Onan Propane Genset issue - won't stay running

Sounds like you have a bad circuit board

copeland343 wrote:
Sounds like you have a bad circuit board

That doesn't sound good.
Would that be in the unit itself?

I will look for the owner's manual...

Please tell us the model of the generator.

Liquid or vapor LP?

Some have oil sensors-- incorrect oil level can cause this in some models.

I had the same problem, turned out to be voltage regulator.

Ken

Before you try anything give me the model and serial number and I'll post or email you the service manual. Could be a lot of things maybe something simple just hard to find.

wolfe10 wrote:
Please tell us the model of the generator.

Liquid or vapor LP?

Some have oil sensors-- incorrect oil level can cause this in some models.

I believe it's a "KVD" series (LP model, 2500 watts)

Sounds like your Onan is not self-generating ignition voltage. The little ones like yours and mine (Microlite 2800) get cranking and ignition voltage from the battery as long as the start switch is held down. Once the switch is released, the Onan makes its own. This is the same whether gas or LP; your 2500LP is the 2800 derated for LP. I'm 95% sure you do not have am oil level switch.

If you have a failure of the voltage regulator, brushes, or rotor/stator, you'll have the same symptom... starts, but only runs with the switch held down. The service manual will have a series of steps to determine what it is, but they require a volt-ohm meter (VOM).

Your most likely failure is the voltage regulator, about $225 from Flight Systems (they also have some troubleshooting steps online). On my 2800 and probably your 2500, it's a small cigarette-pack sized box, located just out of sight under the engine's cylinder. It's mounted to the engine's base pan with one Torx screw. It's out of the direct line of sight, but can be replaced without pulling the generator.

Good luck with it.

Jim, "I drink coffee for _your_ protection."

Have seen this.

First: Onan Generators tend to be very chatty if you ask them they tell you, in a cryptic way, what the problem may be.

Story: Years ago I visited Quartzsite and the folks next to me had this very problem.. The code flashed by the generator translated to "Battery low or cranking speed too low" which we knew for a fact was not the problem.

The problem was no 120 volt.. The brushes were bad.. Other things that can cause this are a bad circuit board (Already mentioned) and a loose wire.

Thankfully for them they were parked next to the only live (part time) 30 amp outlet in the area (my RV, it's live when I'm generating) so I was able to feed 'em power but still..

I wish you luck.

I've also seen a broken bolt (Resulting in a loose connection) but that one would not even crank till I fixed the bolt.

Ummm... 2500LP does _not_ have a trouble code system.

Jim, "Mo' coffee!"

I had a similar problem with my 3600LP and it turned out to be the vent hose from the Gen propane regulator was plugged, cleared it out and it ran fine so I put a small engine fuel filter on the end of the hose to keep the bugs out.