swb7
burlington
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Joined: 12/11/2008
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thanks for the advice. when my gen stops it just stops as if you turned it off, no sputtering, seems as if the spark is suddenly gone.
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Gene in NE
Omaha
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Joined: 09/15/2003
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swb7 - What shape is your coach 12V battery? Not positive, but strongly believe that the generator needs 12V for spark ignition. Not sure why the generator would not provide the same 120V as shore power to the converter for the 12V needs. It is a little hard to imagine why unplugging the shore power would cause the generator to stall. Unless, of course, the generator never gets to produce 120V because of a tripped circuit breaker.
It very easily could be what "Handbasket" suggests.
2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy (click View Profile)
Gene
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wsfurrie
Florida
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Joined: 09/14/2007
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It sounds as though may have a transfer switch problem. Also, what was he load that was applied, if it was the AC that may be the problem. High head pressure can cause the generator to quit from too much of a load. If the generator starts and runs I would look elsewhere.
Wayne
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swb7
burlington
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I think the gen quit after unplugging the 120V when it was going to "take up" the 120V load in the van. I had nothing turned on in the van except the microwave clock & maybe other small incental loads. I feel that somehow the gen quits as soon as it is asked for any power (ie as soon as the transfer switch operates). When it does quit it will still turn over fine but won't start again for hours or the next day.
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georgelesley
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2010
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Sounds like a 12 volt problem to me. I think Liketoroam is onto it. I would test voltage as close to the gen as possible, then trace back or forwards until I lose it. It may seem like a 120 volt problem, but I doubt it. It could be that when it does run the converter which it powers takes the place of the battery which might just have bad connections, thus leading you to believe it it a 120 volt issue when it may not be. I took my Onan out from under our class B and after putting a new carb on it ran it on the ground with only a battery to start it. Ours runs without putting 120 volts out, in fact there is a 10-15 second delay before it puts out 120 volts while the engine speed stabilizes. After many RV's over many years I have found out most electrical issues are gound/connection related.
George & Lesley
1999 20' American Cruiser
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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The Onan 2.8 only uses battery voltage for ignition while cranking. Once the start button is released, it relies totally on self-generation for ignition. If it's not making 120V, it dies when the start button is released. I've had this confirmed by Onan techs here and IRL several times. If it's running after the start button is released, it's making 120V.
There's no delay in output; that's apparently in the transfer switch. My Tiger doesn't have a transfer switch, and stuff starts coming to life as soon as the generator starts, no delay.
Jim, "Some of us learn from the mistakes of others. The rest of us have to be the others."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
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bobo35
Baton Rouge, La. USA
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Joined: 02/03/2001
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Ok..On mine the generator would start only when a load was applied first and then it would run when cranked.
All the best! SW
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swb7
burlington
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Joined: 12/11/2008
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Finally took my van into the ONAN repair shop. They tell me the flywheel & ignitor need replacing. About $1300. plus tax, OUCH.
They have to order in the parts so will be a few days before I get it back.
Hope I get lots of use this summer.
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retraite
Wanderin' about
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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You said your rig was a '96 PW. If your genset is "original", that would make it about 16 years old.
Were it me, if I really liked my "rig", I'd at least consider replacing the failed genset with a new one, rather than a $1,300 repair to a 16 year old unit (that could wind up being more). Time does have a way of surprising one with "new" costs.
Things I'd consider would be hours on the current genset, my opinion of its condition, how much I would be using it in the future, and just how important having power is to me. In my own case, I would not want to be without power - for a host of personal reasons.
Call it anal if you wish, but we usually take along a Honda 2000 - just in case. We usually pull an enclosed and insulated utility trailer, so room and weight are not an issue. The added benefit is I sometimes start the Honda in the "ventilated" trailer, run a cable to our PW, and, voila, we have power whenever we want it (except for the A/C), even in a "no genny" setting since no one can hear it running.
YMMV.
Cheers.
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sergeant76
New Bedford, MA
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Joined: 04/28/2004
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Like retraite, I take along a Honda Eu1000i as it fits under the bed/sofa against the rear door. I take it with us when traveling to FL like now. Should the Onan quit working I have the Honda to run a small Ceramic Heater if needed.
I also have a Honda Eu2000i, would take it if I am towing our Haulmark 5x10 enclosed cargo trailer, which is kept in the trailer.
The Honda Eu2000i does operate the AC in our RoadTrek.
Ron
Ron & Rose Cabral
New Bedford, MA
2010 Chevy/RoadTrek190 Popular
FMCA: 303873 ~K1RRC~ E-mail: RRCRT@aol.com
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