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Topic: generator switch shows red light (Read 1625 times) previous topic - next topic

generator switch shows red light

We have a 99 U320 ... On a hot day in Kingman AZ back in Sept we left the generator and AC on while we went to dinner and when we got back the red light was on where there normally is a green light below the generator start switch.  When I opened the basement door to look at the indicator lights none were on... I poped the front panel to look at the generator and pressed the top breaker which made a click noise... lower one didn't... I can't remember whether the red light went off or not... but a few days later when I went back to check it the light was off and the genset started normally... ran it about a minute and it all seemed just fine...

Any idea what the cause was?  I keep forgetting to call FT to find out what they would say...

Thanks, Orren B
99 U320 40ft DGFE

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #1 –
The red light on your dash just tells you that a fault has occurred. On the generator itself, there are about 4-5 rows of lights with words. One of those will be lit and tell you what fault it was; e.g., high temperature. By moving the other switches, you probably reset it, which turned the red light out. Next time your started it, it worked, for "about a minute."
 
Depending on what the problem was, it may, or may not, continue to be a problem. For example, if the fault was high temperature because the fan was not turning, it will continue to fault again when the temperature gets too high.
 
Hope this helps,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #2 –
Thanks, Trent... here's a little more info... I didn't check the panel with the rows of lights on it for several days... but when I did while the red light was still on there were no individual lights on on the panel... Do you think maybe they would go off and leave the red light on on the dash?  That's when I tried resetting the breaker on the front of the genset.  And the next time I went to the coach is when it started just fine... and I shut it off after about running it for a minute or so... it didn't shut itself off... so now I'm assuming it will run OK when I need it next time... We're using shore power for the winter...
99 U320 40ft DGFE

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #3 –
I would run it for more then a min and see if your high temp switch goes off or oil pressure gauge or even a loose wire.  There is an issue  somewhere.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #4 –
In my experience, the red light on the dash does not go out until you reset the switch on the generator. I do not know about the ones on the generator itself.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #5 –
Good morning.  I would suggest running under load for much longer than a minute to see if the issue arises.  I had a similar situation happen a few months ago. The generator shutdown, red light on dash, and high temp light on the panel. Turned out to be the high temp sensor, i think, very inexpensive, easy fix. Good luck.
Kevin

Current  1997 U295. Build #5160
Previous 1994 U300

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #6 –
Thanks for all the replies... It could very well have been a high temp situation... we had been driving it for about 5 hours with the AC on and then when we stopped for dinner and left the genset running and it could well be that there wasn't enough air circulation and caused it to overheat... If and when it happens again I'll check the light panel right away to see if it shows the cause....
99 U320 40ft DGFE

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #7 –
Quote from: orrenb –
I poped the front panel to look at the generator and pressed the top breaker which made a click noise... lower one didn't...
Thanks, Orren B

Orren,

Can you expand on this statement. 
On your generator which breaker is this?  If it was tripped and it is the fan breaker then you could have an overheat trip.
Is this your Generator/excitation breaker? If so then it could be load related.
It could be the breaker has gotten weak and just tripped under load.
I would try to run the generator for several hours (loaded) to see if it will trip again, before you need to depend on it.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #8 –
  Thanks to all for this thread. My generator light on the dash has been red since day 1, near as I can remember. Thought it was supposed to be red. Haven't used the generator except to exercise it a few times. When the wind gets below 40 knotts and/or the temp gets above 35 I will open the generator compartment and try to locate the breakers. Will update later.

Thanks again,
Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #9 –
Tried resetting both breakers 3 times. Red light on dash is still on. Now what????

Thanks in advance,
Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #10 –
Larry,
 
In addition to the breakers, there are two toggle switches (possibly covered with condoms). One says On/Off, and may be labeled "Main." The other is labeled Run/Stop. Turn the one switch to Off and back to On. Turn the other to Stop and then to Run.  If this does not turn the red light out, Call PowerTech.
 
Good luck,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #11 –
Trent,

Thanks, will check in the daylight tomorrow. The switch with on/off has duck tape over it. Will try to find the fix.

Thanks,
Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #12 –
Quote from: ohsonew –
The switch with on/off has duck tape over it.
Larry,
 
Oops; that doesn't sound good! Might explain why the fault never reset, though.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: generator switch shows red light

Reply #13 –
I have had an intermittent problem as well with the generator.  It would sometimes shut off and I would get the red light on the dash.  Resetting the breaker switches on the front of the generator, would usually get us going again.  I first replaced the fuel lines all over the unit, and the filter.  All good for the next several times we needed power.  Then this past summer the whole valley lost power and my generator was called on for the day.  It would only run, 7 seconds and quit like you had flipped the switch.

Several suggestion and testing from Mike Rodgers lead me to ordering and replacing the control board.  I have had steady power since I installed the new control board.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)