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Old 04-19-2018, 01:58 PM   #1
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4000 watts generator start from inside

Ok now this question must be kinda stupid but since i have my MH i never knew how long do i have to hold the prime button ?
First i thought that the light should turn off or flash but nothing happen so i hold it a couple of second hoping it will start. In fact she always start but often not the first try. Just asking, thanks
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Old 04-19-2018, 02:46 PM   #2
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Ok now this question must be kinda stupid but since i have my MH i never knew how long do i have to hold the prime button ?
First i thought that the light should turn off or flash but nothing happen so i hold it a couple of second hoping it will start. In fact she always start but often not the first try. Just asking, thanks
Well now I feel stupid...there's a prime button in the inside? Of course my rig is 21 years old as well as the generator, but all I've ever done is just hold down the switch until it starts. The times when it doesn't I go out and use the prime button on the generator itself.

My button on the inside has the light broken/missing???...so not sure if there was another portion on that button or it just isn't on this rig.

Thanks.
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Old 04-19-2018, 03:09 PM   #3
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I have read a couple of times on different forums that many use what they called the "pulse start" method (IIRC). So I tried it and it works well for me. You crank for about 4 seconds then "get off it" for 30 seconds then repeat. If mine has been run in the past week, it usually starts first try......if it has not been run for several weeks, it may take as many as 4 tries. The procedure applies when starting from inside the coach.........where there is no prime button ........ at least not on mine. YMMV

I measured the steady-state current draw on the starter motor on mine last year and IIRC it was about 57 amps (Lord knows what the inrush current is) ...... so I don't like to "stand on it" until it starts. Would not relish the job of replacing the starter motor.

You might give the so-called pulse procedure a try.

Safe travels................. ed s
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Old 04-19-2018, 03:22 PM   #4
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On my previous RV it said to prime for about 15 seconds. My current RV has 'auto start', so I just push the start button and walk away. It takes care of priming and does various checks before it ever cranks the starter. I've noticed that it primes for about 10 seconds or so.

TriMoot, try pressing and holding the inside Stop switch and see if that primes the generator - that's the way it worked on mine. You may need an extra person to be near the generator to hear it prime, depending upon how far away the switch is from the generator.
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Old 04-19-2018, 04:03 PM   #5
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Awesome Podivin! Will give that a try!!
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Old 04-19-2018, 05:48 PM   #6
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Onan 4000W

On my Onan 4000W generator you prime it by pressing the "Stop" button for 6 to 10 seconds. Then press "Start" and hold it until the generator starts - - but don't let it crank for more than 15 seconds. If it doesn't start in that amount of time, let the generator rest for a few seconds, then press and hold "Start" again. Never had it not start on the 2nd time cranking - - and most usually it starts on the 1st time.
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Old 04-19-2018, 05:50 PM   #7
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Awesome Podivin! Will give that a try!!
Let us know how it works.
Inquiring minds, ya know.
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Old 04-19-2018, 06:03 PM   #8
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Mine has never started on the first try. I pump it for 15-30 seconds, try to start, but doesn't. Then pump it again, and starts on the second try.
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