Sporadic Generator Shutdowns

[HamboneTHW]

So we have had our 2005 Limited 40 FDTS since April and used it 5 times. I've never had an issue with the generator until our trip this weekend. I went to pull out of the driveway with the generator running. Everything seemed fine, but 5 minutes down the road the generator shut off. I started it back up, it ran for a few minutes then shut off. This went on about 3 or 4 times. Finally I gave up. It was 68 degrees out and the fans kept me cool. When we arrived about 40 minutes later, I extended the slides and jacks and shut the main engine down. I restarted the generator and it ran flawless the rest of the weekend. I went to drive off and the generator started shutting down again. I was unable to stop and open the generator bay to look at the code to determine the reason for shutdown.

This trip I also noticed my fuel gauge would go from E to F (tank is full) at random times.

1. Has anyone had this problem with their fuel gauge?
2. If so, what is the fix?
3. Does the gauge issue affect the generator shutting down (i.e. does the electronic signal from the fuel gauge transmit to the generator?)?
4. Any further ideas for troubleshooting?

As always, thank you in advance for your help and insight.

[no3putt]

Did you try to get codes from the generator? We recently had a problem with our Oman generator and the tech for the codes and solved the issue. Skip

[Wil Rathke]

Search the Alpine website. There are known issues with the generator shutting down when the engine is running.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Wil Rathke

Search the Alpine website. There are known issues with the generator shutting down when the engine is running.

Which website? ACA?

I just find it interesting that it just started this trip. I didn't have any issues in the dead heat of summer for three trips, one of which being overnight (drove 6 hours, stopped and slept in a Wal-Mart parking lot, finished 3 hours up the next morning). Now an hour trip down the road and it won't stay running...

[twinboat]

Have you checked the oil. They shut down for low oil and the driving may be causing it.

The generators don't get a signal when low on fuel. The pickup tube is set higher in the tank then for the main engine. They run out of fuel.

[c_oneil]

I have issues with my fuel gauge but not a random malfunction like yours. In my opinion I don't think the fuel gauge reading has anything to do with stopping your generator but is a different issue.
For the fuel gauge I would look into the sending unit in the tank and the connecting wires. Does the fuel gauge wag like on start up or does it very slowly go to empty and back up to full? The sending unit in the tank is a wire wound resistor and float assy on a lever arm. When the float is at the top it is at 240 ohms. When the float is at the bottom in is at 30 ohms. If you had a chaffed wire causing a random short to ground from vibration that would make your gauge go to empty. You can visually inspect the wires in the driver side front wheel well. If you can catch it while the fault is active you can check the resistance across the two connectors on the sending unit to see if it is working or if it is a problem in the wiring.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Search the IRV2 site.

[RVPioneer]

A couple of know issues that may be causing your problems are the wiring behing the pull out in the center console where the HWH controls and generator start/stop switch are located. The other is the wiring behind the dash, speedometer cluster. Misaligned pins or loose wires could explain the conditions you've described.

[DrDaveMA]

I would first check the ground lead on the fuel sender.

[JLMunsil]

Try starting the generator first, be sure the a/c is running, then start the engine.

[Old Scout]

….as Jim and Wil pointed out, there is a known conflict between the Onan and the Xantrex inverter. Seems Onan doesn't like the multiple 12v outputs from both the Cummins alternator and the inverter. Need to shut down the charge function on the Xantrex inverter just after the Onan comes on line with power. Think Cummins can be running or not. If you shut off the Onan for any reason, you have to repeat the process and turn off the Xantrex charge function....

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by c_oneil

I have issues with my fuel gauge but not a random malfunction like yours. In my opinion I don't think the fuel gauge reading has anything to do with stopping your generator but is a different issue.
For the fuel gauge I would look into the sending unit in the tank and the connecting wires. Does the fuel gauge wag like on start up or does it very slowly go to empty and back up to full? The sending unit in the tank is a wire wound resistor and float assy on a lever arm. When the float is at the top it is at 240 ohms. When the float is at the bottom in is at 30 ohms. If you had a chaffed wire causing a random short to ground from vibration that would make your gauge go to empty. You can visually inspect the wires in the driver side front wheel well. If you can catch it while the fault is active you can check the resistance across the two connectors on the sending unit to see if it is working or if it is a problem in the wiring.

Carter,

Where exactly do I find the sender?

It quickly goes back and forth from E to F, then at some point during the drive it will slowly climb back to F and stay there.

I'll certainly check for chafed wires.

Thanks!

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by Jeff and Cheryl

Search the IRV2 site.

Jeff,

I have under the Alpine Coach section and haven't found anything similar to what I'm experiencing.

What should I search exactly?

Thanks in advance.

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

A couple of know issues that may be causing your problems are the wiring behing the pull out in the center console where the HWH controls and generator start/stop switch are located. The other is the wiring behind the dash, speedometer cluster. Misaligned pins or loose wires could explain the conditions you've described.

Thanks! I'll check those connections. Is there a trick to getting behind that pull-out?