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gitpicker2009's avatar
gitpicker2009
Explorer
Oct 24, 2013

onan generator problem. help!

wouldn't you know it?
I'm supposed to leave tomorrow afternoon for 3 glorious days on my land in Nacogdoches Texas, and have run into generator problems while doing my pre excursion prep.
The generator is the 2.5kw onan in my my 2012 arctic fox 1150.
Standard propane unit, and the the few times I've used it, it's been flawless. I've even made sure to go out and run it for an hour under load every couple of months, just to keep it lubed as instructed. So far it only has about 14 hours on it.
Now, when I tried to start it, it fires right up, runs about 5 seconds, then, just peters out.
I've checked everything I can think of including blockage on the air intake hose, but that's covered with some sort of sock/foam screen already, so I don't think that's the problem. It just sound like it's being starved for fuel. I do have full propane, in fact I checked the stove and it fires right up, and the fridge is running as we speak.

Anybody have any similar experiences and if so, any advice????
thanks

anthony
Truck Campers
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Oct 24, 2013
    Try running it off your other LPG cylinder. If it works, the LPG cylinder or regulator switch over is faulty. You did check oil level?
  • knighteagle's avatar
    knighteagle
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    Ran into a simaler problem. Wouldn't start from inside could get it started out side. strange as it may be all I did was blow out the air filter and all around the generator. Found two things wronge dust everywhere and a birds nest. We also had 14 hrs and the AF-990 is a 2007. Also check the tanks as Bedlam said wont hurt. I checked both tanks and it would run fine once started out side after blowing it out it works perfect now even starts inside. One way is to make sure the stove lights easy and the fridge will fire up at the same time. Not a fool proof way of checking the requlator but if the others work so should the generator.
  • snoboy's avatar
    snoboy
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    Bedlam wrote:
    Try running it off your other LPG cylinder. If it works, the LPG cylinder or regulator switch over is faulty. You did check oil level?


    I agree. Check the oil level. You may have consumed enough oil during break-in to drop below safe operating level.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Oct 24, 2013
    Are you plugged in to shore power?

    Generator needs to sense a load for it to keep running. If not it shuts down.

    If you are connected to shore power then no load is applied to generator circuit
  • gitpicker2009's avatar
    gitpicker2009
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    thanks, I'll try the different bottle, but the stove does work and so does the fridge on propane. I'm not on shore power, and as for the oil, changed it about 4 months ago as specified. I'll check the level, but I don't think it's leaked out or anything.
  • trvsdad1's avatar
    trvsdad1
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    We were at the Grand Canyon last week and had similar issue. Turns out the propane was a little to cold (temp in high twenties) The propane wouldn't gas up to keep pressure in the line. After a little while she fired off. Batteries were way low from heater on all night. We also were at 6800' elevation. I'm not an expert, but I did here that propane generators can be troublesome at elevation and cold conditions. We started the truck to put some juice in batteries, after about five minutes generator fired off and ran/runs fine. I've never heard of the generator not running/won't start without a load on it. Heck its just a lawnmower type engine with generator components attached.
  • gitpicker2009's avatar
    gitpicker2009
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2013
    Success!! Thanks all!

    I switched tanks and it fired right up and runs perfectly. I guess I have a bad regulator that determines which tank is on.
    I'll address that when I get back, but at least I can make it, even if I have to switch the tanks manually.
    Thanks mucho guys.

    anthony
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Oct 25, 2013
    trvsdad1 wrote:
    We were at the Grand Canyon last week and had similar issue. Turns out the propane was a little to cold (temp in high twenties) The propane wouldn't gas up to keep pressure in the line. After a little while she fired off. Batteries were way low from heater on all night. We also were at 6800' elevation. I'm not an expert, but I did here that propane generators can be troublesome at elevation and cold conditions. We started the truck to put some juice in batteries, after about five minutes generator fired off and ran/runs fine. I've never heard of the generator not running/won't start without a load on it. Heck its just a lawnmower type engine with generator components attached.


    Most Onan's built since 1989 will start and then shutdown quickly if no load is sensed. This is accomplished by the automatic transfer switch pulling in (or dropping out) and placing a load on the Jenny.
  • skyhammer's avatar
    skyhammer
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    My 2012 2500 Onan definitely does not shut down if no load is sensed.Mine runs fine whether the camper is plugged into shore power or not.
  • Handbasket's avatar
    Handbasket
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2013
    OP, glad you got it running!

    None of my three gasoline 2800 Microlites ('99 thru '06) have needed a load to keep running. Two have been wired thru transfer switches, one just a simple plug-in. And none have had a low oil sensor.

    Jim, "Just another poo-flingin' day in the jungle."

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