The Onan 30 amp gasoline generator (sorry don't have the model number available) has shut off twice while driving. This is a new motor home and generator. We were running the gen strictly to power the refrigerator. The first time we were traveling at hwy speed and heard a loud "pop". Stopped and checked tires, etc. but never thought to check the gen and didn't notice it was off until we reached our destination. Traffic noise was so loud I didn't notice the gen wan't running. The second time no noise, but it wasn't running when we arrived home. Both times we were able to start the gen once we noticed it had shut off. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to have other items taken care of, and I'll add this to the list.

we have older Generac 6kw that has done this now and then in the past. It's typically the fuel filter needed replaced. Even a new generator can gunk up a fuel filter depending on yhe quality of fuel lines, fuel or just flaky.my bet is its something basic like the fuel filter, oil pressure sensor shut-off, low oil even. hang in there it'll get sorted...i think most everyone has gone through it with their generator at least once. keep notes on what you ot they look at and/or claim to fix.

One of the quirks of ours is that the generator will shut down if the moho's fuel tank gets low. :)Lynn

eubank wrote:One of the quirks of ours is that the generator will shut down if the moho's fuel tank gets low. :)LynnSame with our generator. When the fuel gage shows 1/3 we get gas right away and turn off the generator. It's easy to forget.

eubank wrote:One of the quirks of ours is that the generator will shut down if the moho's fuel tank gets low. :)LynnForgot to mention in original post that it never got below a half tank on the way out of town, and never below 3/4 of a tank on the way home. And the gen restarted and ran without adding any gas to the tank.

eubank wrote:One of the quirks of ours is that the generator will shut down if the moho's fuel tank gets low. :)LynnThat's not really a quirk, but a safety design to make sure that you have enough fuel left to run the main engine rather than the generator. Most of them are designed so that at about a quarter tank left, the level is too low for the generator fuel line to pick up fuel.To the OP, check your oil level too, to make sure it's not low and causing the generator to shut down due to low oil.

Onan generator shuts off | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

tropical36
Explorer
Dec 12, 2018
RRTom wrote:
The Onan 30 amp gasoline generator (sorry don't have the model number available) has shut off twice while driving. This is a new motor home and generator. We were running the gen strictly to power the refrigerator. The first time we were traveling at hwy speed and heard a loud "pop". Stopped and checked tires, etc. but never thought to check the gen and didn't notice it was off until we reached our destination. Traffic noise was so loud I didn't notice the gen wan't running. The second time no noise, but it wasn't running when we arrived home. Both times we were able to start the gen once we noticed it had shut off. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to have other items taken care of, and I'll add this to the list.

Sounds like the problem will be taken care of, with whatever it is.
On another note, I'd see about powering your fridge with an inverter, when going down the road and if you already have one, see about getting an outlet back behind the fridge.
We had a problem with ours staying gas lit, in our old MH, so one afternoon after pulling in to a campsite, I found what I needed on board for running an outlet back there.
Later on, I devise a plug and play auto circuit for automatically switching it between shore power and the inverter.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Dec 12, 2018
Wire Man wrote:

It was brand new and under warranty that is why I took it back to the dealer to try and solve.

A logical thing to do.

I strongly suspect that a Cummins/Onan dealer would honor the warranty too.
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 12, 2018
I think cummins/onan will handle warranty issues with out going thru the dealer

deal with a 'Cumins' factory center, the repair NOT sell
skip the 'authorized' dealers if you can find an actual Cumins shop nearby

they have a pretty extensive network
STBRetired
Explorer
Dec 12, 2018
RRTom, look in your owner's manual for the generator (available online if the dealer did not give you one) and the troubleshooting section will explain how to read the fault codes from the generator and what they mean. That is probably the best way to start to figure out why the generator keeps stopping.
Wire_Man
Explorer
Dec 12, 2018
Sam Spade wrote:
Wire Man wrote:
The dealer of course was no help because every time I took it back if would run fine.

If that was an RV dealer, I suspect that they wouldn't have been much help with the generator under most any circumstances.

A Cummins/Onan shop, however, should actually know what they are doing and their prices are not outrageous......at least in my experience.

It was brand new and under warranty that is why I took it back to the dealer to try and solve.
hohenwald48
Explorer
Dec 12, 2018
RRTom wrote:
hohenwald48 wrote:
Sam Spade wrote:
Do you really have a refrigerator that REQUIRES 115 vac to operate ?

If so, that's not a very good arrangement.

Most all manufacturers have gone to residential refers in at least part of their lineup. Larger and less likely to burst into flames. However, most of them also provide an inverter and enough extra batteries to power the refer. In that configuration there is no need to run the generator to operate the refer. I don't know what kind of set up the OP has.

You would be pretty hard pressed to find a new DP these days with a propane refer and a good many gas motorhomes now come with residential refers.

We could run the refrigerator on propane, but what if we want to run the roof top A/C?

Of course you need to run the generator if you need to operate the A/C. However, you stated in post #1 that you were running the generator only to operate the refer. I assumed you had a refer that would not operate on propane since that would make a lot more sense than running the generator. So, I was just going by what you said.
RRTom
Explorer
Dec 11, 2018
hohenwald48 wrote:
Sam Spade wrote:
Do you really have a refrigerator that REQUIRES 115 vac to operate ?

If so, that's not a very good arrangement.

Most all manufacturers have gone to residential refers in at least part of their lineup. Larger and less likely to burst into flames. However, most of them also provide an inverter and enough extra batteries to power the refer. In that configuration there is no need to run the generator to operate the refer. I don't know what kind of set up the OP has.

You would be pretty hard pressed to find a new DP these days with a propane refer and a good many gas motorhomes now come with residential refers.

We could run the refrigerator on propane, but what if we want to run the roof top A/C?
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Dec 11, 2018
hohenwald48 wrote:

You would be pretty hard pressed to find a new DP these days with a propane refer and a good many gas motorhomes now come with residential refers.

A far cry from "camping".

If I need a LARGE fridge or other creature comforts......we stay in a hotel.

It would take a really LOT of hotel nights to add up to the cost of owning and operating a big RV.

To each his own.
hohenwald48
Explorer
Dec 11, 2018
Sam Spade wrote:
Do you really have a refrigerator that REQUIRES 115 vac to operate ?

If so, that's not a very good arrangement.

Most all manufacturers have gone to residential refers in at least part of their lineup. Larger and less likely to burst into flames. However, most of them also provide an inverter and enough extra batteries to power the refer. In that configuration there is no need to run the generator to operate the refer. I don't know what kind of set up the OP has.

You would be pretty hard pressed to find a new DP these days with a propane refer and a good many gas motorhomes now come with residential refers.
MrWizard
Moderator
Dec 04, 2018
Try replacing the gas cap on your tank
Or just loosen this one while driving