Getting generator to idle high for small appliances.

[Camp__Forrest__]

I have a 1999 Arctic Fox 1150 with a 4500W propane generator. I believe it is an Onan, but don't quote me. It is the brand that has to crank for about 10 seconds before it fires up.

My problem is that it idles down without a load and won't run my coffee pot. I can run my A/C, Microwave, and coffee maker at the same time with no trouble, but in order for the coffee maker to make a pot in under an hour, I need to run something else. If I turn on my microwave, the pot brews in just a few minutes.

It seems like there should be something can do besides add a load to run the coffeemaker. The truth is that it is faster to heat water in the microwave and pour it through the filter. This isn't a major deal, just wonderin'.

[Chris_Bryant]

I don't know of any 4500 watt RV genset which is variable speed- the only small spark ignition unit I can think of is the Generac Impact 36- all of the others are strictly constant speed, typically 1800-3600 rpm.

[KD4UPL]

If it's a '99 Onan then you have a problem with the coffee maker or your generator needs service. If it's working properly it should be putting out the proper voltage and frequency with no load, small load, big load, it won't matter.
Have you had the gen. serviced: air filter, spark plug, oil and filter, etc?
I suspect you may have a governor issue.

[j-d]

That's the biggest generator I've heard of in a truck camper!

Have you tried another small appliance with wattage similar to the coffee pot?

I realize it's inconvenient, but at least it WORKS! Most of us have to SHED load to get things to work...

To stand much of a chance trying to help you anybody with actual generator chops would need Make/Model. Please find that and post it here. Most of our card-carrying generator techs have bailed (check smokstak.com) because we weren't posting things like Make/Model.

The more info you can post, the better help you're likely to get.

[Old-Biscuit]

Electric coffee maker should be 900-1200W (7.5--10A) so generator should pickup when coffee maker comes on.

What is gen voltage at idle?
What is gen rpms at idle?

Sounds like governor needs adjustment

Also should not have to crank for 10 mins to get it started regardless if Onan, Generac or whatever brand.

Find Brand?model and google that specific one for service manual.

[MrWizard]

get a digital meter and check the voltage at no load idle and then again when you turn on the pot, and again with the MW

I think your problem is the coffee maker, not the generator, the voltage test will give us clues, i'm guessing NEWer pot with digital controls, and something in the coffee maker doesn't like the wave form from the generator or the NO load frequency , and when a load is applied the coffee maker controls come on

if voltage is too low or high, idle can be adjusted, or the governor adjusted for the correct RPM