Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Bedroom Generator Start Switch (Read 586 times) previous topic - next topic

Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Getting projects ready for spring.
The generator START switch doesn't work. The switch on the dash does and the switch on the Onan Emerald III also works.
I have looked thru my electrical schematics and see nothing about the bedroom switch.
Also, I tried (last summer) bypassing the switch and nothing happens.
Is there a fuse somewhere I don't know about?
Two years ago I replaced the circuit board with a Dinosaur  brand circuit board and this enabled the dash and the switch on the gen to work.
I'm wondering if a rodent took a liking to the wiring.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #1 –
Could it be you never wired the bedroom switch back up when you replaced the board?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #2 –
Shouldn't be possible (didn't say Ain't) because the connector contains all the wires that go to the control board.
The bedroom start switch used to work when we first got the coach. Then the bedroom switch and the switch on the generator circuit board quit. All I had left was the switch on the dash.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #3 –
That's odd - I don't see anything about the generator start switches on my schematics either.  Never looked for them before cuz our switches always work.

Prediction: Next time I try to start the generator, it won't. 

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #4 –
Do the different switches go through relays?  If so you might try switching the relays to see if the problem follows that relay.  Or just change it since they're cheap. 
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #5 –
I would imagine that the switches go through a latching relay.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #6 –
OK, so where is this "latching" relay? Remember, this is 1988 technology, and the electric schematics are dated 1986.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #7 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
OK, so where is this "latching" relay? Remember, this is 1988 technology, and the electric schematics are dated 1986.
It's on the board and it's electrically latched, the same as when you have momentary on-off buttons.

I'd check the connection at the board for the inside switches, but I would not be surprised if you find that you have a board problem.  The Onan service manual does have a logic diagram in addition to the wiring diagram.
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: Bedroom Generator Start Switch

Reply #8 –
If the generator starts and stops from the dash then the wiring to the circuit board is fine. It would be a wiring problem between the bedroom and the dash.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins