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Topic: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds (Read 874 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Power Tech 10k

Starts up fine, runs 20-30 seconds then shuts down.

Shut off breakers at generator to eliminate possibe coach wiring.

No fault codes at panel on generator.
Red light solid fault light ON at remote on dash.

Water and oil are at correct levels, radiator fan operating normal.

Things were going so well...

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #1 –
Will it start back up right after it shuts down?

Not sure your has a preheat switch but if it does, while pressing the button does the fuel pump run.

 I had same problem and was a bad fuel pump. Replaced and all is well

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #2 –
Do you have more than a 1/4 tank of fuel?

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #3 –
Quote from: turbojack –
Will it start back up right after it shuts down?

Not sure your has a preheat switch but if it does, while pressing the button does the fuel pump run.

 I had same problem and was a bad fuel pump. Replaced and all is well
It seems to pre-heat automatically...when I hit the start button the fuel pump cycles for a few seconds then starts. It will start right back up if I go to the generator and reset the "Main" on off switch.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #4 –
Ours did the same thing and the cause was the fuel supply line. Do the gallon jug of fuel test. If it keeps running, the line was the problem. You can also open the T handled return valve (if you have one) a turn or two to let air return to the tank while the engine is running.

Pierce

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #5 –
When it shuts down does it sag stumble then quit? That's fuel or does it quit like you turned the switch off? That's electrical.
Make a decision then you can chase the right side of the problem.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Ours did the same thing and the cause was the fuel supply line. Do the gallon jug of fuel test. If it keeps running, the line was the problem. You can also open the T handled return valve (if you have one) a turn or two to let air return to the tank while the engine is running.

Pierce
Thanks Pierce, so I'm assuming run a line from the external electric fuel pump to a can and if stays running then I have an issue from the tank? Could it be pulling air or would it be a blockage?

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #7 –
Quote from: John Duld –
When it shuts down does it sag stumble then quit? That's fuel or does it quit like you turned the switch off? That's electrical.
Make a decision then you can chase the right side of the problem.
It definitely shuts off abruptly like you shut it down from the switch...just weird no fault codes at the generator.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John Duld –
When it shuts down does it sag stumble then quit? That's fuel or does it quit like you turned the switch off? That's electrical.
Make a decision then you can chase the right side of the problem.
John makes an excellent point. Sudden shutoff does sound electrical. Ours stumbled for a few seconds and then stopped. Possible electrical gremlin in the switch?

Pierce

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #9 –
I had a very similar problem. I replaced the breaker for the fan and all was well.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #10 –
Bad oil pressure switch can also cause this.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
I had a very similar problem. I replaced the breaker for the fan and all was well.
Where was your breaker for the fan, is it in the control box on top of the generator? Did your fan still function with the bad breaker? Mine seems to be working fine.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #12 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
Power Tech 10k

Starts up fine, runs 20-30 seconds then shuts down.

Shut off breakers at generator to eliminate possibe coach wiring.

No fault codes at panel on generator.
Red light solid fault light ON at remote on dash.

Water and oil are at correct levels, radiator fan operating normal.

Things were going so well...

I had the exact  same issue with my Power Tech and it was the oil pressure switch.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #13 –
Before you start throwing parts and money at the problem, try simple things first.  Disconnect and reconnect every electrical connector that you can see in the front of the engine.  I know it sounds too simple to be true, but that fixed the exact same issue on another powertech in Dec.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #14 –
...and now I blew a fuse somewhere...I pulled the 4 wires off behind the remote switches at the dash and one of the hot wires touched some metal. I'm not at the coach now but I'm hoping it's the fuse right on front of the control box

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #15 –
Looking around for the fuse for the on/off switch and not having any luck, can someone point me in the right direction? The schematic shows a fuse in between on/off switch and battery...but that could mean many things in reality

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #16 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
Looking around for the fuse for the on/off switch and not having any luck, can someone point me in the right direction? The schematic shows a fuse in between on/off switch and battery...but that could mean many things in reality

By on-off switch, do you mean the salesman's switch by the entry door?  Perhaps you're looking for the big (350A-ish) fuse near the batteries themselves?

Or is this the generator on-off switch?

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Michelle –
By on-off switch, do you mean the salesman's switch by the entry door?  Perhaps you're looking for the big (350A-ish) fuse near the batteries themselves?

Or is this the generator on-off switch?
The generator on off switch, I grounded it out by accident so something blew...a fuse or a relay?

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #18 –
Dylan,
I had similar issue on our genset. May/may not apply to yours. Our sudden shut down was caused by previous service tech replacing fuel hose behind genset and not checking for the possibility of fuel hose being bent/kinked resulting when the genset is pushed back into coach on it's slides. He did not look underneath after pushing gen back into coach since gen ran properly after his work. All seemed good for a significant time as the stiffness of new hose allowed gen to run properly until road vibration and time parked over winter caused bend in hose to collapse enough to cut off fuel flow needed when gen runs. Fuel starvation. I never expected fuel being the issue because gen rarely stumbled when shutting down.

Much success to you. I look forward to hearing of your solution. Having our coach is always an adventure for us, when moving AND parked! Always worth it!

I can't speak to the electrical fault possibilities. Wish I could help you there.

Re: Generator stops running after 20-30 seconds

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Mike J –
Dylan,
I had similar issue on our genset. May/may not apply to yours. Our sudden shut down was caused by previous service tech replacing fuel hose behind genset and not checking for the possibility of fuel hose being bent/kinked resulting when the genset is pushed back into coach on it's slides. He did not look underneath after pushing gen back into coach since gen ran properly after his work. All seemed good for a significant time as the stiffness of new hose allowed gen to run properly until road vibration and time parked over winter caused bend in hose to collapse enough to cut off fuel flow needed when gen runs. Fuel starvation. I never expected fuel being the issue because gen rarely stumbled when shutting down.

Much success to you. I look forward to hearing of your solution. Having our coach is always an adventure for us, when moving AND parked! Always worth it!

I can't speak to the electrical fault possibilities. Wish I could help you there.
Appreciate the info, I did have the genny out last year so it's something I'll definitely check 👍

Gotta fix this blown fuse issue 1st though