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01-29-2009, 08:19 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 167
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I had my generator shut down on my while driving and I remember reading that it will shut down at 1/4 tank to protect against the generator from running the coach out of fuel.
On my trip to Atlanta I ran the coach to less than 1/4 fuel level and the generator shut down. I like the feature, but I don't like that it starves the generator of fuel. When I went to restart the generator, it was really difficult. Is there a fix or best practices? Thanks!
GT
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01-29-2009, 08:37 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ontario, CA USA
Posts: 1,400
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Hello GT:
If you should starve the Generator again you can prime it by hold down on the STOP side on button for about 30 seconds or more and it will prime the fuel system on the generator.
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01-29-2009, 08:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 167
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Is it bad to starve the generator? Thanks a lot for the tip!
GT
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01-29-2009, 08:49 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 6,393
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I try and fill up when I get to 1/2 tank or so. It also makes me get out of the Coach and walk around which I think is important.
__________________
Wayne & Roberta
08 Winnebago Destination 39W Gas UFO Workhorse Chassis......It's really weird being the same age as old people. I thought getting old would take much longer.
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01-29-2009, 08:57 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Fremont, Ca
Posts: 1,325
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It shouldn't be hard on the generator to run it out of fuel. Diesel engines are shut down by cutting off the fuel supply when you turn them off. As noted above, priming the generator prior to restarting helps get a quicker start.
__________________
Jerry & Judy, Fremont, California
2017 Dutch Star 4018
Freightliner, HWH Active Air
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01-29-2009, 01:11 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Auburn, CA, Havasu, AZ & Mulege, BCS
Posts: 5,385
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The troublesome part of starving a diesel isn't with the engine. The Injection Pump which is a fairly tight tolerance gizmo to produce very high injection pressures, gets its internal lubrication from the diesel it pumps. If you starve for fuel, you get premature wear in the IP cuz there's no lubrication. Won't kill you, but according to the old saying it will make you stronger, when you have to get the IP rebuilt. Better to keep the prime at all times.
The engine shut off is by killing diesel feed, but that keeps fuel in the IP.
__________________
Baja-tested '08 2-slide 36'
Alpine: The Ultimate DIY'er Project
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06-28-2009, 08:46 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 5
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2000- Alpine. Fuel tank gauge just less than 1/2. Generator cuts out multiple times while driving, stays on while parked w/o cummins running. Fill fuel tank, both work while operating at same time.... Is there an adjustment to recalibrate the gen so it does not cut out so early as a safety fuel measure?
Thanks- Stan
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06-28-2009, 08:54 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,100
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Stan,
The 1/4 tank cut off is due to the pickup in the tank, not any setting on the gen. My guess it that your fuel gauge is off and not really at 1/2 tank. Fuel slosh is probably why it cuts off while driving and not while parked.
__________________
Dale Gerstel
AMG GTS
Las Vegas, NV
Had: 2007 Limited SE 40fdts
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06-28-2009, 01:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 227
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The genset shutting off on low fuel in the tank is a design feature to keep you from running out of fuel and being stuck in the middle of nowhere. It is normal and much better than trying to start your engine on an empty tank.
__________________
7 championship show dogs www.bauhauskennels.com
04 Winnie Vectra 40AD / 05 Jeep Rubicon TOAD / 03 BMW R1150RT
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06-28-2009, 01:47 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Traveling in North America
Posts: 2,248
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTHill
Is there a fix or best practices? Thanks!
GT
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Fill up when you get to 1/2 tank! That's both a good fix and a best practices.
Barb
__________________
Barbara & David O'Keeffe
Figment II (Alpine 2002 36 MDDS)
On The Road since 2006
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