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Topic: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question) (Read 601 times) previous topic - next topic

New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Hi All!

Been lurking a while over this tremendously long winter in wisconsin.  I was fortunate enough to pick up my rig from the original owners friend.

We're finally about ready to take this on a trip in the next month or so, but I'm having a bit of an issue with the genset

I believe it's an emerald 6.5 propane system.  The person who sold it to us stated it ran but it "broke" and wouldn't output any power...

Well at this point I can't even get it started, basically nothing happens when I hit the start button.

The main fuse on the control box looks good - I'll test for continuity shortly to be sure.

Is there anything else that needs to be on to make it work?  is there a solenoid I should check and if the propane was off wouldn't it still turn over or is there a failsafe switch to not supply power to the starter if there is no propane flowing.

Lastly, I feel like i heard somewhere the gensets won't start when plugged into shorepower - any truth to this?

I'll be popping in the bay with my multimeter in the next few hours to do a bit of troubleshooting but any thoughts could help.

~Blaine

PS. Has anyone seen an overview/how to run your grand villa?  Its my first Class A and the person I purchased from showed me nothing I would hate to break a system from trying to figure out how everything works  :o
'90 u280
Bringing back the glory of this grand villa!

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #1 –
blaine,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

Generator WILL start with shore power connected.  The ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch will only allow one source of 120 VAC to the main breaker box.

Start your troubleshooting at the generator itself.  Check voltage between the large positive lug and any clean piece of metal on the generator (the ground). What is reading before and while you push the "start" button on the generator?

Does it try to turn over?

Turn over but not try to run?

Tell us exactly how far into the "run process" it gets.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #2 –
Well that was fun.
I checked voltage looked good (though a bit high 13.4v) - is that a problem?
checked the fuse for continuity and that was the issue, popped in a new one and it turned over!

didn't start so waited a bit and turned it over again which it did and then electronic smoke started coming from the control board.
ordering new control board now...

Thanks Brett!
'90 u280
Bringing back the glory of this grand villa!

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #3 –
The universe is on my side apparently.  Just found a brand new control board in the box of parts that came with the rig!  8)
'90 u280
Bringing back the glory of this grand villa!

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #4 –
A blown fuse replaced and then a smoking control board sounds like a direct short that may also fry your new control board. Search forum for genset surge and find this, a complete service manual.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://campkahler.com/files/onan/NHE-A-C-Service.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi0jPGnmpziAhUrnq0KHc1uAGEQFjAAegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw2FsK1EZuYcOTzjhJ64og4J
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #5 –
I'm on my morning coffee right now, but I do have some experience trouble shooting that generator.  There are two connections to the outside world from that control board, +12V to the starter relay, so check for a short on that line as the wires are really crammed in that area, and +12V to the field coil to get that process started.  So I'd check for AC coming in from the shore power.  The transfer switch is supposed to keep the two separate, but at this stage who knows?

I repaired the control board in mine, I got lucky.  Here's my write up.

arts-attic.com | Personal web log for Art Joly
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #6 –
Well Phred was right.  In my excitement I put in the new board and essentially the same thing happened.  So now I have two fried control boards.

When I was taking it out for the second time I noticed that the wiring looked like someone was trying to get fancy and there were a couple terminals in there with black tape over them (unplugged) . I'm assuming they were troubleshooting.

My next step is to grab the wiring diagrams I have and make sure all . the wires are in proper place and check the service manuals to make sure I didn't miss anything else.

Thanks all for your help I'm planning to report back soon with good news.
'90 u280
Bringing back the glory of this grand villa!

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #7 –
Blaine,

Minor point:  A U280 can NOT be an ORED (OSHKOSH rear engine diesel).

The U280 is a semi-monoque chassis built completely by Foretravel.

An ORED is a chassis built by Oshkosh (later bought out by Freightliner) on which Foretravel built a coach.

Again, welcome to the ForeForum.  Letting everyone know exactly what you have will aid in getting you accurate information.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: New owner of a u280 ORED (onan genset question)

Reply #8 –
Quote from: blaine –
Well Phred was right.  In my excitement I put in the new board and essentially the same thing happened.  So now I have two fried control boards.

When I was taking it out for the second time I noticed that the wiring looked like someone was trying to get fancy and there were a couple terminals in there with black tape over them (unplugged) . I'm assuming they were troubleshooting.


Some of what I learned about my 4KW Onan Emerald cost me two large toe nails and some skin on a blustery 10°F morning replacing the starter solenoid in a parking lot. 
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.