Onan 8000 generator giving 30 amps only

[Yogi26]

Hi everyone,

I have an Onan Quiet 8000 generator which starts very well and runs fine but it only gives 30 amps of power instead of the full 50 amps. The smart energy system display panel displays 30 amps and the service type 30 amps indicator is lit. The service type gen/set indicator should be lit instead

The fuel tank is at 3/4 and the motorhome is unplugged.
Any ideas?

Thanks

[Mr_D]

That's all it will ever have. You need a 10.5 or 12.5 KW to give you both legs of a 50 amp service and only the 12.5 gives you a full 50 amps.
8000 watts = 66.6 amps but only on L1.
10,000 watts = 83.3 amps divided between L1 and L2
12,000 watts = 100 amps divided between L1 and L2.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Yogi26

The smart energy system display panel displays 30 amps and the service type 30 amps indicator is lit. The service type gen/set indicator should be lit instead

With all due respect, I think you're worrying too much about an indicator that doesn't actually "control" the power you're getting from the generator. As noted in the previous post, your generator looks like a 30A connection to the control system because it has only one power "leg." The fact the panel lights up as 30A rather than "genset" doesn't mean the generator isn't providing the full 8kW it's capable of producing.

Joel (AKA docj)

[Yogi26]

According to the Operator’s manual and specs on the generator itself, the AC output rating is 66.7 amps for model 8HDKAK 1046K which I have. See attached photo.

[Yogi26]

Thanks,

So I understand what your saying, the generator could be setup using one leg instead of two hence providing 30 amps only?

[docj]

Originally Posted by Yogi26

Thanks,

So I understand what your saying, the generator could be setup using one leg instead of two hence providing 30 amps only?

Your generator (and mine) are 120V devices and, by definition, they only deliver "one leg" at 120V. Some larger MH's have generators that produce >10kW and those usually are setup to produce 240V power with two 120V legs.

[twinboat]

Its delivering 2-120 volt legs, just not at 240 volts so the device thinks its 30 amp service.

Your generator has a double 30 amp breaker. You will have 60 amps avalable, 30 on L1 and 30 on L2.

Turn on 2 air conditioners and the microwave. If they all run, that's the proof.

The signal that the generator is running may be missing from the indicator and that's why its showing 30 amps.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Its delivering 2-120 volt legs, just not at 240 volts so the device thinks its 30 amp service.

Your generator has a double 30 amp breaker. You will have 60 amps avalable, 30 on L1 and 30 on L2.

Turn on 2 air conditioners and the microwave. If they all run, that's the proof.

There ya' go

[Yogi26]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Your generator has a double 30 amp breaker. You will have 60 amps avalable, 30 on L1 and 30 on L2.

Turn on 2 air conditioners and the microwave. If they all run, that's the proof.

The signal that the generator is running may be missing from the indicator and that's why its showing 30 amps.

Thanks for the explanation. I can’t run all three together. I also checked on the generator and it only has one 35 amps breaker. Having a generator which could get to 66 amps, I am wondering why two breakers (35 and 30 amps) were not installed by the manufacturer.

I know now with the reading shows 35 amps. Thanks to you all.

[docj]

Originally Posted by Yogi26

. I can’t run all three together. I also checked on the generator and it only has one 35 amps breaker. Having a generator which could get to 66 amps, I am wondering why two breakers (35 and 30 amps) were not installed by the manufacturer.

FWIW my 7.5kW Onan generator can power both A/C's and the microwave. Something does seem odd with how yours MH was wired.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Yogi26

Thanks for the explanation. I can’t run all three together. I also checked on the generator and it only has one 35 amps breaker. Having a generator which could get to 66 amps, I am wondering why two breakers (35 and 30 amps) were not installed by the manufacturer.

I know now with the reading shows 35 amps. Thanks to you all.

The single breaker handle controls 2 breakers.

If you can power all of the MH, rather then 1/2, of the breakers, all is correct.

If some of the stuff has no power, you have a problem.

What happens when you switch on 2 ACs and the microwave. Why can't you do it ?

[twinboat]

Here is your specs.

[Jmac28610]

The amp rateing is the maximum the generator can supply, the actual delivered amps is based on the load the generator ‘sees’.

[PFGuil86]

Try resetting the 35 amp breaker on the generator. You should feel it click twice, once around the midway point and the 2nd at the fully on position.