Onan 4000 circuit breaker bad?

[Jerry J]

I have a 2006 Winnebago Outlook 325F Class C with a Onan 4000 KY gas generator that runs fine but is not putting out electricity. I have found a couple of burnt wire ends (in a junction box that is after the generator and before the 30 amp plug in) where the plastic wire tie (hot wires) has melted against another wire tie which has ground wires. I think the wire tie may have jiggled loose and shorted out. I am also guessing the circuit breaker was lost in the process. The circuit breaker on the generator has very little resistance when moved back and forth like it doesn't work anymore. Is it possible for a circuit breaker to go bad or be destroyed?
Right now I am at a Idaho Good Sam Spring Rally with 5 days of no hookups. Tomorrow I will call around for an Onan Service center near Boise Id. but would appreciate any thoughts about my problem. I wish this would have happened heading to the GNR but not so lucky. Thanks.

[Jerry J]

I have a 2006 Winnebago Outlook 325F Class C with a Onan 4000 KY gas generator that runs fine but is not putting out electricity. I have found a couple of burnt wire ends (in a junction box that is after the generator and before the 30 amp plug in) where the plastic wire tie (hot wires) has melted against another wire tie which has ground wires. I think the wire tie may have jiggled loose and shorted out. I am also guessing the circuit breaker was lost in the process. The circuit breaker on the generator has very little resistance when moved back and forth like it doesn't work anymore. Is it possible for a circuit breaker to go bad or be destroyed?
Right now I am at a Idaho Good Sam Spring Rally with 5 days of no hookups. Tomorrow I will call around for an Onan Service center near Boise Id. but would appreciate any thoughts about my problem. I wish this would have happened heading to the GNR but not so lucky. Thanks.

[speed racer]

The answer is yes.

[Duner]

Jerry, if your 4000 is anything like my 7000 Onan, there are two 30 amp breakers. Swap the wires on each of these and see if that doesn't get some of the needed circuits running while you're at the rally. If that works for you, then you'll have a good idea what needs to be replaced.

Good luck,

[RV Wizard]

The 4000 watt unit only has one circuit breaker and it definetly can be damaged. I would suspect loose connections rather than a dead short. Loose connections will cause arching and het, this is what has damaged the insulation and probably the breaker. You could remove the breaker and ohm it out to see if it passes; the real test will be however if it can allow 30 amps of current before tripping. It may not be covered by warranty if the installation was sloppy and loose connections were left at the junction box.

[Jerry J]

I shortened the burnt wires in the junction box after the generator and put the wire nuts on tight and taped with cold shrink tape.
This morning I took the motorhome to Cummins Rocky Mountain on the edge of Boise to have it checked and the circuit breaker was indeed bad. They replaced it and the connecting terminals. The breaker was $29.95 and the total cost was $216. Great to have the generator back and after leaving Cummins Rocky Mountain I left it run while going down the road to charge the batteries. I hope the heavy discharge did not shorten their life too much.
Cummins Rocky Mountain is a CoachCare facility with Professional friendly employees and great service.