generator fuel lines question

[2racer]

Does anyone know which line coming from the main diesel fuel tank to the generator is the return line and which is the supply line? Ever since having our 1000 hour service,the generator cuts off before 1/4 tank and will not recrank once it cuts off. Thinking maybe the lines were switched during service. Heath just swapped them and it cranked. Need info so we don't mess up this new generator.

[Old Rv'er]

The owner’s manual says, that if the main fuel tank is down to 1/4 full, the genset is not supposed to operate. This is to ensure you don't run out of fuel for the main engine, because getting the air out of the injectors system in a big diesel is a major piece of work.

It's supposed to operate the way it was, so swap those lines back the way they were, and never let the fuel tank get below half, and you will always have plenty of fuel to run the genset. Read those manuals, they were written for a purpose. Now the above was said assuming, you only had 1/4 tank of fuel remaining, if it quit when the tank was 3/4 remaining, the lines might have been swapped. It's a matter of descriptions, and how it's expressed.

We have the Hydro/Aqua hot system in out coach, and on our first big trip to Montana after purchase we were tired, after a long day of driving, the fuel tank was down to just above 3/8 full, or just above 1/4 left in the tank. We went to where we were staying for a few days, and were enjoying ourselves, when the Hydro hot quit working, we could not understand it. So out comes the manual, and what does it say, the HH is supposed not to work when the main tank is at or below 3/8 left. It did exactly what it was supposed to, and my laziness was what caused us to not have any heat when we really needed it (temps went from the mid 70’s to the mid 40’s). Now, we always fill up when the main tank is at half or at the end of our travel day so we have fuel to leave if we have emergency, want heat and need the genset. It's a good practice to get into.

Also I never leave the tank down at all if the coach is going into storage for any length of time, and even in the summer I put in some fuel conditioner. Maybe I’m wasting my money, but not my piece of mind.

[2racer]

Well aware of the owners manual and have read it, do pull it out when needed. We have owned this coach for 8 years now and have over 200,000 miles on it. This is a new problem since replacing our generator and then having the 1000 hour service done.

It would be worth an Outback Steakouse gift certificate if someone would please send out the generator slide and trace the supply line and the return line on the back of the generator to the tank and tell me which one is the supply line; the highest or lowest? The lines are marked, but the tank is not. I'm trying to find out if they are swapped or not.

I know that on the gen that the one closest to the drivers side is the return line, and the other one is obviously the supply line, but since the tank is not marked, we don't know if they were reinstalled correctly after the generator swap and/or service.

If you think you can help answer this question, Please Call, as we are traveling today and in dire need of an answer. Thank you. (950)723-1089. (and really, we would be glad to send you a gift certificate for your trouble.) Heath Oestricher

[dgerstel]

Heath,

I can't get you with that #. On my coach, the supply is on the top and the return is on the bottom.

[Old Rv'er]

I tried to call him as well, must be a typo on the Phone # or something.

[Old Scout]

WOW--I would have bet just the reverse. Unless the return line on the bottom bends inside an empties near the top of the tank, it doesnt seem to follow that reversing the lines will cause the genset to shutoff earlier than the intended 1/4 tank.

[Flagelpater]

FWIW, On the Monaco tank the genSet fuel pickup is from the top. A tube extends down to the 1/4 point for pickup.

[2racer]

Thanks so much! Sorry about the #, it was (850) not (950). The lines are correct then, so now we will try to figure out why the change since the service. Dale, get me an address and I'll drop you a dinner card. Also, are you back yet and still have those shocks? LMK Heath

Good phone # (850)723-1089