onan genarator

duanejohnson

Seasoned Expediter
i have a onan genarator every time i turn on the carrier roof ac it runs for about
5-10 min then shuts down i can turn on the onan and it will run all day as long as i dont turn on the ac i have tryed everything new air fillter tryed reseting the breaker not sure what to try next. thanks for any advice
 

usafk9

Veteran Expediter
Heavier load, heavier fuel demand. When's the last time you changed the fuel filter, stud boy?
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
STUD BOY ?
tryed that. if i had your money i could take to a shop lol

When the generator shuts down, does it give you any kind of trouble code? You would see it on your control pannel display and/or on the light that blinks on the on/off switch. The blinking light is a code. Example: three blinks, pause, two blinks, pause, repeat. is code 32. You can look that up in your owner's manual if you have one. If you don't, I do. Tell me the code and I can look it up.
 

usafk9

Veteran Expediter
STUD BOY ?
tryed that. if i had your money i could take to a shop lol

Hahaha. Be back in the states tomorrow. I'll give you a call then.....if you haven't called ahead to Customs for me again.

In the meantime, I'd follow Phil's advice.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
In addition to checking codes, try loading up the generator by turning on all devices except the overhead AC: stove burner, microwave, lights, fridge (turn the temp dial to make it run), coffee pot, toilet seat warmer, water pump, water heater, ceiling fan, etc. If the generator continues to run, leave everything on and turn on the AC to see what happens. Also try the overhead heater to see how it behaves under different conditions.

In other words put the generator and devices through their paces to gather info on how they behave.
 
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leezaback

Seasoned Expediter
Owner/Operator
change glow plugs-12v need 3-cost about 47.00 each-element air cleaner, oil change...check the amprage too much ? too little?? my opinion have a good service done, the cost will far out weigh the replacement cost of the unit
 

Slacktide

Seasoned Expediter
change glow plugs-12v need 3-cost about 47.00

Why? Glow plugs only work during the starting sequence. They don't work like a spark plug. Nowhere was it said the unit started hard, just that it wouldn't stay running under heavy load of the AC.

As has been said, check for codes. Under the heavier load of the AC the unit will run warmer. Check coolant level, and that there is nothing restricting air flow to the radiator. Fuel filters are cheap replace that, may have gotten some bad fuel.

Good luck, I have some work to do on mine today.


Sent from my SCH-I500 using EO Forums
 

duanejohnson

Seasoned Expediter
hi Phil
it appears to be a code 33.
thanks for all your help
BY the way Andy i called customs for you they will be waiting for you.
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
I've got an Onan Microlite 2800. I took it in to get cleaned up after it sat for several months. They changed the oil, fuel filter, drained the fuel out of the system etc. and did a very good job. I took it to:

CHANNELVIEW SUPPLY COMPANY
15450 I-10 East
Channelview, TEXAS 77530
Phone: (281) 452-7760

You can find a nearby facility on their website:

Cummins Onan
 

Rocketman

Veteran Expediter
I know nothing about the generator or the codes, but Phil's advice sounds good as far as checking it with everything you have turned on except the a/c. In other words...make sure the a/c isnt acting up causing an overload.

If you do have a code, thats probably where your problem is though. A good service wont hurt it, even if its not the generator.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
hi Phil
it appears to be a code 33.
thanks for all your help
BY the way Andy i called customs for you they will be waiting for you.

From the manual:

Code 33: High Engine Coolant Temperature Fault (Engine coolant temperature exceeded design limit).

Corrective Action:

1. Check the engine coolant level and add coolant and repair leaks as necessary.
2. Check for and remove any objects blocking the air inlet or outlet openings in the bottom of the genset.
3. Reduce the number of appliances connected at the same time. (Note that height altitude and high ambient temperature decreases engine cooling capacity.)
4. Clean and flush the cooling system to remove coolant passage fouling.
5. If the genset overheats only underway, see the coach manufacture regarding air baffles or other means to direct cooling air into the genset.

My approach would be to first top off the coolant. Make sure you are using the right stuff (red stuff or green stuff). Then run the generator under load as described above to see if you can get it to fail without the AC on.

If it does not fail, turn the AC on to see what happens.

There is more but start with that. Note that it may not be the coolant that is overheating but that the generator "thinks" it is because it is getting bad information from a sensor.

Regardless, it would be a good idea to have the cooling system flush and filled if it has not been done in a year or two. It is a job you can do yourself, but depending on the installation, the drain cap may be difficult to get to.

If you wish, send me your phone number by private message and I can share more.
 

duanejohnson

Seasoned Expediter
hey Phil
i took it to a petro and had a flush done it seems to be working fine. I like the onan but boy is it is sensitive. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
 
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