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mcewena's avatar
mcewena
Explorer
Sep 03, 2024

Propane generator won’t start in the morning

Onan 3600LP  By 10am or noon it will be fine, but not first thing in the morning.  Winter or summer, muggy or dry.  I can run it the evening before or not for weeks.  The only pattern seems to be the time of day.  I’ve had it serviced by an Onan dealer and it works fine on their fuel supply.   I’ve replaced the regulator.   Can’t think of what else to look at.

  • The only thing I can imagine is that there isn’t enough propane in the lines in the morning. Can’t come up with a reason that would happen.

    Do you have solar? Is it a motorhome? Maybe the battery is low in the morning and the solenoid isn’t open?

    I’d try another tank if possible, using as much of the RV equipment as possible and see what happens.

    • mcewena's avatar
      mcewena
      Explorer

      I should have mentioned I tried with/without engine running and while connecting to shore power and it turns over fine.   I can smell propane out the exhaust so fuel is getting to it.   I also installed a stay/play to hook up a full BBQ into the system.   All no dice.

  • 3rd new plug (Champion rn14yc) and removed the sock from the end of the vent tube (tube clear beforehand) and it’s started 3 mornings a row.   ?!?

    • MNtundraRet's avatar
      MNtundraRet
      Navigator

      mcewena wrote:

      3rd new plug (Champion rn14yc) and removed the sock from the end of the vent tube (tube clear beforehand) and it’s started 3 mornings a row.   ?!?

      Nice to hear it may be working now.

      Was the sock on the end of the vent-tube before?

       


       

      • mcewena's avatar
        mcewena
        Explorer

        Sock (actually just a scrap of cloth) had been there for 10 years without an issue in order to prevent bugs from blocking the tube.   Maybe it deteriorated in a very temperature specific way?

  • Well that makes no sense. But then again the whole failure if fairly puzzling so hopefully that fixed it.

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