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Generator Stops (resend)

Yahoo Message Number: 3120
[Resend of an earlier posting that appears to have been lost due to my cockpit error]

Our generator starts, runs for 5-30 seconds, then stops. Our used 2002 Allure came with no manuals so I don't have any generator trouble shooting information. Any suggestions on what I should look for?

The generator is the 8KW Quiet Diesel. It was serviced when we purchased the coach in September and ran okay - a total of about 6 hours - until this week.

The are no obvious diagnostic indications - lights flashing, etc. The oil and coolant levels are up where they should be.

Could the problem be due to cooler temps? When the generator last ran, air temps were in the 50-65 degree range. Its now in the low- to mid-40s during the day; below freezing at night. We're still using the diesel fuel purchased during warmer weather.
--

Tom & Maxine Harsch 2002 Allure #30791

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3121
could be several things with the gen. first thing to look for is the red light on the monitor panel that should light if the 110 volts is working from the gen. other thing is not enough warm up time on the glow plugs should be no less then 15 seconds of preheat time longer if in colder weather- another thing is the oil pressure switch if the pressure does not activate the switch in start-up it willl shut down to save the motor
now I had this problem with my 95 Intrigue we shock the exciter winding in the gen. to start the dc brushes to produce 110 volts through the windings not a good thing to do as most people don't understand but I'm an electrician so I do understand

best thing is look for the little red light on the start panel in the coach and it should be on if not the system will shut down after playing with the gen for several months the VRC finally quit this si the voltage regulator of the gen.

when this is not working right it gives the no light on the panel symptom
lots of luck it is a real pain to trouble shut many hours spent with the gen. manufacture to sovle luckily I didn't have to pay someone else to fix

lucky Brian 95 Intrigue 10030

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3123
I don't have a clue on your gen problem but am amazed you got no manuals when you purchased the coach. I would certainly give the dealer what for and insist he get you a set of manuals---ther's too much in those things you need to know.

Walt Rothermel
2003Allure30811

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3126
Walt,

In fact, the dealer requested that CC put together a set of manuals.
After waiting six weeks, what appears to be a somewhat incomplete set arrived. It looks to me like we should have received more - e.g., a generator operations manual.

Anyone happen to have a list of the manuals they received with their '02 Allure?

I plan to get back to the dealer and/or CC.
--

Tom Harsch '02 Allure #30791

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3127
TOM & MAXINE HARSCH

We have a 2000 Allure with a diesel generator which had your problem. The folks at Carrier & Sons in Junction City, Oregon found our problem immediately which was that there was no air intake in the generator compartment and cut a hole into the compartment which allowed air to circulate and we have not had a problem since. These guys at Carrier & Sons all worked at Country Coach originally so know what the problems have been and are great people to work with.

John & Joyce Haughom
CC Allure #30510

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3128
Brian,

The red light on the monitor panel comes on; a few seconds later the amber charge indicator light up; within a couple seconds the generator shuts down.

So I plugged into shore power to charge up the batteries; waited for the Surge Guard to supply power to the coach; on the way out the door I decided to try the generator again and IT WORKS!

Then I disconnected the shore power and the generator kept running; bulk charging and running both heat pumps at the same time with no problem. So it doesn't seem to be a fuel starvation issue.

After repeated trials here are my observations: [1] With NO shore power - generator starts, monitor panel red light comes on followed by the charging light; within seconds the generator stops.

[2] With shore power connected (before Surge Guard completes power analysis) - same as if NO shore power.
[3] With shore power connected (after Surge Guard allows power to the coach) - generator starts and continues to run even after shore power is disconnected.

Seems a bit counterintuitive to require shore power to get the generator to start doesn't it? :)
Are there, by any chance, any monitor panel mode settings that could cause the monitor to decide the generator power isn't needed - therefore, shut it off? It would have to be a check that doesn't occur when shore power is present.
--

Tom Harsch '02 Allure #30791

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3129
Tom, I think you've hit on it.I remember now that I had a similar problem with my 03 Allure and found that the generator was set for quiet time at a wierd time of day. I don't know if you have the same type of panel I have but it can be tricky to get all the settings right. Good luck.

Walt Rothermel
2003Allure30811

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3130
Tom,

Some coaches in 2002 models (maybe earlier ones) have an Invertrix inverter. If you have this unit there is a good chance CC will replace it. One of the problems was the inverter misreading the condition of the batteries. There are earlier posts on the board about the problems with the Invertrix. There is also a program in some inverters to auto start and auto shut off the generator based on battery condition. None of this may apply for you but then again it might.

rob

02 Intrigue 11379

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3132
When I experienced a similar problem with my gen set, it turned out to be the operator (me).

I had the auto start enabled and, since the batteries were fully charged, the inverter told the gen set to shut down after running only a couple of minutes..... might be worth checking that out.
Also, overloading the generator before it has had a chance to warm up properly could cause it to shut down. I let mine run for 5-10 minutes before loading it up.

I can't comment on the shore power/no shore power situation.

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3134
Brian,

i have a similar issue on the '95 Intrigue and have 8-10 hrs of diagnosis into the problem already. I believe I'm not getting 110v.
I haven't tore in and looked at the brushes yet, but I'm afraid I may need to. Why did you shock the exciter winding? is this something I should try?
Bill

'95 Intrigue #10005

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3135
Is this an Onan or Powertech diesel genset? Are you preheating it by pushing down on the stop button for 10 to 30 seconds? If the dealer and/or CC will not provide your manuals contact the gen set manufacturer.

On Fri, 15 Nov 2002 23:37:59 -0000 "Tom & Maxine Harsch" tcharsch@...> writes:

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3140
If you have auto gen set on your coach, I suspect that is your problem.

Good luck

Tom Sims

I2002 Intrigue #11419

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3144
Tom,

You might want to try putting some anti jell additive in your diesel fuel.
Warm weather fuel will jell up in the winter. We are careful where we buy fuel when going into cold climates. Winterized fuel does not give you good mileage but it works better in the cold.

Bill G. 2001 Magna #5998

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3146
Problem solved!

It was the auto gen start settings - in particular, the time of day setting was off by 12 hours causing the system to think it was the middle of the night when I tried to start the generator during the day. This caused the auto gen system to shut the gen set off.

Don't know why it doesn't react the same way when shore power is hooked up, but the auto gen settings don't seem to have the same effect in that case - the generator just keeps running.
Seems me the auto start settings should be ignored whenever the gen set is started manually.

Thanks to everyone who offered sugestions! --

Tom Harsch '02 Allure 30791

Re: Generator Stops (resend)

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 3169
Bill

You have the PTS gen. when talking with people from PTS this what they suggested but I later found out the regulator on top of the gen in the box where the controls are on the gen itself was the problem it is not cheap nor easy to replace but when it finally goes it jumps the vltage up to 144volt this is what mine did while I was dry camping at Talledega got home nad change it out and have had no problems for over a year now

whop know this may help

Brian Intrigue 10030