Has anyone ever lowered their pick-up tube for your diesel generator? I was on our maiden voyage with our m/h this past Thursday. The generator died and wouldn't restart because it was below the pick-up tube in the diesel tank. I was probably OVER 2/3 full. I dipped the tank and the gauge is accurate. In fact, my 134 gallon tank would only take 33 gallons when the genset quit. After filling up, the genset ran like a charm again. The code it flashed was "low fuel". I see several fittings on the diesel tank. Does anyone know which one goes to the genset and how do I lower the pick-up tube so it won't quit until it gets down to 1/4 or 1/3 tank left. I don't know if it's a rubber hose, steel line or something else that runs down inside the tank.Thanks for any responses.

If you have a rubber hose coming from the main tank then you might try pinching each one off until you find the one for the generator. Then, if the fitting is removable, and not soldered, you may be able to take it loose and lengthen the pick-up hose. Just a guess on my part for what it's worth.

Once you trace the line that goes to your generator hopefully you have enough room above to remove it's dip tube that screws into the tank. My guess is you have a hole in it at the 2/3 full level. If you do not have enough room to remove I would put a T in the line going to the engine to feed the generator before I'd drop the tank.

I did it once on Bounder. The coach had 120 gallons tank that was going whole width of the house body. I had smell at fill ups, so had to find pick up pipes and to my disbelieve, after taking small cover at the bottom of bedroom closet - I did have access to pickup assembly. So after fixing new gasket, I notice smaller pickup pipe having hose extender that ended up couple inches shorter than main pick up. I simply moved the hose 1" farther and clamped it there.

Your Monaco has a separate Pick up tube. At least some Roadmaster chassis do. Regardless, all you do is lift the pick up/sender up and out and add a short length of Hose to the Genset side. But, I would bet the problem is in your tank. I have never seen a Roadmaster chassis with a Genset pick up tube that high in the tank. I would suspect someone has switched the correct pick up tube with the RETURN fuel tube input. THAT would cause your 2/3rds problem. The GOOD news is, you can access the Pickup/sender unit without dropping the tank on Roadmaster Chassis's. You will have the Aqua Hot Pick up tube also if you have an Aqua Hot system. JUST remembered, You have 2 fuel lines going to the Genset. ONE is the supply feed and the other is the return feed. IF those are reversed at the Genset, you will experience your type problem. This can happen when the genset has been pulled to be worked on or the Fuel lines have been disconnected and they are installed backwards. So, I would reverse the Genset lines and then when the Fuel gets below 1/2 tank see if the Genset runs. Doug

Extended my generator fuel pickup tube an extra 3 inches. I traced the pickup line from the generator and then removed the pickup tube from the tank. I was able to purchase a nylon fuel line repair kit at Auto Zone PN 800-064 for $15.99. The kit came with both a 5/16 and 3/8 nylon fuel line about 18 inches long. I needed the 5/16 line. I just cut off the old nylon line, heated the end of the new line with a hair dryer and it slipped right on the fitting. I trimmed the line at a 45 degree angle 3 inches longer than the original pickup tube. I really don't rely on my fuel gauge and try to fill around 500 miles into a tank so don't think I will have any problems as that is about 3/4 of a tank. Just tired of my generator running out of fuel on the hills at about 300 miles in to a tank.

How do I lower the pick-up tube for my genset | Good Sam Community

DSDP_Don
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016
Many have done the pick up tube mod. If you buy the assembly from Centroid or Monaco, the metal tube is longer than needed. You can than cut it to the length you want. Just be careful what you wish for.....don't run the coach out of fuel whileparked using the generator.
Tinstar
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
dougrainer wrote:
swapping the feed and return lines are easy. There are only 2 fuel lines at the rear bottom of the Genset. You just swap. No need to trace or go to the Fuel Pick up tube at the fuel tank. IF this was a problem from when it was built, do you really think the previous owners over 13 years would not have found this problem? And IF a problem, not corrected it? Odds are the Genset was worked on or the fuel lines at the Pick up tube were worked on and they reversed the hoses. Doug

Since there is no harm, I'll go ahead and switch them then.
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 18, 2016
swapping the feed and return lines are easy. There are only 2 fuel lines at the rear bottom of the Genset. You just swap. No need to trace or go to the Fuel Pick up tube at the fuel tank. IF this was a problem from when it was built, do you really think the previous owners over 13 years would not have found this problem? And IF a problem, not corrected it? Odds are the Genset was worked on or the fuel lines at the Pick up tube were worked on and they reversed the hoses. Doug
Tinstar
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
dougrainer wrote:
You jumped to the conclusion you have a fuel pick up tube problem. But, your unit is 13 years old? Have you always owned it or is it a recent purchase. The pick up tube on a Roadmaster is metal, so I will bet the feed and return lines are reversed at the Genset. Doug

No, I have not always owned it. This was my maiden voyage. I think we may just not be communicating our thoughts. I'm seeing it as a problem with the fuel pick-up line if they are switched.

My plan was to locate the fuel line that feeds the genset and the return line that goes back to the tank. If and when it does it again, I'm hoping I will be able to swap those lines and then try to restart it. If it runs until it's down at least somewhere below half a tank of fuel, I will assume the lines are switched. If it doesn't restart but does after refilling, then I'll assume it's something else.

I'm just trying to use a process of elimination but I'm certainly open to suggestions and appreciate any advice you have.
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 18, 2016
Tinstar wrote:
dougrainer wrote:
You are confused. Your post states you have a Pick up tube problem. There is NO WAY a Genset or ANYTHING can tell you that. That code is ONAN for operational PROBLEMS with their Gensets. Doug

Well, I guess I am confused then. I read code 36 to indicate the genset was not getting fuel. It was my assumption that it was not getting fuel due to the fuel level being below the pick up tube for the genset inside the tank,,, especially when I fueled up and the genset worked again. What am I missing.

You jumped to the conclusion you have a fuel pick up tube problem. But, your unit is 13 years old? Have you always owned it or is it a recent purchase. The pick up tube on a Roadmaster is metal, so I will bet the feed and return lines are reversed at the Genset. Doug
Tinstar
Explorer
Aug 18, 2016
dougrainer wrote:
You are confused. Your post states you have a Pick up tube problem. There is NO WAY a Genset or ANYTHING can tell you that. That code is ONAN for operational PROBLEMS with their Gensets. Doug

Well, I guess I am confused then. I read code 36 to indicate the genset was not getting fuel. It was my assumption that it was not getting fuel due to the fuel level being below the pick up tube for the genset inside the tank,,, especially when I fueled up and the genset worked again. What am I missing.
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 17, 2016
Tinstar wrote:
dougrainer wrote:
You are confused about something. The Genset HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING YOUR FUEL SITUATION OR THE PICK UP TUBE LENGTH. That code is for when the Genset runs out of fuel. So, Onan assumes you have a fuel tank problem. There are NO sensors or any such wiring that tells the Genset that information. You can have a Fuel Pump problem. You can have ANY problem that is causing a lack fuel supply. Doug

No, I'm not confused. I just didn't write out the actually 36 code text. I just cut through the chase and wrote the bottom line.

You are confused. Your post states you have a Pick up tube problem. There is NO WAY a Genset or ANYTHING can tell you that. That code is ONAN for operational PROBLEMS with their Gensets. Doug
Tinstar
Explorer
Aug 17, 2016
dougrainer wrote:
You are confused about something. The Genset HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING YOUR FUEL SITUATION OR THE PICK UP TUBE LENGTH. That code is for when the Genset runs out of fuel. So, Onan assumes you have a fuel tank problem. There are NO sensors or any such wiring that tells the Genset that information. You can have a Fuel Pump problem. You can have ANY problem that is causing a lack fuel supply. Doug

No, I'm not confused. I just didn't write out the actually 36 code text. I just cut through the chase and wrote the bottom line.
Hikerdogs
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
If you keep running out of fuel at the same level it's possible the rubber fuel line has a split or crack at that point. I would be surprised if the pickup tube is too short. I wouldn't be surprised if it has deteriorated over time.
Playtime_II
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016
Good luck getting it to repeat consistently. Mine is suppose to stop at 1/4 tank but Ive had it stop just below 1/2 on several occasions. When it did it was just after a hard curve (Interstate exit ramp) or rough roads (AL, LA) inducing the hobby horse or worse. Shutting off has to be hard on the Air Conditioners.

Forum Discussion

How do I lower the pick-up tube for my genset

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Pick up truck remembrance !

Pick up for TC

Picking up Truck Camper

Picking up new camper

Picked up 2014 Adventurer 80RB