How perfectly should my Onan run?
Hi all! I've lurked here for AGES to fix all my tech issues; you're all very helpful. I'm looking for some info about my Onan Microlite 4KY Spec H generator. The gist of my question is this: When i...
Forum Discussion
From what I remember from the ONAN Manual, the Voltages and Frequencies you state, are within "normal." How much fluctuation within those ranges is another matter. To a degree, they'll "hunt" for the right throttle position to stay in range when the load changes. Definitely shouldn't "surge" over a wider range, particularly at idle. Remember, "idle" is still 3600 RPM. It's running at that RPM under no load and therefore a different throttle position and different carb passages than at full load.
Ours definitely reacts when A/C kicks on/off, microwave the same, I don't notice it on smaller loads like coffee maker. It probably DOES react, just not noticeable. Is yours disturbing, or something you've gotten interested in, and sit there monitoring?
I mentioned different carb passages. According to an ONAN tech a few years ago, the 4KY carb has a square internal corner in the idle circuit. Very hard to clean. You can try what some of us have done successfully: Make up a tempory "tank" with a gallon or two of gas that's VERY rich with your Berryman. Connect that to the genny and let'er run. Shut off and allow the rich Berryman to soak in. Run again. Do this over a couple days. Just "might" get the last of the goo out.
Many of us put Stabilizer in EVERY DROP of gas that goes into the main RV tank that also feeds the generator. I'm one of those guys, haven't had trouble since I lucked into a clean used carb off a junked 4KY. Stabil is the one everybody thinks of, but Startron works at a fraction of the price. Big bottle from Amazon.
With an old ONAN BFA, I had the carb cleaned and rebuilt by a fuel system shop. Ran FAR better than before but still had a "surge" and a new Governor Spring solved it. A few dollars very well spent.
See what the ONAN guys say when you're there for a new Spring. If Spring doesn't help, try Berryman.
Ours definitely reacts when A/C kicks on/off, microwave the same, I don't notice it on smaller loads like coffee maker. It probably DOES react, just not noticeable. Is yours disturbing, or something you've gotten interested in, and sit there monitoring?
I mentioned different carb passages. According to an ONAN tech a few years ago, the 4KY carb has a square internal corner in the idle circuit. Very hard to clean. You can try what some of us have done successfully: Make up a tempory "tank" with a gallon or two of gas that's VERY rich with your Berryman. Connect that to the genny and let'er run. Shut off and allow the rich Berryman to soak in. Run again. Do this over a couple days. Just "might" get the last of the goo out.
Many of us put Stabilizer in EVERY DROP of gas that goes into the main RV tank that also feeds the generator. I'm one of those guys, haven't had trouble since I lucked into a clean used carb off a junked 4KY. Stabil is the one everybody thinks of, but Startron works at a fraction of the price. Big bottle from Amazon.
With an old ONAN BFA, I had the carb cleaned and rebuilt by a fuel system shop. Ran FAR better than before but still had a "surge" and a new Governor Spring solved it. A few dollars very well spent.
See what the ONAN guys say when you're there for a new Spring. If Spring doesn't help, try Berryman.
