Generator Dies Wont Start Again Until I Remove Spark Plug and Put Back in

Don is a retired engineer and long-time motorhome possessor who enjoys helping readers bargain with the increasingly complex technology of RVs.

How the Generator in Your RV Works

I had a guy ask me one day; "OK, I am not in the to the lowest degree a technical person, then how does a generator work? All I know is if it gets fuel, it runs and I become electricity out of it."

I thought about this poor guys problem and i realized that he had a valid complaint. He doesn't demand to be an engineer, only he does need to empathize the basics on how a basic generator operates. So, I wrote this article hoping that it will give you lot a basic overview of the different designs of RV generators, how they operate, and some bones generator service tips.

Information technology will too draw basic differences in gas-powered generators and diesel fuel-powered generators and how they function.

This noesis may one day help you lot decide the crusade of whatever generator problems you may take.

A History of RV Generators

In the early days of camping in the USA, at that place were "crude campers." For these people, "camping" included a tent, a sleeping pocketbook, a haversack of dried foods, bottled water, a few matches, a snake seize with teeth kit, and not much else.

And y'all know what? I've been there, and I've done that!

It was fun! Peculiarly when I was young, healthy, strong, and had very little money.

And, later in life, when I was starting time married, and nosotros had kids, I "rough camped" for a while. We camped at resorts, at beaches, and in the mountains. We used larger tents, nicer sleeping bags, inflatable mattresses, a pocket-size cooking grill, several coolers for existent food, and a few more accessories. And that was fun as well, again, for a while!

Subsequently a few years, we purchased our showtime Tag-Along camper. It had rudimentary plumbing, electric lights, storage cabinets, a "porta-potty," all more comforts for dealing with the vagaries of the weather, and so, of course, we had fifty-fifty more accessories to make our camping ground more fun.

Those first onetime campers of ours, way dorsum then, had your basic accessories, such every bit electric lights, a water pump, a propane stove, simply not a whole lot else. They did non have such things as boob tube, air conditioning, hot water heaters, microwave ovens, and all of the amenities that y'all will detect as standard equipment on the RVs of today.

RV and Motorhome Batteries

Nosotros owned our couple of travel trailers in the 70's (aye, way back so) . Probably the biggest problem for usa then was that they did not have a generator, just a COACH battery. This battery was normally a deep-discharge 12-volt DC bombardment that was the same pattern as what is used in an automobile.

It was usually tied down onto the front end finish of the travel trailer and was protected from the elements in a plastic case. Typically, y'all charged the battery upwards before you left home.

And, considering it but had to power a few 12-volt interior lights, and perchance a pocket-size water pump to provide water at the miniature sink, it was a more than than acceptable power system for a good week of fun.

Over time, as some campgrounds began to provide 115-volt AC at your site, camper manufacturers added modest, efficient AC-to-DC converters, and then yous could accuse your camper battery at the campsite.

And once you had an RV with Ac likewise as DC power, the camper designs used dual-style light systems (110-VAC and 12-VDC), as well as connections for small-scale appliances.

Curl to Keep

RV Bombardment Box

Appliances for Motorhomes Created a Need for Generators

The nigh important electrical addition manufacturers made to RVs and campers was extra electric receptacles, in the kitchen, bath, bedroom, and so on.

Once the power was attainable throughout an RV, people started bringing their favorite appliances from home, such as coffee makers, hair dryers, toasters, portable Tv's and radios, and on, and on, and on.

RV manufacturers had to react by adding electric breaker panels (versus those old fuses) to handle potential overloads, and heavier wiring for the current all these appliances pulled.

Eventually campers became accustomed to using such appliances everywhere: in state parks, in the woods, aslope streams and lakes, and pretty much wherever they went.

So, the next "necessary detail" for the typical modern camper was—you got it—a good electric generator. We all wanted those conveniences and therefore that power, everywhere, all of the time. At the flick of a switch!

Underside of an RV generator (the red fluff is a shop rag that got sucked into it). — Underside of an RV generator (the reddish fluff is a shop rag that got sucked into it).

H. Michael Miley, via Flickr (CC BY-SA two.0)

Why Have a Congenital-In RV Generator?

Today, the average RV owner travels much further to reach their camping destination than even a decade ago.

On these longer trips, they ofttimes have to stop for the nighttime at an interim campground or 2 along the way, or do the Wally-Earth affair (overnight in their parking lot?), or terminate and slumber at a balance stop or other public parking lot. And the next forenoon they eat, pack upwards, and hit the road for the next part of their trip.

Of course, while on these longer trips they normally accept a fridge that is packed with fresh nutrient and beverages, and so they are able to eat very expert meals and then sleep in that comfortable bed in the camper.

Myself, I have pulled into a rest expanse around half dozen-7 PM, fired up my generator, turned on the Telly for local news and weather, eventually cooked a low-cal dinner, and watched my favorite network Television set shows, all with the AC running, and finally I'd become to sleep in my nice cool camper, on my own bed.

Oft, in a rest area, I will leave the generator running all night, forth with a couple of roof fans, recharging my house batteries and providing just plenty background racket to drown out most of the outside noise from the comings and goings of other vehicles, campers, and truckers in the rest area.

I will go up in the morning, make fresh coffee, toast a muffin, and eddy or fry an egg for a hot breakfast, maybe fifty-fifty take a hot shower, all before I close down my generator and go along my trip.

Now I have a motorhome, with a built-in generator that is designed specially for the appliances in my RV. It is ridiculously easy to operate. And, often, parked right beside me, might exist a Class-C, a 5th-Wheel, or a Tag-Along, all with their own built-in generators, providing those fauna comforts we are all spoiled with. Ain't camping life a rough life?

Portable Generators Came First, Then the Built-In RV Generator

Before camper owners started ownership their RV with a born generator, many of them used portable generators.

They were convenient, and reliable. But they took upwardly a lot of room when it came to storing them.

And not many models were quiet enough for use at night in a campground.

Considering by this time the RV manufacturers knew that they had to practice whatever equally necessary to make their motorhomes more than competitive than the others, they all started installing built-in generators in the larger motorhomes.

So, At present We Tin can Talk About Generators and Motorhomes

Born generators are so pop today that it's actually hard to find a motorhome that doesn't come with a nice generator built into it.

Why merely in motorhomes, you might inquire, and not in towable campers?

Well, a motorhome already has a fuel source for its engine, so the generator can be fueled by the same tank as the engine.

You rarely see a towable camper with a built-in generator, because to install a generator the manufacturers would have to install a fuel tank as well.

Troubleshooting: Reasons Why Your Generator Might Not Start Up

1. Fuel Supply

Every motorhome manufacturer today that includes an electric generator in their design besides includes i little innovation: that is, they no longer attach the fuel line for the generator to the bottom of the RV's main fuel tank.

They attach information technology at present nearly a quarter of the way up from the bottom of the tank, so that it will simply pick up fuel if the main fuel tank is more i/4 full.

This redesign was intended to avoid the situation where a camper out in the middle of nowhere runs the generator until it uses up so much fuel that in that location isn't enough left to drive the vehicle dorsum to a gas station and fill up it upwards again.

And then, if you are out somewhere rough camping and your generator won't fire upwardly when you turn it on, check that your fuel tank is more 1/4 full. And if your rig is parked on a slant, the tank may accept to be fifty-fifty more than ane/4 full for the fuel level to reach the line to the generator.

ii. Oil Supply

Many built-in generators won't start if the oil is down to one quart or less. And that'due south one reason why you should check the oil in the generator ofttimes.

3. 12-Volt Ability Switch

To get started, your built-in generator needs power from the 12-volt Coach bombardment system in your RV. If the power switch to the coach's 12-volt accessories has been turned off, for example to prevent power drainage while the vehicle is in storage, the generator can't get power. Many RV owners don't know where this cutting-off switch is. Observe it and bank check it.

4. Fuel Pump or Fuel Filter

If the generator won't run, or runs sluggishly, and at that place are no fuel, oil, or connection problems, the generator itself may be bad.

Only the problem is ordinarily the fuel filter (which can become clogged, peculiarly when using diesel). Fuel filters are common culprits just they are pretty cheap to replace.

Understand How Your Generator Works!

If you lot employ an electrical generator, y'all should have at to the lowest degree a general agreement of how information technology works, then that yous can make sure your generator is at that place for you lot when yous need it.

Starting time of all, it has to start, easily and quickly. Then it has to run, smoothly, automatically, and efficiently.

Here are some basic facts about generators.

There are four basic functional sections of an electric generator. Of grade yous can tear a generator down to smaller and smaller working pieces, simply I am not trying to teach you to be a mechanic, rather I desire you to know how i functions from a high level.

That mode you will understand the importance of those pesky preventive maintenance parts in a generator, and why they need to be monitored and even replaced occasionally.

The 4 functional parts of a generator are:

a fueled mechanical motor
a fuel supply organization
an electric starter motor
an electrical power generator

1. The Fueled Motor

Generators are run by a fueled motor of some kind, usually gasoline or diesel fuel, as I have mentioned.

The motor uses the combustion of the fuel to go on the crankshaft of the motor turning.

Today, at that place are many dissimilar designs of motors, from the simple to the complex. An example I tin can depict hither is a unproblematic, cheap gasoline-powered lawn-mower motor with two cylinders.

Each cylinder contains a piston which is connected to a crankshaft. Each cylinder has a fuel input port and an air input port, also equally an exhaust port. The ii cylinders are designed and then that when one cylinder is firing, the other one is getting fuel and air to fire.

This whole assembly is mechanically designed so that you will get continual firing and frazzle, and the crankshaft volition plough from all of this combustion action in the cylinders.

In a diesel motor, there is no spark plug; the combustion is achieved via loftier pinch of the diesel.

Lubrication

One of the most important things to watch is your generator motor's lubrication. Your generator motor uses oil to keep all of those mechanical parts running smoothly as they rub confronting each other. You should ever make sure yous have enough oil in the motor, and always alter the oil filter on the motor as scheduled past the manufacturer.

Cooling

Some electric generators are air-cooled. But a larger generator will often have a cooling system similar to an automobile engine, using a h2o-and-antifreeze cooling liquid.

If your generator is one of these, you demand to cheque the level of the coolant reservoir regularly, and assure the level is kept within the indicated limits. And, as with an car, yous need to consider the amount and strength of antifreeze advisable for the flavor and region where you are using the generator.

2. The Fuel System

Gasoline Combustion: A Simplistic Explanation

A stand-alone gasoline generator gets its fuel from its ain fuel tank. The gasoline is ordinarily fed via gravity to the carburetor on the motor. In the carburetor, the gasoline is mixed with air (or oxygen) and injected into the motor'south cylinder where a spark is provided via a spark plug.

This spark causes the mixture to explode, and forces the piston in the cylinder to slide open, which moves the crankshaft of the motor. All of this is done via mechanical timing, which keeps the motor turning.

In a coach with a built-in gasoline generator, the functions are the same, but the gasoline comes from the autobus's principal fuel tank.

Diesel Combustion: A Simplistic Explanation

A stand-alone diesel generator also gets its fuel from its own fuel tank. The fuel is fed via a fuel injection arrangement directly into the cylinder of the motor, and mixed with oxygen in that location. And so the piston moves to shrink the diesel fuel to the pressure necessary for it to explode.

No spark is needed, nor is there any carburetor on a diesel fuel motor. When the fuel mixture explodes, it forces the piston to motility to the open position in the cylinder, thus turning the shaft of the motor. This cycle repeats itself via mechanical timing which keeps the motor turning.

Fuel Organisation Service

These parts of a generator's fuel system will need occasional service:

The fuel filter
The carburetor fuel jets (on a gasoline motor) or diesel fuel injector jets (on a diesel fuel motor)
The spark plugs (on a gasoline motor)

If the fuel filter gets dirty or blocked, fifty-fifty partially, and so too little fuel will be provided to your motor, and information technology may not run. If information technology runs, it may miss or plough off sporadically.
In a gasoline generator, the spark plug will, over time, demand replacement. It can become fouled with carbon or dirt, and eventually the contacts will wear out.

If the fuel jets are blocked, then the motor may not run for lack of fuel. If they are worn, the incorrect mixture volition be provided, and the motor will not run properly.

You lot can replace a fuel filter, and maybe fifty-fifty a spark plug if it is placed conveniently for y'all on the engine, simply when information technology comes to replacing the fuel jets you actually want a trained mechanic to deal with that.

3. The Electrical Starter Motor

Your generator has to be started by turning the motor until it goes through several firing cycles of several cylinders. Once the motor gets going, the starter is no longer needed, as the motor will run on its ain.

The starter motor is electric and requires voltage to turn, and in your motorcoach, this voltage comes from your firm batteries. It takes a significant amount of current to plough your generator motor, even more with a larger-sized motor/generator combination.

You should also know that considering a diesel motor uses a higher level of compression to forcefulness combustion, information technology is harder to turn, and thus its starter requires significantly more current than a gasoline motor to go it to turn at a loftier enough speed.

The reason you demand to know this is unproblematic. In that location are some hefty wires coming from your house batteries to the generator of your double-decker. And you should check occasionally to make certain the following things are true:

Your house batteries are in good shape, and hold a strong charge.
Your connections to your batteries, as well as to your generator are clean, without corrosion, and attached tightly at each end.
When your starter turns, it doesn't make weird sounds, and is actually turning the generator motor'due south shaft.

4. The Electric Power Generator

Here'southward a elementary description again, this fourth dimension of the part of your generator that actually generates the electricity.

Picture a coil of wire wrapped effectually a shaft. This curlicue of wire spins inside the opening of a larger outer curlicue of wire. Visualize that the shaft of your generator is attached to the shaft of the fueled motor and turns when the motor turns.

Leaving all of the electro-mechanics out, if yous connect a voltage to the ends of the inner gyre of wire, and spin information technology inside the outer roll of wire, and then attach something like a charger or inverter to the ends of the wires on the fixed outer coil of wire, yous volition get AC voltage from these output wires.

Again, I have left out all of that complex design stuff similar the magnetic metals used, the complex ways that the wires are wound, the contacts used, and on and on. I simply want you to know that there are parts in here that sometimes require maintenance.

Luckily, the generator itself is designed for minimal maintenance, and if there is a trouble with yours, you demand to see a trained generator mechanic.

Useful Reference

Generator Parts That Y'all Can Check and Service

I will now list the things that tin can and should exist serviced periodically. If yous desire your generator to concluding for decades, replace the parts beneath at the intervals suggested past the manufacturer. Running the generator once a month or so is a good idea.

The fuel pump and fuel filter are the parts that nigh commonly give trouble. Here's an article with pictures on how I replaced a fuel pump and fuel filter in my Onan 5500 generator.

If any of the terms or abbreviations in use here are new to you, check out my article on electrical terms. It might assist.

Tips for Generator Maintenance


Part	Notes:
Spark plug	With a gas generator, I propose keeping your old spark plug after you supercede it, in case yous need i in an emergency.
Fuel filter	Keep a spare, just in case, peculiarly if you utilize your generator a lot.
Air filter	If the generator is running crude, sometimes you lot can remove and clean the air filter for better performance, as a temporary solution.
Gas jet	Simply a trained mechanic should service this.
Diesel injector	Only a trained mechanic should service this.
Fuel lines	Check for wear or leaks, particularly if you smell fuel.
DC and Air-conditioning wiring	Inspect wiring periodically for wearable, torn insulation, and loose connections. If necessary, get a trained mechanic to replace wires.
Motor oil	Bank check oil level and change every bit needed, or when suggested by the manufacturer.
Oil filter	These are easy to change. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Coolant	Use the manufacturer'south suggested coolant (anti-freeze) mixture. Monitor the level regularly when using the generator, and proceed the level within the limits marked on the reservoir.

Hopefully, I didn't lose y'all with my attempt at simplifying how an electric generator functions.

If you lot experience a trouble with your generator, cheque the comments below for troubleshooting tips, and feel gratis to mail a annotate most your ain event!

Bones RV Generator Maintenance

RV Generator Troubleshooting

This commodity is authentic and true to the best of the author's cognition. Content is for advisory or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, fiscal, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: How many batteries are in that location in a 1985 Ford Tioga RV?

Respond: I don't have any specs on an RV that quondam (1985) but, typically these older Class-C motorhomes volition have an engine battery and information technology will have another 12-VDC battery for the interior accessories and other equipment that operates on 12-VDC.

Having such a 2d battery takes any load and current draw off of the engine battery, so the Rv is always prepare to start and go.

Question: We tin't figure out why the roof air in our motorhome isn't working with our 5000 onan generator while traveling. Nosotros know at that place is a 20 and a xxx amp switch on the generator, and and so within the RV, there are 2 switches by the door; i switch says main battery, and the other is a diff bombardment. The air works fine while plugged in at camp. Nosotros are new to this RV and camping thing, and cannot effigy this out. Can you help us resolve this?

Reply: The ii switches are called Cut-Off switches and are used to turn OFF your 12-VDC from your Chassis and Autobus batteries, so the batteries do non belch while the RV is in storage.

Your Coach batteries are used to power your power control panel too as your temperature control panel and other equipment.

And then make sure your Coach batteries are fully charged earlier you bank check anything else.

I am pretty confident that your main problem is the charge on the Coach batteries.

Question: why are our RV's TV and fridge non working when we are plugged into the electricity?

Reply: Without knowing what design RV you own, I tin only guess at which systems yours uses.

And so, Your Idiot box's typically apply receptacles that are powered by your INVERTER, so they will operate when you are Boondocking and don't have external electrical power. So cheque that the Inverter is operating.

2- Considering that your Inverter operates on your Coach bombardment, you should cheque that it is operating properly.

3- Your refrigerator should operate on 110-VAC when your RV is plugged into external power, BUT the fridge command circuit board operates on your COACh battery.

I would suggest that you check your Coach battery and that it is being charged properly by the RV Converter.

Question: Our R.V. Generac generator has been working fine, only now information technology will not fifty-fifty turn over; no click, nothing. What can we check to get information technology working?

Answer: Your generator gets its power for starting and for its fuel pump from the Coach 12-VDC batteries. So, of class, check that you have ability from the batteries and that they are being charged by your Converter (which get's its power from the 110-VAC system.

If you lot put a multimeter across your battery terminals, it should read around xiii.5 VDC if charged and around xiv.5 VDC if it is being charged.

I suspect that this is your problem, but if the generator still does not offset, or even "click" yous will need to trace your 12-VDC to make certain it is present on the generator starter terminals themselves, and they are a little hard to get to.

Question: Our onboard generator starts just fine. I let it run for maybe 5-7 minutes before slipping the 30 amp switch to begin sending power to the appliances etc. They (the coffee maker, microwave), show they are getting power, simply then information technology clicks off. After possibly 30 seconds or a minute, information technology will expect like they are on over again, just to click dorsum off again. Exercise you have any thoughts?

Answer: You didn't tell me what kind or model Rv you lot have, but well-nigh that accept a built-in generator has an automatic power sensing system and transfer switch, and so I assume y'all accept your thirty-Amp Chief Breaker turned OFF?

Placing a normal load on your generator should non force it to plow OFF. If your load was also much, so ane of your AC-Voltage breakers should take kicked OFF instead. A good generator should operate normally with a load on it.

And so, I suggest that you check out your generator as follows; 1-change the fuel filter on the fuel input line, 2- check the electrical connections for whatever loose wires, 3-If these things seem OK, you should go an electrician to service the generator for you lot and find the problem.

Question: Can I run the generator on my RV to power an appliance, such equally a toaster oven, while I am driving?

Answer: Yes, of class. Your generator will provide power to ALL of your electrical devices when not plugged into external ability including a toaster and even your roof AC.

Question: What might crusade a new generator in a new camper to turn on, but merely run for a minute or so?

Answer: The top two bug with generators in RV's is the fact that they sit for a long fourth dimension and the fuel filter and the fuel pump both get gummed up.

So, check the filter and fuel pump. They are an assembly mounted under the chassis nether the generator, and they're relatively easy to alter.

There is too a little secret most generators on RV's. Long agone, many people would become out into the Boondocks and run all of their gas from the RV tank and so not be able to get back to civilization. So, Rv manufacturers would but run the fuel line for the generator 3/four of the style down into the RV fuel tank. That mode the RV owner always had enough gas to get out of the Boondocks. Cheque that your RV fuel level is above 1/iv tank.

Question: I have a 36-pes leprechaun class C RV with no generator looking to buy a gas power generator 1500 watts starting 1200 watts running will that work?

Answer: The first thing to do is check if your Leprechaun has a space designed for a generator? With some models the manufacturer will blueprint a specific cavity (storage area) for a generator as an option.

If this is true with yours then yous are lucky in that you will already have the mechanical strength to support a generator, and you may fifty-fifty be able to buy the wiring etcetera that will make installation easier.

On the other paw, you could be an possessor who volition use the generator as their external power source and so you but demand a modified power cord.

Be aware that a permanent installation will require some special wiring that switched your RV automatically from External ability to your generator.

But exist aware that your RV is designed to operate on either a 50-Amp or xxx-Amp 220-VAC service. I am bold that the generator you are looking at using is a 10-Amp 120-VAC capability (10Amps of 120-VAC is all a 1200-Watt generator can provide.-- using the formula Amps-Watts divided by Voltage, or 1200 divided by 120 equals x)

My point is that this will only power one-half of your 120- VAC apparatus and by the way, your Air Conditioner uses 220-VAC, or in other words 2 separate 120-VAC lines.

Question: The power in the campground went out. Do I have to plow the electrical breaker switch off before starting the generator?

Answer: An RV with a congenital-in generator will automatically switch over to the generator when you lot offset it, and back to shore ability when it is turned off. This is a safety feature in motorhomes.

Question: does the generator connect directly to the coach bombardment or to the converter?

Answer: When your generator is turned ON, it replaces your External ability source and then the internal wiring of the RV is no dissimilar.

And, the Coach bombardment is kept charged by your Converter which operates on your RVs 110-VAC electric organization regardless of which system (External or Generator) is your Ac-Power source.

Question: I'm new to RVing, and I accept a brand new motorhome with an onboard gasoline generator. A helpful camper showed me the altitude adjustment when the city ability went out in Albuquerque, and the generator would burn, merely not stay on. When we got but nearly to Oklahoma, the generator turned off on me. I went to adjust the setting and discovered the generator cover was gone (that may explain at to the lowest degree one of the weird noises). Could I run the generator without the cover, or will that really damage it?

Respond: Your generator can operate just fine without the cover. But, yous need to get another one from the manufacturer considering it is part of the noise baffling system and the noise volition not simply irritate yourself only your neighboring campers.

FYI: If your new RV has saturday for a long period of time the fuel filter for the generator may be partially gummed up from sitting with fuel drying upwardly in it.

I would expect nether the chassis where the RV generator is mounted, and you should come across a fuel pump/filter combination there. Get the model number and purchase a new filter to come across if this is why it isn't running properly.

Question: Why does my new generator in my RV not ability annihilation? We accept full ability when plugged into electricity.

Answer: From our symptoms, I have to presume y'all have a motorhome with a born generator?

If this is the instance then I also have to assume that the generator runs but your Rv does not switch over to information technology for 110-VAC power?

With these two conditions existence true, and then y'all should know that your motorhome has a "transfer switch' which is actually a solenoid that your power management console used to select either the external power or the generator for ability. Two Air conditioning power sources cannot exist tied together then this transfer switch doe the task for y'all. When the power command panel senses that the generator is running and generating power, and so it switches over to the generator equally long equally it is running.

So, check two things first;

1- is your Omnibus battery fully charged? If not, your Power Control panel will not operate properly. If the battery is OK, and then you lot may either take a bad "ability generator" portion of your generator, or

ii- yous could have a bad transfer switch. The transfer switch beingness bad is the well-nigh common cause of your problem.

Question: I only bought a trailer and the Air conditioning, microwave, etc. won't turn on when the trailer is on. I am a newbie. Am I missing something?

Respond: If you're plugged into a camp power box, then check the following;

1- Did you turn the power box breakers to ON?

2- Is your ability cord firmly plugged into the power box and your camper?

three- Is your trailer's Main power breaker turned to ON?

These are the 3 essentials a newbie might not bank check.

Question: I have a diesel 8000 Onan pretty new coach 2017. Had problems on my last trip with the transfer switch which I got replaced. Just took a short trip and the generator keeps shutting off when I am driving. I had to plow it on several times, runs for a while then shuts off. What is odd is that when I got dwelling house I had it on for virtually an hour with both A/C'south on with no issues. Took a 15 min trip to sprays and it went off again. Exercise you think it could exist the batteries? Oil level is proficient.

Respond: At that place is a prophylactic characteristic designed into motorhomes that some people don't realize.

The motorhome manufacturers place the fuel line for the generator only downwards to the 1/four tank mark. This restricts the driver from using up all of the engine's fuel while out Boondocking, and and then not be able to get to a place for a refill.

So, commencement, you should check that you have enough fuel in your tank to run your generator and besides drive.

If this is not your problem then you might want to change the fuel filter for your generator.

Question: My Generac seized upwardly, so I'm shopping used Onans. Do you call up I demand to buy the Onan install kit to put information technology in?

Answer: I would recommend that yous go the install kit. Otherwise, if you have problems in the future, you volition probably suspect your custom wiring equally your culprit when things get incorrect.

Question: Can I start my onboard generator without my RV running?

Answer: Yes, The onboard generator starts using your Omnibus bombardment. And, when it is running, the external ability is switched OFF.

And it is common for some motorhome owners to run their roof air conditioners and some other equipment while they are driving on the highway.

Question: If I have no appliance bombardment in the RV simply the ground for the excursion is plugged in; will it kill the vehicle?

Answer: Non a lot of information, simply hither goes;

1- What you lot telephone call the appliance battery is normally referred to every bit the COACH battery. It is used only for the camper trailer or motorhome 12-VDC accessories and appliances.

ii- The Double-decker battery on a motorhome (which I am guessing y'all are talking about) is not a part of the "vehicle" electrical system.

At the same time, if you lot have not been using your Cutting-OFF switch to disconnect the engine battery when the motorhome is not in utilize, the electrical devices that operate on your engine bombardment, even when OFF will drain your engine battery.

Question: Our generator is on simply our microwave is non getting power. How can we connect the microwave to our RV's generator?

Reply: Your microwave, your AC units, your 110-VAC receptacles your Fridge, Water ice-maker all operate on your external campsite external power unremarkably. When you start your generator, your Ability Command panel senses that it is ON and it switches your power over to the generator.

If the generator is running then you should check that your COACH batteries are fully charged and your Cut-OFF switch is ON.

If these weather condition are met, and then your Power Control console should switch over to the generator, IF the battery is dead or has a very low charge and so the Ability Control console will not operate properly.

Question: My motorhome has a diesel generator. Why does the generator operate off of the business firm batteries instead of the chassis batteries? It seems to me that weak house batteries will prevent a generator from starting upwardly in extreme heat, forcing the air conditioners to operate. Is there a fashion to switch the wiring arrangement from house to chassis?

Answer: The philosophy with motorhomes is that you should not take whatsoever superfluous appliances loading down your chassis battery. It is definitely not recommended that you "redesign" your RV wiring away from the standard configuration.

The standard system blueprint you have works well, and the power command panel would not operate correctly if you lot change the loftier-current wiring.

Question: My RV onboard generator sometimes powers upwards the coach (microwaves/outlets) and sometimes information technology doesn't. It starts with no problem and transfer switch is fully functional and new. What could be the problem?

Answer: From what you lot have told me here, your generator is functioning and running properly but you practise not have any Air conditioning power in your RV, at times.

If this is the case then you need to accept a tech bank check out the "power generating" portion of your Generator. It sounds like there might exist a problem there, or you could have a loose wiring from the generator to the RV power system.

Question: I have a 96 class a motorhome. I am new to roving there is black soot on the generator I took it to a nearby shop and had the generator frazzle pipe rehang with a new hanger. Do y'all retrieve the black soot could take come up from exhaust pipe being separated from the generator?

Answer: Dorsum in the mean solar day before automobiles were computerized, it was mutual knowledge that ane- if your gasoline engine smoked and information technology was bluish, so yous were burning oil, and 2- if your engine smoked and it was blackness, information technology was "burning" gas.

Ans, if your generator exhaust was disconnected then, yep, the exhaust could be getting inside the generator housing.

Check the total hours on the generator before you start to get an indication that it may just be worn out or not and need replacement or an overhaul.

If it were me, I would accept the generator 1-steam cleaned properly, 2- install new air filters, 3- change the engine oil, 4-install new fuel pump filter, and so accept it "tuned up" by a generator mechanic.

The mechanic will exist able to tell you if the generator can be stock-still or non.

Question: I have a 2003 Itasca MH other 50 amp service. It has an onboard generator that works fine. Can I wire in a 220-volt outlet from the fuse panel to run a 220-volt clothes dryer?

Answer: Hither are several things to check:

ane. Almost RV's are pre-wired and plumbed for a washer/dryer hookup. Bank check if yours is prewired

ii. Your generator should typically be a 5K generator, and this would be enough ability capacity for your washer/dryer.

3. You would need to add together the appropriate breakers for a washer and a dryer.

4. Most RV's use a combination washer and dryer unit to salvage space, but I have seen some RV's where separate units were added.

five. Remember these appliances are boost and MUST be mounted so they volition not bounciness effectually and harm your RV's interior.

And then, considering the things I accept listed here, yes, you can add a Dryer hookup but make sure to do it safely.

Question: I have a 1997 Allegro Class A. When I plough the ignition switch to off the generator shuts off. What do I do to keep it running without the ignition switch on?

Answer: The generator does not use the engine power, and the ignition switch should not accept any effect on its functioning. So, I would check that the Principal and AUX (12-VDC) switches are turned ON and so that the generator can have 12-VDC to start and run. Otherwise, there is no reason for this to happen.

Question: Does the Onan RV generator make its ain power to run? It'southward in a 1998 Coachmen Catalina Form C Motorhome.

Reply: The Onan generator in whatsoever motorhome uses the Charabanc bombardment to start and then it really operates on the RV's fuel system.

Question: I have a 2006 Conquest SE with an onboard generator. The generator starts and runs, but information technology does non seem to run anything. Is there a switch or something to make the appliances work?

Answer: Your microwave, your AC units, your 110-VAC receptacles, your Fridge, and Water ice-maker all operate on your external campsite external power normally. When yous beginning your generator, your Power Command panel senses that it is ON and it switches your power over to the generator.

If the generator is running, so you should check that your Jitney batteries are fully charged and your CUT-OFF switch is ON.

If these conditions are met, and so your Power Control panel should switch over to the generator, IF the battery is expressionless or has a very low charge, so the Ability Command panel will not operate properly.

Check the battery.

Question: will a three,000-watt generator operate the A/C while parked?

Answer: The built-in generator of motorhomes, if it is a 3K or a 5k, are typically designed to provide adequate ability for all of the internal 110-VAC equipment and accessories. Sometimes, the user can have too many appliances plugged into the RV receptacles and crusade the main or one of the receptacle breakers to boot out.

Question: Our heater just stopped working. We simply got this RV and collection it twice. Information technology says the propane is full. Information technology'southward a 2022 Thor Centrality 24.2. Any advice?

Answer: Kickoff of all, brand sure your valve for the propane line is turned to "ON".

Then, check that your propane is working past turning on 1 of your stove burners.

In one case these checks are run, then check that your Passenger vehicle battery is fully charged because it's 12-VDC powers your temperature control panel.

Check if the temperature panel is operating by turning on your AC.

If everything operates OK, then your furnace itself is the likely culprit and needs to be checked past an RV tech.

Question: We just bought a new, never used Holiday Rambler Diesel fuel Navigator 38F. The generator is a Cummins, and it won't turn on, it just ticks. The batteries are brand new and show that the voltage is proficient, and I have the motorhome plugged into our dwelling house. Can you tell me what is wrong?

Respond: Your generator starter is powered by your omnibus batteries.

Make sure your Cutting-Off switch is in the right position to permit power to the interior equipment, and make certain the batteries are fully charged.

Likewise, make sure the batteries have water in them.

If you only hear a clicking sound and the generator is not turning, then your battery voltage is most likely your problem.

Question: I am new to using my generator to ability my RV. If in that location is no shore power, do I plug the electric cord in the exterior compartment into the receptacle in the same compartment? What is the outside receptacle for?

Respond: You should have an External Power cord that fits into the External Power Socket on the outside left rear of your RV. It is a special waterproof cable that is capable of treatment either 30-Amp or fifty-AMP power which is why it has the "strange-looking" connectors on each terminate.

Question: I have a 1976 Chevy G-thirty 1-ton Marathon motorhome. Where are the generator and the turn-on switch located?

Answer: The simplest way to find your generator is to wait for the 1-inch diameter frazzle pipe and trace back to the generator itself.

At that place volition be an On/Off/Outset switch on the dash of your motorhome and on the generator itself.

Question: I inverse the oil and filter on the generator in my motor autobus and at present the generator won't starting time what could exist the problem? It is a 33 0 diesel.

Reply: Changing the Oil/Filter on an RV'south generator should not have whatever consequence on it operating unless your oil level is depression.

Many generators will take a sensor that detects if the oil level gets depression and stops the generator from running to protect information technology from damage.

Just, if you lot take adequate oil in the generator, this shouldn't be the problem.

And then, cheque your oil level.

Question: What kind of oil do I put in my RV generator?

Reply: Read the generator owner'due south manual and it volition list the acceptable products to use. Typically the recommended oils for most generators are similar to auto engine oils, only I would check what is recommended for my specific brand and model.

Question: My RV generator is running, merely but the microwave is powering up! What practice you think is the problem?

Answer: Showtime of all, is your COACH shut-off switch turned ON? It runs on 110-VAC like the microwave.

Secondly, is your converter (charger) keeping your COACH batteries charged? Cheque the voltage on the terminals of the Coach batteries.

Question: A few minutes after turning on our Onan Generator on our class C rig, it smelled similar it was burning. What practise yous think the problem could exist?

Reply: Pull the covers off of the generator and audit it for route debris. And then, examine the generator exhaust pipage for road debris. If everything is OK, then you demand to go that generator to a service center.

Question: We have a 2022 Thor Chateau 24. On a trip, a pipe hanging underneath the RV that exits near the driver's door dropped down. It elbowed up toward the engine. I removed the hangers and the piping. The engine calorie-free was also on prior to me finding the pipe trouble. Is this a generator frazzle or something else?

Answer: A generator exhaust pipe is typically a ane-inch diameter piping while the engine frazzle would exist much larger, so permit's presume the pipage goes to your generator.

Other than that, your engine light being on tin can be an indicator of something simple well-nigh of the time. Just, you need to get that checked as soon as possible.

Question: Why would a carburetor exist a problem on a brand new Class C RV? The dealer is refusing to gear up it nether extended warranty, and blames us for not using it plenty.

Answer: Beginning of all, a warranty is a warranty and they typically only have an terminate date or mileage limit. And I suspect that if you lot read yours, it volition non say anything about how much you use your RV.

Most newer RV'south will utilize a fuel injection system rather than an quondam-fashioned carburetor, only whichever you have the Rv will have at least ane fuel filter.

These fuel filters are what will "gum-upwards" if they sit and the engine is not run regularly. Most people volition run their Rv engine for twenty minutes or and then every calendar month just to avoid this kind of problem. So I would MAKE the dealer check the fuel filter.

Simply if it is gummed up, that would be an expense of yours. As it is an expendable part.

Question: A red lighting is blinking inside my motorhome generator. What does that mean?

Reply: The ONAN generators utilize this red light and the number of blinks to provide the owner with a few error codes. These error codes should be listed in your generator owner'due south transmission. If not, yous can find digital copies of the manual on the web.

Question: Can y'all run an Onan generator with the engine off?

Answer: Yes, you can run your motorhome's generator when the engine is OFF.

Your Electrical system in your RV is designed for your generator to back up all of your electrical equipment while you are camping at a site where there is no electrical hookup.

Question: I have an RV coach with an onan 7500 gen. The generator starts and runs all of the double-decker except a/c units. When I plow either a/c unit on the front end or back information technology shuts the gen downwards in near 5 min. Gen repair store are telling me my motorcoach batteries are bad. Will that make gen close down when a/c are turned in?

Answer: If your Bus batteries are not belongings a accuse then the temperature control panel will lose its 12-VDC power and close down your Ac units. This would happen when your AC units cycled.

I assume the generator repair shop measured your 12-VDC and noticed a sag in the voltage after a while. Check your batteries; 1- how erstwhile are they? 2-do they have water in them?

Question: I have a 1999 Coachman Grade A with an Onan 7000. My trouble is that the generator will not modify the motorcoach batteries. Whatever thoughts?

Answer: Your motorhome has a Converter that charges your COACH batteries, and it is powered by your 110-VAC regardless of whether you are running on your external power or your generator.

Check that you exercise have power out of the generator to other 110-VAC appliances and that all of your breakers are reset.

Question: My generator won't turn over, I only installed ii new omnibus batteries. The breaker for the inverter/ converter won't reset. I was wondering if this non-resetting breaker could exist a problem when trying to start the generator?

Answer: Some companies practice make a unit that is a combination Inverter and Converter, but this is not common and they are separate units.

Neither the Inverter or Converter are used to start your RVs generator. The Bus batteries are used for starting your generator. So, it sounds similar you have two problems.

I suggest that you go back and recheck the wiring to your COACH batteries and make sure you have everything wired properly. Your Converter is used to proceed your Bus batteries charged and your Inverter will use your 12-VDC from your COACH batteries to ability a few receptacles that you use for your TVs and maybe for a computer while you are traveling.

Considering all of this, your symptoms suggest that you take non rewired the new batteries properly, so over again, make sure that yous accept things hooked up properly.

Question: I take 2004 Fleetwood Discovery with a diesel 7500 generator. While running it shows xiii amps being used simply the only device on is the fridge. Not sure what else is making the amp draw. Tin can you help?

Answer: Your converter would exist running and keeping your 12-VDC COACH batteries charged. So, are these batteries in expert condition and practice they take water in them? Many motorhome owners will forget to maintain their batteries.

This is also a common problem on motorhomes which have batteries that have anile. I recommend that yous check this first.

Question: why exercise the gfci plugs only work when the converter is turned off when using our generator?

Answer: Your GFCI receptacles get their 110-VAC from the MASTER GFCI receptacle. It, in plough, gets its 110-VAC from your AC-Ability breaker panel, just like all of your other 110-VAC receptacles exercise.

Your Converter is simply a charger, plugged into a receptacle, that keeps your COACH battery charged.

Your RV unremarkably gets its power from the external power cord or from the generator and this is sensed and switched using the input Transfer switch.

The Air conditioning Power breaker box does not ability the Converter separately.

But, if your COACH battery is BAD then the bombardment will non be charged, and many of your 12-VDC devices in your RV volition not operate properly, such every bit; interior lights, temperature command console, power management command console, alarms, and more.

Simply, at that place is no connection between the Converter and the GFCI receptacle!

Question: I need to wire up my shore power and generator power for my outlets and air conditioner to work. In the generator outlet box, I take the generator plug wired in and it is receiving 122 volts. There are ii additional sets of wires coming from the top of the mental outlet box (ii orange wires = 6 wires). How do I connect these wires to the generator plug in guild for the omnibus and shore power to go power from the generator?

Answer: First of all, your AC units in your RV operate on 220-VAC. Your external power cablevision uses 4-wires; two are separate 110-VAC sources, ane is your Common wire and one is your GROUND wire.

Without any more than information on your state of affairs, that'southward pretty much all I can tell y'all.

Only ---- Make sure your generator is capable of generating two different 110-VAC outputs, and so make sure that yous wire the Common to Mutual and the Footing to GROUND and you lot don't mix things upwardly.

AND, I 1000 bold yous take an RV that is already wired with a TRANSFER Switch system that will select between the Shore and Gen ability systems? They must be kept isolated from each other with this kind if Power Transfer switch.

Question: I am new to all of this RV stuff. To utilise my generator to power my RV ( if there is no shore ability), do I plug the electric cord in the outside compartment into the receptacle in the same compartment? What is that receptacle for?

Answer: From your symptoms, I presume that you have a travel trailer or a Fiver? and desire to use an external generator for power? Yous would plug your external power cord into your RV's external power receptacle. It will be a 30-Amp or l-Amp power cord, so it will be waterproof and accept a special connector on one end that mates with the external power connector of your RV. The other end of your external power string would connect to your generator, IF the generator does not have the appropriate matching connector, you volition demand for an electrician to wire the appropriate connector on your generator.

Question: I had to pull my Onan generator out of the RV to replace the fuel pump. Can I test run it without putting it back in the camper?

Answer: To Your Question; As long as you have it mounted on something like a tabular array, it should run properly. you did non mention your Rv model, but with most ONAN generators ib RVs, you lot tin change the fuel pump by crawling under the RV at the generator and the fuel pump is mounted directly under the generator. Simply follow the fuel line from the fuel tank.

Anyway, to our question, you should be able to test your generator the mode you asked.

Question: I have a 10kw Onan that has been working corking, information technology's maintenance is upward to date, simply all of a sudden information technology won't run more than 10-15 seconds at a time. I take traced the trouble to a fault code that says it's due to overvoltage. I've tried to do a reset, but have not had whatsoever luck. Is there a role that needs to be changed or does the lawmaking need to be reset by a technician?

Answer: Your problem code is indicating that the generator itself is putting out a voltage that's besides high.

Hopefully, resetting the generators controller will fix your trouble, otherwise, you could accept a regulator trouble in the generator itself.

Question: What'southward your opinion almost propane generators?

Answer: Well, Equally they say; opinions are worth what you pay for them, and mine are free! LOL!

Anyway, the new designs of generators whether they run on gas, diesel or propane work fine. Then, it comes downwards to your personal application and which fuel you want to employ.

For instance, If I had a Gas or Diesel RV so I would use a generator that uses the same fuel; strictly for convenience sake. And honestly, a propane generator should be only as healthy.

Question: If I remove the onboard generator from my RV and install an inverter, tin can I apply the existing wires that ran to the billow box from the generator?

Answer: Well, the short respond is yes, if you have intendance to wire the installation properly (wire size, fusing, etcetera.

But or your Inverter to exist effective, it would exist required to provide at least either thirty-AMPs or 50-AMPs (depending on your RV's overall Ac Service) of Air-conditioning Voltage from your inverter which in turn would require the addition of numerous actress Double-decker batteries and a much larger Converter to keep them all charged.

Honestly, this would be an extremely expensive project with very little payback.

Earlier I would consider such a job, I would wait into installing a good auxiliary SOLAR system, designed for your RV.

A friend of mine had a contractor design and install a fully solar ability system in his motorhome and although the full cost was around $30K, he can become off-grid for weeks at a time using merely his Solar arrangement in his motorhome.

Question: The alert for carbon monoxide beeps its warning a few minutes afterwards I started the generator. Doesn't affair if I have a tabular array fan blowing at the alarm, zero helps but shutting it off and waiting xv-25 minutes for the alarm alarm betoken to stop. I've non driven with the generator running nevertheless, so I don't know if it'll happen in motion besides. Is the exhaust directed abroad or released below my autobus?

Respond: Your RV generator exhausts under the edge of the RV, only you lot should not accept any of this getting into your RV!!!! I would suspect that your problem is something else. For instance, you could maybe have a bad warning, or you could be getting CO from your gas furnace or range or gas oven. In fact, information technology is not uncommon for the propane lines to loosen over time in RVs from the motion when traveling.

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Source: https://axleaddict.com/rvs/Your-RV-and-your-Generator