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'.

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

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 adjustmentAlso 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.

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.

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.

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.

Getting generator to idle high for small appliances.

MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 21, 2016
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
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 21, 2016
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.
j-d
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
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.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Oct 21, 2016
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.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
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.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 21, 2016
OK "idles down without a load". Should NOT ever be a concern with any genset. That means, odds are, depending on the brand/model, the IDLE screw is NOT adjusted for correct idle speed. You really need it checked by a professional, to get the system and speed/voltage in the correct range. Thanks for a good chuckle. "I have the brand that takes 10 seconds to start":B THAT really narrows it down:B Doug
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
I have a 2000 Arctic Fox 5er, and if they used the same generator, it is the Generac Impact 36. It is an inverter generator, and will idle down with lighter loads, just like my Hondas do. It should definitely give power to the coffee pot at idle. I took mine out and use my Hondas, they are MUCH quieter and don't eat up my propane. Other than not starting well, I had no problems with that Generac.
It would be cheapest to buy a Killawatt meter and then check it. Those can be a good troubleshooting tool.
2oldman
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
.. 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.
Do you mean you leave the MW on while it's brewing?
j-d
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2016
If it's a Generac Impact 36LP this is the service manual, but this generator is only 3400 Watts (3.4 KW) not the 4400 Watts you noted.

Please check to make sure you meant 4400 and not 3400. Here's a pic of Impact 36LP. Yours look like it?
TEXAS
Explorer
Oct 22, 2016
Prime reason you need model and serial number. 9 guesses and that is all they are. Because no one has any idea what you have.