So we got our 1986 Fleetwood Bounder parked up on our property in Vermont and FINALLY got to go for the weekend and test out everything. Questions are:1. The generator. Started up just fine but when I went to move the knob from choke to on, it dies. Kept the knob sort of in between choke and on and it stayed running. I know I need to change the spark plug and wire since it's been sitting for a few years but is there a fuel filter I need to change too? Onan generator2. The Refrigerator. Runs great while the generator is on but when I put it on gas, I can't hear any ignition clicking to light it and it doesn't work. It's a Dometic 2852. Is there a way to manually light it or see if the ignition is clogged or something?3. The furnace. How does it come on? I put the dial on the wall on 80 degrees to see if it would come on but nothing happened. Is there some other switch?4. Battery. I know where the engine battery is but where is the deep cycle battery for the RV? It must be deader than a doornail because nothing works on DC no matter how long I ran the generator.Other than that. Everything works great and considering its nearly 30 years old, that's saying something. The roof leaks like a sieve but we tarped it and it's fine now.Any help is appreciated.ThanksPamela

never heard my fridge light, furnace needs 12 volt .find or put a battery in that will solve a lot of problems.as for gen pull rubber hose off at carb and crank it,mine has filter just before carb but my problems have been rubber hoses

Once you find that 12V (or 2 6V in series) you may have solved part of the problem. The furnace, refrig, wsater pump, and possibly water heater all take 12V from the house battery. There is a good chance that old gas has accumulated in the generator. Try some Seafoam to try to clean out the jets. If that fails you could be looking at a new carburetor. Old gas lines also deteriorate to gennys so that could also be your problem. A crack in the line will let it suck air and lean out to where it won't run without the choke.

yes everything you mentioned has to do with 12 volt operation. As "bsinmich" mentioned, if/when you find the coach batteries (check under the entry door step) you just might fix the problem. Also look for a battery disconnect switch. (Look over the entry door inside-over the dash cabinets-or inside every outside storage compartment-or by the entry door near the other light switches). If that disconnect is off, it will act like dead batteries. That could even cause generator problems too.

For the propane look for one of these near the floor and make sure it's on. Flip it to off the on it should chirp for 10 seconds or so then get a green light.

snowyegret52 wrote:So we got our 1986 Fleetwood Bounder parked up on our property in Vermont and FINALLY got to go for the weekend and test out everything. Questions are:1. The generator. Started up just fine but when I went to move the knob from choke to on, it dies. Kept the knob sort of in between choke and on and it stayed running. I know I need to change the spark plug and wire since it's been sitting for a few years but is there a fuel filter I need to change too? Onan generator2. The Refrigerator. Runs great while the generator is on but when I put it on gas, I can't hear any ignition clicking to light it and it doesn't work. It's a Dometic 2852. Is there a way to manually light it or see if the ignition is clogged or something?3. The furnace. How does it come on? I put the dial on the wall on 80 degrees to see if it would come on but nothing happened. Is there some other switch?4. Battery. I know where the engine battery is but where is the deep cycle battery for the RV? It must be deader than a doornail because nothing works on DC no matter how long I ran the generator.Other than that. Everything works great and considering its nearly 30 years old, that's saying something. The roof leaks like a sieve but we tarped it and it's fine now.Any help is appreciated.ThanksPamelaOff subject but I'm kinda jealous! You put your thermostat on 80 to get the furnace to come on! In Orlando we put it on 80 to keep it somewhat cool in the house. Sorry for the change in subject.

Finally got to take her out. Now come the questions.

bigB42
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
never heard my fridge light, furnace needs 12 volt .find or put a battery in that will solve a lot of problems.as for gen pull rubber hose off at carb and crank it,mine has filter just before carb but my problems have been rubber hoses
bsinmich
Explorer
Sep 21, 2014
Once you find that 12V (or 2 6V in series) you may have solved part of the problem. The furnace, refrig, wsater pump, and possibly water heater all take 12V from the house battery. There is a good chance that old gas has accumulated in the generator. Try some Seafoam to try to clean out the jets. If that fails you could be looking at a new carburetor. Old gas lines also deteriorate to gennys so that could also be your problem. A crack in the line will let it suck air and lean out to where it won't run without the choke.
chevyman2
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
yes everything you mentioned has to do with 12 volt operation. As "bsinmich" mentioned, if/when you find the coach batteries (check under the entry door step) you just might fix the problem. Also look for a battery disconnect switch. (Look over the entry door inside-over the dash cabinets-or inside every outside storage compartment-or by the entry door near the other light switches). If that disconnect is off, it will act like dead batteries. That could even cause generator problems too.
mike_brez
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
For the propane look for one of these near the floor and make sure it's on. Flip it to off the on it should chirp for 10 seconds or so then get a green light.
gemert
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
snowyegret52 wrote:
So we got our 1986 Fleetwood Bounder parked up on our property in Vermont and FINALLY got to go for the weekend and test out everything.

Questions are:

1. The generator. Started up just fine but when I went to move the knob from choke to on, it dies. Kept the knob sort of in between choke and on and it stayed running. I know I need to change the spark plug and wire since it's been sitting for a few years but is there a fuel filter I need to change too? Onan generator

2. The Refrigerator. Runs great while the generator is on but when I put it on gas, I can't hear any ignition clicking to light it and it doesn't work. It's a Dometic 2852. Is there a way to manually light it or see if the ignition is clogged or something?

3. The furnace. How does it come on? I put the dial on the wall on 80 degrees to see if it would come on but nothing happened. Is there some other switch?

4. Battery. I know where the engine battery is but where is the deep cycle battery for the RV? It must be deader than a doornail because nothing works on DC no matter how long I ran the generator.

Other than that. Everything works great and considering its nearly 30 years old, that's saying something. The roof leaks like a sieve but we tarped it and it's fine now.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Pamela

Off subject but I'm kinda jealous! You put your thermostat on 80 to get the furnace to come on! In Orlando we put it on 80 to keep it somewhat cool in the house. Sorry for the change in subject.
snowyegret52
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
mike brez wrote:
For the propane look for one of these near the floor and make sure it's on. Flip it to off the on it should chirp for 10 seconds or so then get a green light.

I'm thinking the propane is already on since the stove/oven works fine. I didn't see any panel like the one pictured anywhere. Will take everyone's advice here and try seafoam in the generator, find the house battery and test it/replace it. Hopefully that takes care of the problem. Thanks everyone!
mike_brez
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
snowyegret52 wrote:
mike brez wrote:
For the propane look for one of these near the floor and make sure it's on. Flip it to off the on it should chirp for 10 seconds or so then get a green light.

I'm thinking the propane is already on since the stove/oven works fine. I didn't see any panel like the one pictured anywhere. Will take everyone's advice here and try seafoam in the generator, find the house battery and test it/replace it. Hopefully that takes care of the problem. Thanks everyone!

Sorry didn't see that the stove had propane.
Mike___Fran
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
Take the cover on the outside of fridge off and ck for rust from the vent. Take a fine brush and clean the area. Have had to do to mine, they are bad about getting rust in vent tube. Hope it works!!
garymunson
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
The issue with the generator is a plugged jet in the bottom of the float bowl. A new carb will fix it or if you are handy, you can remove and clean it. Chemicals won't dissolve those deposits. As the fuel evaporates in storage, it leaves deposit that makes the jet 'smaller'. Be careful not to make the brass jet bigger when you clean it. I've always used a tiny drill bit rotating it VERY carefully with my fingers. These deposits are very hard and brittle and with care can be 'chipped' away with the bit. Sam's Club/Costco is the best source for replacement 'house' batteries. Don't cheap out and use 12 volts. The system works best with 2 6-volts in series. Wiring 12 volts in parallel will cause charging problems since any difference in battery charge between the two results in current flow between them. You really can't troubleshoot problems until the batteries are good. Good luck!
bdecker
Explorer
Sep 22, 2014
Batteries are in the nose. Open the hood hatch and look down in front of the radiator.

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