We have a gas powered Onan 7000 (I think) generator. We started it up and without thinking I immediately turned on the frig. It hadn't run long enough to be generating power yet, so the frig started flashing "lo dc". I immediately turned frig off and generator quit running at same time. Tried to restart the generator, and all it did was keep turning over and flooded, didn't catch and restart. Did I mess something up. We haven't tried to start it again as we have been in a park where generators are prohibited. Should it start again the next time we try without us having to do anything?

I don't think you "messed up" anything. The fridge displayed LO DC voltage, not LO AC voltage.When your out of that park stop at a local parkling lot and try it again. What "should" happen..Start the generatorLet it run for a godd 5 minutes THEN check to see if you have 120volts. If not check the breakers on the generator and any other breakers on the panel.If still a no-go it could also be the Xfer (transfer) switch.My generator has to run about a minute or so before the Xfer switch kicks in. It lets the generator get up to voltage before the Xfer switch kicks in.Keep us posted.

I agree. A 400-500 watt load on a 7000 watt just started is not a concern that I have read about. So a 5% load should do no harm. I would like it to run for a couple minutes before hitting it with a 7000 watt load however.A gas generator should warm up about for the same time you let your car warm up before you pop the clutch. If it is going to be turning at 5000 RPM when you do you may want it to warm a bit. :B

Sounds like you tripped a breaker somewhere.

What is missing in my book is a clue to how the generator has been treated and maintained over the course of a period of time. Engines do not quit and carburetors flood in the normal lifetime of a genset.

the bear II wrote:Sounds like you tripped a breaker somewhere.X2

Generator - did I mess it up? | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
What is missing in my book is a clue to how the generator has been treated and maintained over the course of a period of time. Engines do not quit and carburetors flood in the normal lifetime of a genset.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
Sounds like you tripped a breaker somewhere.
Gale_Hawkins
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
I agree.

A 400-500 watt load on a 7000 watt just started is not a concern that I have read about. So a 5% load should do no harm. I would like it to run for a couple minutes before hitting it with a 7000 watt load however.

A gas generator should warm up about for the same time you let your car warm up before you pop the clutch. If it is going to be turning at 5000 RPM when you do you may want it to warm a bit. :B
mchero
Explorer
Apr 24, 2013
I don't think you "messed up" anything. The fridge displayed LO DC voltage, not LO AC voltage.

When your out of that park stop at a local parkling lot and try it again. What "should" happen..

Start the generator
Let it run for a godd 5 minutes THEN check to see if you have 120volts. If not check the breakers on the generator and any other breakers on the panel.

If still a no-go it could also be the Xfer (transfer) switch.

My generator has to run about a minute or so before the Xfer switch kicks in. It lets the generator get up to voltage before the Xfer switch kicks in.

Keep us posted.

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Generator - did I mess it up?

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