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Buster52's avatar
Buster52
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014

Onan Generator most likely problems

I have been working on my new/used Southwind. The coach is a mystery to me. The rig is very dusty and show a lot of rust and corrosion too. Working on the generator it too is very dusty through out like it was a very dry climate. But the slip rings was corrosion heavy, along with some of the connection. Now I find the voltage regulator connection shows a lot of corrosion and may need replacing. As I was looking up the replacement voltage regulator, I noticed a statement that it is the most replaced part do it failure. But when I was looking at the control board it too was the most replace part. Other sites say the slip rings are the most trouble some part. So what is the real most trouble some part? Also I found the generator had several places were silicone was heavily applied. The connector of the brushes and the voltage regulator connection(didn't help). Does this generator have a on going problem? Or is this a problem with other generators?
Class A

7 Replies

  • Buster52's avatar
    Buster52
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2014
    Thank you all for your input about Onan Generators. Yes maintenance on anything is needed. And the rig I bought looked like it was maintained, but that was not the case. The control board would only work from the remote switch. I replaced it and it still would not keep running when I let go the button. Found that it was not producing any electricity. I believe it is now the voltage regulator. Slip rings were dirty, so I cleaned them too. Also noticed a lot of silicone on the brush block and the voltage regulator. When I looked up to buy the control board the sites said that the control board was the leading cause of problems with the generator. Then when I looked up the voltage regulator they said that was the leading cause of problems in the generator. Looked up silicone on the brush block and read that moisture from ocean air shorted out the electrical parts of the generator and to use silicone on all the connection to keep the moisture out. With all the posting of the problems others were having with the generators made me wonder was the generator as good as I had heard. Thanks Again. Hope the new voltage regulator fixes my problems.
  • BUB1988's avatar
    BUB1988
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2014
    X2 Old-Biscuit:
    2 rigs with ONAN generators: 1988 Fleetwood Southwind only problem was having to tune it, change the oil and filters. Ran it once a month under full load for at least an hour. Never any problems. Now we have a 2003 with diesel generator and not any issues either, other than normal maintenance.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2014
    The fuel filter caused me the most problems.

    1996 Fleetwood Southwind, Onan 5500 generator.
  • zb39's avatar
    zb39
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2014
    Most problems with gen sets are they are not used enough. Lack of use is very bad.
  • mci7's avatar
    mci7
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2014
    Old Biscuit said it right, being in the generator business over 40 yrs, it is super clear, 99.9% of issues start withlack of proper care & feeding of the generator, Onan, Kohler the exception would be the Generac, they never live long enough to have maintance issues.
    Dave M
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 10, 2014
    Problem with THAT generator stems for previous owners lack of maintenance.

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