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New Subject Generator problems

Yahoo Message Number: 18548
Gen started and ran fine for 4 hours on Friday then starting on Saturday it would start and run for about 30 to 45 seconds and then quit.
Anybody out there dealt with this issue before. Tips, suggestions to fix problem. I'm replace the fuel filter tomorrow but don't really think this is the problem. Diagnostic routines? It is a Power Tec 7K with only about 450 hours on it.

Thanks

Ron 98 Allure 30185

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18549
Just a thought: The gen fuel pickup tube is at the 1/4 tank level. By any chance is your fuel tank low?

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18550

Ron,

Your generator probably needs a tune up. you do not run it enough, we have an 05 Mag with 200 hours already on the generator. they work much better when used a lot. Most generators should be run for atleast an hour each under a full load to keep them running and in good shape.

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18553
Hi Ron,

Here are some things for you to consider to try.
Gas filter - good idea to replace.
Overheat - I run with the side compartment door open and the generator compartment cover removed (permanent removal). I have had several overheats which caused a shutdowm. CCI did not provide for circulation.

Rotor electro-magnet sliprings-brushes tarnished. Run generator with both A/Cs' running.

Some folks have had to have the rotor replaced if all else fails - I don't think it has failed.

Reset the circuit breakers at the generator panel at least 20 times.
May have a oxide buildup.

Inspect coolant level in radiator, overflow should be about 40% full when cold. Low level shutdown may have occurred.
At a deeper level - lose terminals become suspect from the output to the circuit breaker panel - many times terminations become loose with age.

Good Luck,
Fred Kovol

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18556
Ron,

I have been having some similar problems with a Power Tech 7kw in my 98 Intrigue. Runs for hours then cuts out. Runs again after re-start but only for 20-40 minutes. I'm still not sure of the exact cause yet but I'm noticing that I'm getting coolant leaking out at the pressure cap when running under a load. Without a load it appears to do OK. I just flushed and changed the coolant. It call for 5 quarts but I couldn't get it to take more than 3.5 qts including the overflow. My gut tells me it's just laboring under a load, causing me to suspect the generator side rather than the engine. I'll be calling Power Tech this week to see what ideas they have.
The one time I called them a few months back, their tech diagnosed a problem over the phone with the oil pressure switch, which I replaced, and it did fix that problem (even when in the off position, the priming function was still engaged. The only was to stop it was to uncouple the blue wires on the front outside of the generator.) If I come up with an answer, I'll let you know. I'll try a few of the things mentioned by Fred Koval. Good Luck.

Kevin Barron

98 Intrigue 40 #10550
Annapolis, MD

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18557
Ron,

Check the settings & clock quiet time, mine did the same thing had to reprogram.

Joe

gablerwh@... wrote:

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18560
Ron,

I had a similar problem last summer. In HOT weather the generator would shut down when we pulled over for a rest stop. After a few minutes of cool down it would restart and continue to run while traveling.
Progressively the generator would run for shorter periods even in cooler weather. Eventually it would run only for a few minutes and only restart after a cool down.

The problem was a bad thermostatic water temperature switch. The switch is designed to open at 235-240 degrees F. When I checked mine it was opening at 180 - 190 degrees F.

I have not had a single shutdown since replacing the switch, even when operating sitting still for hours in 112 degree temperatures.

Good Luck,

Dave Hills

2000 Allure 36'

#30444 Blt. Sept '99

Ron Schonscheck wrote:

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18562
Hi Kevin,

To answer one question - generator coolant quantity is 6 qts, 3 in the radiator and 3 in the engine block. The problem is for side mounted gentechs, the engine block drain valve is inboard and not accessible.
So all you can drain out is 3 qts. About a year ago I posted a procedure to get all the coolant out without using the engine block valve.

The thermostat switch is the prime suspect for the premature shutdowns.
Fred Kovol

Quote from: Kevin Barron
> Ron,
> I have been having some similar problems with a Power Tech 7kw in my

98

Quote
Intrigue. Runs for hours then cuts out. Runs again after re-start

but only

Quote
for 20-40 minutes. I'm still not sure of the exact cause yet but I'm > noticing that I'm getting coolant leaking out at the pressure cap

when

Quote
running under a load. Without a load it appears to do OK. I just

flushed

Quote
and changed the coolant. It call for 5 quarts but I couldn't get it

to take

Quote
more than 3.5 qts including the overflow. My gut tells me it's just

laboring

Quote
under a load, causing me to suspect the generator side rather than

the

Quote
engine. I'll be calling Power Tech this week to see what ideas they

have.

Quote
The one time I called them a few months back, their tech diagnosed a

problem

Quote
over the phone with the oil pressure switch, which I replaced, and

it did

Quote
fix that problem (even when in the off position, the priming

function was

Quote
still engaged. The only was to stop it was to uncouple the blue

wires on

Quote
the front outside of the generator.) If I come up with an answer,

I'll let

Quote
you know. I'll try a few of the things mentioned by Fred Koval.

Good Luck.

Quote
>

Kevin Barron

98 Intrigue 40 #10550
Annapolis, MD

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18563
Thanks Fred. I also talked to Powertech a few minutes ago. Simple as it sounds, the spring on my radiator cap may be weak and allowing pressure to escape. They advise that this (the reduced pressure) will actually lower the boiling point of the coolant and eventually cause a shutdown. I'm off to NAPA to pick up a 13# radiator cap. If that doesn't get it, I try the thermostat switch.

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18567
Quote from: Ron Schonscheck\[br\
] > Just got back from the CC ralley were we had our generator worked on
by both CC and Onan. Two things were our problem. The auto gen start must be off and the auto gen stop must be off. Then after that they determined the cables on the top of our generator going to the battery were loose and they had to take it out to tighten them. Of course doing they the tec pulled on wire and cut another one and didn't notice but we did driving because the drivers air bag wouldn't fill.
Back to the cummings shop where they repaired the damage the onan tec did the prior day in there shop.

Leanne 03 Ovation

Re: New Subject Generator problems

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 18602
Ron, Same problem on my Generac 7K. Replaced fuel pump with a generic 4-11 lb. pressure unit (approx. $40) at Auto-Zone. Problem cured.

--- Ron Schonscheck schonny@...> wrote:

Quote
Gen started and ran fine for 4 hours on Friday then > starting on Saturday

it would start and run for about 30 to 45 seconds > and then quit.

Anybody out there dealt with this issue before.
Tips, suggestions to

fix problem. I'm replace the fuel filter tomorrow > but don't really

think this is the problem. Diagnostic routines? It > is a Power Tec 7K

with only about 450 hours on it.

Thanks

Ron 98 Allure 30185

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