Onan NHE 6.5 points/condenser

[bingoldsby]

I have an Onan NHE 6.5 in the 1987 Holiday Rambler 30' MH. I need to know how the points and condenser are accessed for change and then adjustment. I have the manual, and see that the points/cond. are located in a box on the top, but I don't see how that access or getting a visual on the whole thing for working on it is accomplished. And the manual is not specific about that operation.

Any suggestions??

This generator runs well most of the time now, but in the last couple of days, has quit abruptly when running it for exercise, which I try to do about every week now... so I know if there is a problem before too long. The other day it stopped after about 15 minutes run with house normal stuff and an AC for loading. The engine felt quite hot (I'm in Oregon and the outside temp was not excessive). The generator would not restart - or even hint at trying. A couple of days later (this morning) I decided to see if there is spark and there was and the unit immediately fired. I put the plug back in and it fired right up. After about 10 minutes of run with a couple of small heaters on, it died again suddenly. I let it sit for about 10 minutes and restarted it, and it has now been running perfectly for about half an hour.

It is said in the manual that if the points are not adjusted properly that the engine can overheat. I don't want to have to drive many miles to a Cummins/Onan service center just to check or change those points/cond. sets.

Thanks for any help on this.

[[ EDIT ]] While I'm here.... I pulled off one of the plug wires where it goes into the coil. The wire was just bare-ended when it came out. Is this how that wire is inserted into the coil receptacle, or should there be some kind of a metal end on the wire that goes into the coil socket?

Brian

[Ozlander]

Does not sound like a point/condenser problem. I think you need to look else where.
Does sound like a coil getting hot.

[jmerritt]

Brian,

Yes that little box on top of the generator is where you will find the points and condenser. I was able to install new points and condenser once I removed the air cleaner assembly and the heat tube that runs across the top. Depending on how close to the top of the compartment your genset is will pretty much dictate if you can get at them. You might check to see if your genset is one that will swing down for maintenance purposes. Look underneath to see if the genset tray is hinged. If it is then you are in luck. If not then you are looking at dropping the genset or fighting through the installation and adjustment.

John

[mci7]

If you have enough room to replace the points & condenser, the adjustment is easy using an allen wrench.
Some builders make it impossible to check the oil or replace the air filter. My thoughts are along the idea of considering all the angles prior to buying such an impossible critter. Another issue and why I passed up many rear diesel pushers was do to it being impossible to do anything on the engine except either down thru the bed frame or up under. I bought the Foretravel, it has great accessibility to engine thru the rear opening and side radiator.
Dave M

[bingoldsby]

Thanks for the info. I do know where the points/cond. are located. There's a metal box that is held in place by a little wire bale across the top of it. It's just that the adjustment of the points must have to be done either by the braille method, or by pulling the generator, as suggested, not an easy task. I thought that with the points needing to be a fairly regular maintenance routine, it would be possible to make the inspection and gapping adjustment without the gen. removal. I'll look a bit further.

Thanks again.

Brian

[Son_of_Norway]

As I recall, the top of the little box cap on the points is held in place by a small hex-head screw on the front, maybe one on the backside too. Use a small inspection mirror and a flashlight to be sure. Also have a magnet on your nut driver when you take it out. When I replaced the points on mine, my local John Deere dealer had them in stock. The part number is on the points. I think that you can upgrade to an electronic ignition but I haven't gotten around to it. The plug wire should go on a clip inside a rubber cap. Maybe you just pulled the wire end away from the clip. Good luck with your repairs.

Miles

[10forty2]

Not sure on accessing the points/condensor, but if you know WHERE they are on the genset, it should be a matter of figuring out what to remove to get to them to replace them. You may actually have to remove the genset from the coach storage bin.

As far as the plug wire, it sounds like you pulled the wire out of the metal connecting plug that it was crimped into. I don't know your unit specifically, but most of them have a rubber boot that covers the connection. Inside the boot, there is usually a copper connector that is crimped onto the plug wire. That connector is what plugs into the coil or connects onto the sparkplug.

The wire may actually be your problem too. Once it heats up, it may be loosing connection to the ignition coil....especially of it pulled loose that easily.