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1996 Eagle · 07-25-2017, 08:28 PM

Noticed it once when going down the road last fall and running the gen set with the overhead air running. Just shut down like the key was shut off. Started it back up when we got home and it ran fine(no ac). Never thought much of it as it was going into winter storage. Been a little late getting it out this year. Checked all the systems(had to replace the dash ac cooling fan). All seemed ok. Gen ran fine(good oil pressure and stable water temp(175). Power went out in the house so we decided to go sit in the motorhome and watch a movie. Started up the gen set and turned on the overhead ac. Ran fine for about 15 min and shut down tripping the reset button under the steps. Know it will trip with low oil pressure or overheating(been there) but never because the ac was running. Any ideas? Ac works good and don't pull the gen set down at all.

silvrhand · 07-25-2017, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1996 Eagle

Noticed it once when going down the road last fall and running the gen set with the overhead air running. Just shut down like the key was shut off. Started it back up when we got home and it ran fine(no ac). Never thought much of it as it was going into winter storage. Been a little late getting it out this year. Checked all the systems(had to replace the dash ac cooling fan). All seemed ok. Gen ran fine(good oil pressure and stable water temp(175). Power went out in the house so we decided to go sit in the motorhome and watch a movie. Started up the gen set and turned on the overhead ac. Ran fine for about 15 min and shut down tripping the reset button under the steps. Know it will trip with low oil pressure or overheating(been there) but never because the ac was running. Any ideas? Ac works good and don't pull the gen set down at all.

Bad breaker?

Al n Cindy · 07-26-2017, 11:40 AM

For those of us with diesel generators, when the sensor sees your fuel is somewhere around 1/3 - 1/4 tank, the generator will shut down (so you don't get stranded in the boondocks).

You don't say which you have, but I know on some older Fleetwood Discoverys the genset ran on propane. If that's what you have, the above wouldn't pertain. (I'm inferring you have a '96 American Eagle--I'd rather not have to look up a profile to know what we're talking about (signatures help a lot!)

All gensets run best under load. If the AC isn't really needed and so not coming on, perhaps some sensor shuts it off. It may be related to some programing you or someone has done on the EC30 or whatever controller your coach came with.

I presume it readily restarts when you tell it to do so? If so, I wouldn't suspect contaminated fuel or fuel filter.

That's all I can come up with. Hope this helps. Let us know any solution you find.

FormerBoater · 07-26-2017, 04:39 PM

If your unit is an Onan QD7500, it may be like mine and is much happier under a constant load vs. a fluctuating load.

I always run both A/C's and keep the thermostats set at their lowest point so there is a constant load on the generator.

If the genny is a QD7500, it will present a code by flashes on the rocker switch that starts the unit that is mounted on the unit. This will also help you troubleshoot, but I would try the full constant load experiment first.

Also, it sounds like you did not run the genny for an extended period of time. That may also contribute to your problem.

Doubt that this is a big deal, likely just needs a nice 2 hour+ run.

1996 Eagle · 07-27-2017, 09:54 AM

Gen set is an 8DKDFJ Onan. Think I found the problem. Couple years ago the cooling fan locked up. Went ahead and pulled the radiator to have it gone thru. Also replaced the water pump and thermostat. Had a bit of a problem purging the air out but but most likely still have some in it somewhere. Will run at 175 degrees all day long but when turning on the ac the temp will rise until it shuts off at around 195. Now back to square one on purging all the air from the system. Rad is side mounted and is higher than the engine. Cap on Rad is a pain to get to. Going to rig up a pump to get water into the system at the rad instead of at the engine(has a cap in one of the hoses) Thanks for the replies.