I think I can speak for most of the generator techs. That have left this site.People asking for help. But not posting the model and serial number. So we have no way of knowing what to tell you. So instead of guessing we choose not to answer.To many arm chair experts telling us we are wrong. Some of us have been working on generators for over forty years.So we have some idea what we are talking about.I have seen post like this.Generator will not turn over. Answer Change the spark plugs. Well if it won't turn over. New spark plugs are not going to do you any good.Sorry to sound harsh. But if you want help from the ones that know. Post your full model and serial number. If you can't find the model tag or can't read it. We will ask you for more information to help you.

"I have seen post like this.Generator will not turn over. Answer Change the spark plugs. Well if it won't turn over. New spark plugs are not going to do you any good."Everyone knows that if it wont turn over it has to be a Gyroscopes issue.

Totally agree. Some OP's don't even post the *brand* of generator. Some answers here sound totally self-assured, but are so far off-base that it's laughable.Thank you and Generator Jim and all the other Onan techs for your help over the years. I know that y'all's many helpful posts saved me personally probably $1,000 in labor costs, and in some cases have saved others much, much more.Jim, "Virtue is its own punishment."

What does the serial number tell you?

Good question.The serial number can tell me what year it was made in.Plus if the model portion of the tag is unreadable. I can look up the production order. Tell what it is. What options may have been added from standard.Depending on who the OEM is it can tell you many things.

"To many arm chair experts telling us we are wrong. Some of us have been working on generators for over forty years.So we have some idea what we are talking about."This is the same with most professions. I have stopped trying to help with questions in my field of study and work for over 30 years.Got tired of being told I did not know what I was talking about by people that have never worked a minute in the industry. Rather, I read the answers because they are so amusing.

Helping | Good Sam Community

katysdad
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
2oldman wrote:
there may be 15 "answers" cluttering up the works. Sometimes it's a miracle the OP even returns.

With some of the replies given (electrical problems are really scary), you wonder if they survived to respond.

To the OP's who ask for help it would be nice if more of you responded as to the what the problem turned out to be and if you were able to repair it yourself. It may help someone else in a similar situation looking for an answer.
Carb_Cleaner
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
LScamper wrote:
"If you can't fix it with a hammer, it's an electrical problem."

? I always fix old TVs with a hammer. Works most of the time.

That's what I said. The times it didn't work, you had an electrical problem. Or, you didn't use a big enough hammer.
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2014
2112 wrote:
Too many times a newby will come here looking for help or advice and they get 3 pages of insults and irrelevant arguments.
It's near impossible to show any connection between any of that and whether somebody returns, but it does make for a good guilt trip.

It's not as if this board is any better or worse than any other internet board...
TEXAS
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
smkettner wrote:
How about put something like "onan tech 30 years" or "certified RV generator tech" in your signature.
If that is your focus, most will take you more seriously.

As for admin this Tech Issues should be split into sub-categories so that if you specialize in generators you can find the posts easier.

I tried that before. Onan tech since 1980. Still had people tell me I was wrong.
TEXAS
Explorer
Feb 06, 2014
gandude wrote:
I mean no disrespect to the OP or anyone here, but I was told by a professional generator guy that the carb on my Onan could not be rebuilt. ... it is sometimes wise to say "the emperor has no clothes".

On this site a professional welder advised me not to weld potmetal, after a few tries on scrap, I welded it just fine. The proper answer would have been from the pro, 'make sure the wind blows the vapor away from you and try Mig on scrap a few times w/co2, no flux wire. (and any other tips that could help)

IDK, maybe liability issues get in the way?

I digress.

I have also been told that about the carbs. But I haven't found one yet.
2112
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
2oldman wrote:
Between the OP and a query as to make/model, there may be 15 "answers" cluttering up the works. Sometimes it's a miracle the OP even returns.

Most of the time, they don't.
Can you blame them. Too many times a newby will come here looking for help or advice and they get 3 pages of insults and irrelevant arguments.

Case in point: Newby comes here this morning asking if a window unit AC would be more efficient than his two roof mounts. Honest question. My take on it is the guy most likely is scratching from month to month trying to survive and is looking for a way to stretch his green. Three pages of insults followed and only a few offering constructive advice. I wouldn't come back either.

RANT OFF
Carry on
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2014
Sometimes even the obvious ultimate expert is told he's wrong. Today while walking around the park, I met a man that looked familiar. Apparently he thought the same of me, and said, "Hi, I know you...", so I stuck out my hand and told him my name. He replied, "No, that's not right..." :h:B
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 05, 2014
How about put something like "onan tech 30 years" or "certified RV generator tech" in your signature.
If that is your focus, most will take you more seriously.

As for admin this Tech Issues should be split into sub-categories so that if you specialize in generators you can find the posts easier.
gandude
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
I mean no disrespect to the OP or anyone here, but I was told by a professional generator guy that the carb on my Onan could not be rebuilt. ... it is sometimes wise to say "the emperor has no clothes".

On this site a professional welder advised me not to weld potmetal, after a few tries on scrap, I welded it just fine. The proper answer would have been from the pro, 'make sure the wind blows the vapor away from you and try Mig on scrap a few times w/co2, no flux wire. (and any other tips that could help)

IDK, maybe liability issues get in the way?

I digress.
Handbasket
Explorer
Feb 05, 2014
It'd sure be nice if the mods would prepare a short sticky titled something like "If You Need Onan Help," and include the need for all that info.

But it'd be lost & ignored among the too-many 'fire hazard recall' stickies that clutter the opening page here. IMO these very badly need to be consolidated into one sticky, maybe two.

I rarely gripe about any of the mods on this board, but yes, this is one time I think it's deserved. If it'd help us keep the Onan techs around, it needs to be done.

Jim, "A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it."

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