2014 AI generator fail

[Hammertime]

Hello again!

Today as we were packing for a trip, we turned on the Onan generator to run the AC to get things cooled off. Everything was running fine until after 20 minutes, there was a brief burning smell coming from the rear outside of the vehicle and then the generator just stopped working. No noises or anything. Upon trying to recrank, the genset just made a higher pitched noise than usual and would not recrank.

Any ideas of what could be going on?

[Lily&Me]

I'm not sure, but we did have wasps build a nest up in ours once, which had to be cleaned out and a bit of screen put over to prevent it from happening again.

I'd find a service place, and have it looked at.

Cummins Crosspoint does mine.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Blackpearl

Today as we were packing for a trip, we turned on the Onan generator to run the AC to get things cooled off. Everything was running fine until after 20 minutes, there was a brief burning smell coming from the rear outside of the vehicle and then the generator just stopped working. No noises or anything. Upon trying to recrank, the genset just made a higher pitched noise than usual and would not recrank.

If it ran for 20 minutes before giving up the ghost, low oil is a likely culprit. But that's hard to check (you've got to crawl underneath to do it) so check the easy things first.

The easiest thing to check is… does it have enough propane?

[Hammertime]

Thanks! Propane sensor does read 3/4 full. I think it's a pretty accurate reading with how we have used the propane since the last fill up. We will check the oil! Logical.

[camlivy]

I didn't think the OE generator on the 2014 AI was enough to run the A/C?

[InterBlog]

When in doubt, we always double-check the propane by lighting the stove. Our indicator gauge has never been reliable.

This next part for general reference only and standard disclaimers henceforth apply. You could kill yourself if you attempt the following and it's not done properly.

If you have to crawl under your vehicle, especially for the generator which is so low-slung to start with, you might want to use stackers and chocks. Jack up the rear end on stackers and chock the front wheels. And set the emergency brake.

We have a T1N, so we have single rear wheels, and I use fourteen Valterra stackers, seven staggered on each side, with wheel stoppers so I don't overrun them, which would be really bad particularly in view of how I'm using them. I've attached a sketch of my favorite stacker config. It's not the most conservative config because it necessitates some dead air, but as long as your force vector does not overrun the solid portion of the stack, it will work. This gives maximum safe height for minimum number of stackers carried onboard our Interstate. If not this, I'd have to carry more than 14 to achieve the same result and that is out of the question - I don't have the space.

Dual rear wheels may necessitate a different approach entirely.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by camlivy

I didn't think the OE generator on the 2014 AI was enough to run the A/C?

If it doesn't, we were told wrong. I bet we have run it at least 12 hours with the generator.

[Streamracer]

Could be the oil level, but if you are smelling burnt smell, (electrical) it could be the armature cooked or stator. Usually the armature. If not the oil level take it to a dealer. Hope it is under warranty.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by camlivy

I didn't think the OE generator on the 2014 AI was enough to run the A/C?

It should be enough as long as you don't run any other 120VAC items. I have run my A/C off the generator many times on my 2013 AI, which has the same setup as the 2014 models.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[73shark]

I just ran my generator all the way (2 1/2 days) to Florida w/ the A/C, two TVs, refrigerator, Xbox One, and bathroom exhaust fan on. I did turn the invertor off since the EMS did trip the A/C off once when it was about 95* outside. Probably could have made it on one tank but stopped and filled w/ eight gallons (holds about 12 when completely empty) since were close to a U-Haul and everyone gets real cranky in the back w/o A/C.