Generator won't crank

[vinbiz]

We have a 2002 National RV Tradewinds. The generator would not start yesterday. It acts like a blown fuse, no power indicated on generator panel light in coach when either the start button or preheat switch is activated. The fuse on the generator is good. Cannot find other fuse or reset switch. Looked on the fuse panel in compartment on the driver's side and the rear compartment housing main fuse panel (non on these connections indicate the circuit's use just a number) Any suggestions?

[vinbiz]

We have a 2002 National RV Tradewinds. The generator would not start yesterday. It acts like a blown fuse, no power indicated on generator panel light in coach when either the start button or preheat switch is activated. The fuse on the generator is good. Cannot find other fuse or reset switch. Looked on the fuse panel in compartment on the driver's side and the rear compartment housing main fuse panel (non on these connections indicate the circuit's use just a number) Any suggestions?

[gizmo]

If it s an ONAN . right above the start/preheat switch ON the genny is an access panel. attached under that panel is the radiator hose and 1 or 2 fuses you need to check/replace. that usually is the problem.

[M&EM]

vinbiz,

Check main 12 volt cable where it attaches to the gen.
Had same problem at 5000 miles during first summer use of my coach. Turned out to be the battery cable where it attached to the gen. The NRV people apparently did a very poor crimp on the ring lug at the gen solenoid. But this is not what failed!

The ring lug actual fractured just past the ring and near the crimp due to vibration and no slack in the battery cable.

Upon further inspection later on, I found numerous other poorly executed crimp connections.

One of these resulted in a small electrical fire as I poked around looking for loose connections.

[vinbiz]

thanks,

Unfortunately its a Generac. <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> </pre> <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> </pre>

[gizmo]

Sorry,I feel your pain.

[vacation on wheels]

M&EM is right on! The same thing happened to me. NRV cut the red battery cable about 3 inches to short so the lug broke off and I had to make a field repair replacing the lug and then adding 6 more inches of battery cable so it wouldn't happen again. All because NRV tried to scimp on 3 inches of battery cable!

[vinbiz]

Thanks,

I will take a look at it later today. Now my jacks won't deploy. Life on the road without the proper tools.

[Don Bren]

I had exactly the same problem with my 12 volt cable being too short. I don't think the engineers figured on the up and down movement even though it is mounted on springs. It was an easy fix after I located the problem but a shame National could not spend an extra dollar for the extra 3 inches of cable and make the proper installation.

[vinbiz]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the tips. My connections were OK, thought it was fuse related...I was right, there is a circuit breaker on the right rear of the fuse panel in the inverter compartment.

$350 in service fees later I have working Gen and jacks. If National providing a better guide to the fuses, and circuit breakers on their coaches. I would have saved the repair bill!