onan Micro Quiet Generator

DiskDoctr wrote:
The guide also mentioned it shutting down if the output or rpms are not correct.

Those should show up in the fault code, so I'm interested to see what it's reporting. Also, turning the breaker on/off shouldn't have any effect, although I've been confused occasionally by making a change and coincidentally, the gen operation also changes at about the same time.

To rule that out I'd wait a while after the gen is running before turning the gen breaker on to make sure that the gen really does run for a while with the breaker off, and that turning on the breaker is really the thing that causes the gen to stop.

ashlatz wrote:
There was a junction box that had wires coming from the Generator that where than tied into the wires running back to the ATS Switch. I disconnected the Black and White wires just like we did at the ATS. Was this the correct way.

It sounds like you did it perfectly. I'm just mystified as to what's going on. It will become clearer if you manage to keep your spirits up and keep testing. Just take it slow and careful. When I'm testing, I like to verify what I think I know. Right now, I think the gen must be putting out AC voltage. If it wasn't, the position of the breaker should have no effect and the gen should shut down as a result of noticing the absence of AC power.

When you check the code, you may also want to verify that the gen is producing AC voltage at the breaker - check the AC voltage level between the lead going into the breaker and the white neutral at the junction box. Also keep looking for some damage to the wires leading out of the gen and into that junction box.

You seem to be getting good help. I would remind you to check your oil level and pay close attention to the troubleshooting guide tests for voltage.

I redesigned a workaround the main board a few years ago as it wouldn't keep the fuel pump running after it started due to a faulty board.

The guide also mentioned it shutting down if the output or rpms are not correct.

Thanks I will check this out when I get home and see what code I come up with.

I am 95% sure that I disconnected it correctly when I isolated the switch. There was a junction box that had wires coming from the Generator that where than tied into the wires running back to the ATS Switch. I disconnected the Black and White wires just like we did at the ATS. Was this the correct way. I than started the Generator and it wouldn't run with the breaker on. Like I said I am pretty sure i did it right what do you think.

BTW, I've looked at the circuit diagram on page A1. It's the same as all other Onans. The breaker CB1 doesn't do anything except send power out - in your case to the ATS. I can't see any way for it to produce your symptoms once the gen is disconnected from the ATS, except if the breaker itself is bad and is shorting out or sending power to a short on the other side of the breaker before the ATS. Your sure you've disconnected the gen from the ATS and it runs OK with CB1 off and it dies when CB1 is turned on????

Does anyone else want to chime in here? What am I missing?

ashlatz wrote:

Model # 4kyfA260100k

That uses the 981-0530 manual. I have a 981-0530C, which is probably the same. Your gen produces fault codes and it's the next step in the troubleshooting guide. What's the fault code?

If there's no fault code, then let me know that. Either way, I can post the relevant part of the troubleshooting guide.

If you post an email, I can send the manual. Usually I can find them on the web, but not this one..... OOOPS! I found it:
www.cumminsonan.com/www/pdf/manuals/981-0530C.pdf

Here's how to read the codes:
FAULT CODES
The genset controller provides extensive diagnostics
by causing the status indicator light on the Control
Switch to blink in a coded fashion. Following a
fault shutdown, the indicator light will repeatedly
blink 3 or 4 blinks at a time.

Three blinks indicates a service fault. Press
Stop once to cause the two-digit, second-level
fault code to blink. (Pressing Stop again will
stop the blinking.)The two-digit code consists
of 1, 2, 3 or 4 blinks, a brief pause, and then
1 to 9 blinks. The first set of blinks represents
the tens digit and the second set of blinks the
units digit of the fault code number. For example,
Fault Code No. 36 appears as:
blink-blink-blink—pause—blink-blink-blink-blink-blink-blink...

Four blinks indicates that cranking exceeded
15 to 20 seconds without the engine starting.

Note: Fault Code Nos. 3 and 4 are first level
faults. Avoid interpreting them as second-level
Fault Code Nos. 33 and 44, which have not been
assigned as fault codes.
Restoring Fault Code Blinking – The fault code
stops blinking after five minutes, or after clearing the
fault by pressing Stop once for a Level 1 fault or
twice for a Level 2 fault. Press Stop three times within
five seconds to restore blinking. Note that the last
fault logged will blink, even after the condition that
caused the shutdown has been corrected.

Here is the info on the generator

Model # 4kyfA260100k

Serial # L050859839

Micro quiet 4000
Let me know what I should try next
Thanks again

I had a generac inverter unit that did the exact same thing. They have a very good trouble shoring document. Turns out it was either the control board or the stator, I swapped the control board with no luck so it must have been the stator but I sold it prior to getting it fixed.

ashlatz wrote:
the issue doesn't appear to be in the wiring as it was disconnected from the generator.

I agree. The problem seems to be in the gen itself. All the gens I've looked at have the breaker as the last thing in the output, and nothing is powered from it, but yours almost has to be different, unless it's a problem in the breaker itself.

What make/model/serial number/spec code is your gen. I'm very familiar with Onans and have all parts/operating/and service manuals for Onans from the late 60's to the middle 2000's. If it's an Onan, the manuals are usually easy to find.

The general troubleshooting guide in that link is pretty good. It would cover most RV Onans for the last 15-20 years. However, if you have an Onan, you might as well use the guide for your exact model. It's in the service manual. I'd check to see if you are getting 120VAC at the breaker. It would verify that the gen is producing power. Almost all Onans will shut down if there is no output. My 6500 will. However, it won't shut down just because the breakers are turned off.

Try this troubleshooting document

http://www.partsfortechs.com/asapcart/pdf/ONAN%20Troubleshooting%20for%20RV%27s.pdf