Onan 5.5 HGJAB start UPDATE

So it starts and then stalls, or doesn't start now? Has the maintenance been kept up (air filter, fuel filter, oil, etc?). Did you check oil level?

2 diff issues Bill. I've had an on-going problem with it quitting after 20-30 minutes. I have: new carb, new fuel pump, new gas and air filters, oil and filter change.

BUT, that is not the problem now because I cannot start it to see if the new fuel pump fixed it. I've done what was listed in the starting post. Thanks!

Belgique wrote:
2 diff issues Bill. I've had an on-going problem with it quitting after 20-30 minutes. I have: new carb, new fuel pump, new gas and air filters, oil and filter change.

BUT, that is not the problem now because I cannot start it to see if the new fuel pump fixed it. I've done what was listed in the starting post. Thanks!

10-4, past my level of expertise on the subject at this point. One of the mechanic gurus hopefully can help and we both can learn.

Belgique wrote:
Batteries are fairly new, clean, full of water, and showing 14.4V with a meter.

I hope that was measured when plugged into shore power or with the truck running.

Measure the voltage at the battery when you try to start it.
Then measure the voltage at the gen when trying.

If BOTH readings drop below 10.5, then you have battery(s) going bad or something has the starter locked up; that could be the gen engine.

If the two readings are both above 10.5 but a lot different, then you have a bad connection.

The lights dimming during the start attempt tends to indicate that something is failing rather than just a connection problem.

Thanks Sam. Will check that shortly when the sun goes down a bit. Yes, 14.15 was with the Ford engine running and on Shore.

Now to figure out which batteries house or chassis power the genset

You might also check the electrical box where the wires from the generator connect with the electrical system. My gen set experienced the same issue, turned out the plastic cap on a wire nut fell off and when the generator kicked on, the power went straight to ground, generator shut off completely.

Good luck.

At the Genset it drops to 8V +/- when starter pressed. At the house battery bank (2 ea 12V) it is around 11V when starter pressed. AZA: connections all check and thanks for that suggestion.

The starter seems to want to try but not enough juice.

Belgique wrote:
At the Genset it drops to 8V +/- when starter pressed. At the house battery bank (2 ea 12V) it is around 11V when starter pressed.

AZA: connections all check and thanks for that suggestion.

The starter seems to want to try but not enough juice.

Well all of the connections aren't good. The voltage at the gen should be within a half a volt or so of what it is at the battery.

Did you check the negative connections.....grounds ??

You have entirely too much voltage loss from the batteries to the generator.....indicating a bad connection somewhere. Outside chance that the solenoid is bad but not likely I think.

Note:
If you are not plugged in.....and the truck isn't running.....it should be trying to start from the house batteries only. plugging in adds the converter/charger. Running the truck should bridge in that battery too.

I'll check again

I've touched and moved and re-tighten'd every connection I could find. Time to let someone smarter than me (and that won't be hard) look at it but that won't happen soon because we have a slight schedule. Just swelter a little. Could be worse.

Thanks all for the ideas.