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

Tinstar wrote:

FIRE UP wrote:

Tinstar,

First off, let me ask you something. Before you go off and modify something, how many times has this happened to you? That is, does your generator stop, at the same EXACT FUEL TANK LEVEL, each and every time? Or, has this only done it one time. That is, how long have you owned the coach, used the generator, different fuel levels, and more? If this is the first time with this issue, I'd maybe, just for grins, fill it up, record everything, fuel level, generator hours, and run that coach 'till the tank level drops to what level you THINK the gen will quit at.

Then, you can do what you want, based on your test results. Or, just change what others have told you to change, your choice.
Scott

This was our maiden voyage Scott. I've had it for almost 3 months. I will probably not change anything unless it does it again and it quits at about the same fuel level. I'll go ahead and locate the supply and return lines. If it quits about the same level, maybe I can switch the lines around and see if it corrects. I'll be able to kill two birds with one stone. I can't see it doing anything different since I dipped the tank to check the fuel level and I tried to get it to run about 4 times after it quit and before I refilled. It gave me the same error "36" (low fuel level). BUT, it won't hurt anything to see what it does.

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

FIRE UP wrote:

Tinstar,

First off, let me ask you something. Before you go off and modify something, how many times has this happened to you? That is, does your generator stop, at the same EXACT FUEL TANK LEVEL, each and every time? Or, has this only done it one time. That is, how long have you owned the coach, used the generator, different fuel levels, and more? If this is the first time with this issue, I'd maybe, just for grins, fill it up, record everything, fuel level, generator hours, and run that coach 'till the tank level drops to what level you THINK the gen will quit at.

Then, you can do what you want, based on your test results. Or, just change what others have told you to change, your choice.
Scott

This was our maiden voyage Scott. I've had it for almost 3 months. I will probably not change anything unless it does it again and it quits at about the same fuel level. I'll go ahead and locate the supply and return lines. If it quits about the same level, maybe I can switch the lines around and see if it corrects. I'll be able to kill two birds with one stone. I can't see it doing anything different since I dipped the tank to check the fuel level and I tried to get it to run about 4 times after it quit and before I refilled. It gave me the same error "36" (low fuel level). BUT, it won't hurt anything to see what it does.

Tinstar wrote:
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.

Tinstar,

First off, let me ask you something. Before you go off and modify something, how many times has this happened to you? That is, does your generator stop, at the same EXACT FUEL TANK LEVEL, each and every time? Or, has this only done it one time. That is, how long have you owned the coach, used the generator, different fuel levels, and more? If this is the first time with this issue, I'd maybe, just for grins, fill it up, record everything, fuel level, generator hours, and run that coach 'till the tank level drops to what level you THINK the gen will quit at.

Then, you can do what you want, based on your test results. Or, just change what others have told you to change, your choice.
Scott

First try Dougrainer's suggestion. Sounds very likely to me.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.