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Air Dog · 08-17-2014, 02:21 PM

I'd start out checking connections.

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m.hony · 08-17-2014, 03:40 PM

We have some friends with an Onan. They have spent at least. $1,000 fixing it, and it still doesn't work.

Air Dog · 08-17-2014, 07:55 PM

Another quick diagnostic is engine speed. Should be running at 1800 rpms. If you have a multi meter that measures frequency, check for 60hz. If you have a timing light that displays RPMs it should show 1800. That will tell you if it's the engine or the Generator.

If it's low rpms, it could be as simple as a dirty air cleaner.

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Vycan · 08-17-2014, 09:27 PM

The AS at NASA as promised.

Air Dog, is your genset bolted in position, or is it on a winch or slide out tray? Ours is bolted, making maintenance difficult, and requires a transmission/atv/waverunner jack. Don't have that with me

Air Dog · 08-18-2014, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vycan

The AS at NASA as promised.

Air Dog, is your genset bolted in position, or is it on a winch or slide out tray? Ours is bolted, making maintenance difficult, and requires a transmission/atv/waverunner jack. Don't have that with me

It's bolted in. I haven't had to remove it for any maintenance. So far it run great. About 450 hours on it now. I change the oil and filters every year before putting it up for the winter.
I run it about once a month and warm it up. I always let it run for a couple minutes before loading it up with A/C units. I let it cool down a couple minutes with the big loads off before shutting it down.

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Vycan · 08-18-2014, 07:34 AM

i cannot remove the air filter due to clearance issues. there is a junction box bolted in the top right corner of the compartment. additionally cannot reach the lp fuel filter, b/c it is behind the air filter assembly, but that's only from reading the manual, cannot actually see it.

Air Dog · 08-18-2014, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vycan

i cannot remove the air filter due to clearance issues. there is a junction box bolted in the top right corner of the compartment. additionally cannot reach the lp fuel filter, b/c it is behind the air filter assembly, but that's only from reading the manual, cannot actually see it.

That is kind of a screwed up "design". I removed the box and replaced it with a smaller conduit pull box. It gives me room to service the air filter. Mark the wires before you undo the wire nuts. Good bet it hasn't been serviced in awhile. If you run it on the road its in a very dusty location.

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Air Dog · 08-18-2014, 12:08 PM

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mayco · 08-18-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vycan

i cannot remove the air filter due to clearance issues. there is a junction box bolted in the top right corner of the compartment. additionally cannot reach the lp fuel filter, b/c it is behind the air filter assembly, but that's only from reading the manual, cannot actually see it.

So......there is a fuel filter on these LP Onan generators??? I sure didnt realize that.

Air Dog · 08-18-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayco

So......there is a fuel filter on these LP Onan generators??? I sure didnt realize that.

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There actually is. Just to keep crap out of the orfise that expands the liquid propane to gas. The line from the tank to the carb is liquid.

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Air Dog · 08-18-2014, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air Dog

Attachment 219309

There actually is. Just to keep crap out of the orfise that expands the liquid propane to gas. The line from the tank to the carb is liquid.

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mayco · 08-18-2014, 01:27 PM

Thanks, i missed that one.

Air Dog · 08-18-2014, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayco

Thanks, i missed that one.

They very seldom clog up.

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Vycan · 08-18-2014, 08:24 PM

had a moment today to dig around, managed to get the air box out. it required an angled pull down and slightly to the rear, then straight out.... yep... makes no sense in words, but i could show someone how to do it if ever needed. sorry no video posting here. anyway, still dies... so i tried an oil change, oil looked good, but figured it could not hurt. no luck. now have an appointment with the generator doctor to diagnose and troubleshoot. all connections are fine, definitely something with the generator, as it will not even change rpms to adjust for load, just spools down until it cuts itself off.

guilty confession: i read the manual, but not close enough apparently. after Air Dog mentioned the couple minutes warm up and cool down under no loads, i thought.... that's not in the manual.... and sure enough it was there... so, i think i have only myself to blame for this one.,,, running both ac's in summer tx heat, and then turning off.... well this will be an expensive noob mistake. biggest gripe is the family has to suffer for it... oh well, vacation is still excellent, and the stopover at my parents house was planned to have rv stored, but now i get free storage at the repair shop.

Vycan · 08-20-2014, 12:32 PM

so dropped it off at the mechanics, and they diagnosed the issue is the propane side of the generator. apparently the PO never serviced it on the propane side, because it is not visible or easily accessible. the mechanics are telling me it will be about $1,300 to repair, because they need to replace the regulator, lines (original from 1994), and heat exchanger. he told me it was not accepting the load because the regulator was stuck full open, and why it has a strong propane smell at the exhaust. so good news, i didn't kill it, bad news, lack of knowledge and preventative maintenance killed it.... so i guess i still killed it. after reading tony's story i am very apprehensive about having any work done at a mechanic.

Air Dog · 08-20-2014, 06:45 PM

If you can live without it for the rest of your trip I'd wait until you can do the job yourself. Research it a bit and pull the generator. You will gain valuable experience with it and save a bunch of money. Then share your experience here.

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Vycan · 08-20-2014, 07:40 PM

Sadly this is not an option. Happy wife = happy life. She is more against spending Money than I am, so I know it is very important to her. I did drop it at a cummins power center, anyone have feedback from these?

Air Dog · 08-21-2014, 04:19 AM

If it helps, that's about the same money I spent on a road trip having a new alternator put in my Audi at a dealership.

If you have the chance, try to get a look at exactly what they do and replace as it might be worth me doing as PM.

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Vycan · 08-21-2014, 08:47 PM

already have the mechanic sworn to retain old parts, and walk me through the process. so far impressed by their customer service, but their deadline is tomorrow. will see if they can meet it, and deliver on their promises.