Community Forums

KC · 07-02-2018, 09:42 AM

Hello all, during this heat wave I ran my Gen set for a few hours on Sunday as we loading the RV and then drove it 1 hour. During the Hour drive the Generator turned it self off. I had a red flashing light on the control screen in RV. I have a Challenger 2015 37KT. I was able to restart the generator but it would turn off very quickly. After we got into our spot at the park we opened the compartment and pulled the access door off so the unit could cool. Maintenance was done 2 months ago. Any thoughts?

Thanks

KC

Skip426 · 07-02-2018, 10:11 AM

If you didn't get an overheat code from the gen set , I'd suspect fuel level in the tank .
Did you have over 1/3 tank of fuel ?

KC · 07-02-2018, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

If you didn't get an overheat code from the gen set , I'd suspect fuel level in the tank .
Did you have over 1/3 tank of fuel ?

3/4 of a tank
kc

FIRE UP · 07-02-2018, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC

Hello all, during this heat wave I ran my Gen set for a few hours on Sunday as we loading the RV and then drove it 1 hour. During the Hour drive the Generator turned it self off. I had a red flashing light on the control screen in RV. I have a Challenger 2015 37KT. I was able to restart the generator but it would turn off very quickly. After we got into our spot at the park we opened the compartment and pulled the access door off so the unit could cool. Maintenance was done 2 months ago. Any thoughts?

Thanks

KC

KC,
I don't know your model coach. May I ask what type/size/fuel type of gen you you're having issues with?
Scott

KC · 07-02-2018, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

KC,
I don't know your model coach. May I ask what type/size/fuel type of gen you you're having issues with?
Scott

Onan 5.5 gas Gen set, mounted in a 2015 Thor Challenger 37KT.

KC

RVinsurance · 07-02-2018, 03:21 PM

some of the threads/discussions on this subject tend to lean toward a bad 'air flow' to the generator while driving...I'm not sure if it's true, since you would think that the opposite would hold true, but it could be part of the issue.
Side mounted generators might not have the luxury of the air flow we assume they should receive, as front mounted diesel generators do... it could be 'dirty' air!

Winterbagoal · 07-02-2018, 03:31 PM

I believe there's also a thread or two somewhere on one of these forums and the causes of the "in motion" shutdowns was
1) a loose/exposed wire inside the casing that was shorting against the inside of the casing when the vehicle was underway, causing the shutdown.
2) a temperature sensor inside the air intake that was sensing an overheating condition (when the coach was driven in extreme heat) and causing the shutdown on a thermal error.

KC · 07-02-2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterbagoal

I believe there's also a thread or two somewhere on one of these forums and the causes of the "in motion" shutdowns was
1) a loose/exposed wire inside the casing that was shorting against the inside of the casing when the vehicle was underway, causing the shutdown.
2) a temperature sensor inside the air intake that was sensing an overheating condition (when the coach was driven in extreme heat) and causing the shutdown on a thermal error.

I hope so.

kc

tmw188 · 07-02-2018, 07:17 PM

I like post#7 paragraph 2)

RVThere · 07-02-2018, 07:35 PM

I had the same problem last year as described in Post 7, item 2.

My Onan has a temperature sensor in the air filter compartment. (silver 'bullet' at the end of a thicker wire). If it stops again, you can pull that sensor out of the plastic housing and hold the end against a piece of ice for a few minutes. If it starts up and runs, that that is your problem.

When its hot out, I leave the sensor out of the air filter compartment so the ambient air can cool it as we drive.

Good luck!

tmw188 · 07-02-2018, 07:46 PM

That sensor is doing its job. Lots of hot air off the pavement and engine being sucked up in the generator intake.

Corc · 07-02-2018, 07:51 PM

There is not a temperature shut down on the 5.5, not really. There is no temp sensor in the intake, there is one in the muffler, meant to determine misfires NOT heat. It is hot, and heat is very likely your issue, what is called heat or hot air recirculation. This is caused by the heat discharge from the generator and possibly chassis engine being sucked into the generator intake. Yes, it can actually be worse while in motion. The usual shut down mechanism is boiling the gas in carb, FC 36. Stick your hand near where the air intake is underneath, should only feel cool air. It you are feeling hot air, need to duct it away. Experiment with cardboard ducts and deflectors, change to steel or aluminum if you find the right design.

Do not take off the generator door and run it. It is part of the pressurized cooling system. Permanent damage can occur., long term. Okay to open generator compartment to give it air, but leave the generator door and panels shut.

Installation manual gives the recirculation test specifics, but you can feel the hot air with your hand or a simple thermometer.

ThePowells · 07-02-2018, 09:42 PM

Have you retrieved the fault code from the generator?

KC · 07-03-2018, 09:23 AM

Hello all, I did not get the code. I did not think of it but I will if it happens on the drive home.

I only removed the cover once I got to my RV site, No need to run generator as we have 50 amps.

Thanks for all the help!!!

kc

PS. I think its still under warranty, Im taking it in for another issue in two weeks so Ill have the dealer look at it.