you remove the rolocks, one of the 3/8 bolts in the front, and loosen the other one you can swing the cover to one side making access to the rear of the gen/compartment (starter, intake air duct,exhaust, belt adj/replacement) much more accessable once the gen is slid out. You might also take a look at the PVC pipe from the back of the air filter to the intake mine had a hole burned in it when I got the coach (400 hrs on the gen) made a new one from PVC and repositioned, has worked for 6 years.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Don's Generator maintenance and questions

Reply #7 –
Thanks Bruce, that is good info! Basic maintenance mostly has to wait for the bulkhead repair, but I am filing this info away in a thread bookmark along with some other valuable threads...
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson