Community Forums

cptxguys · 07-27-2014, 03:05 PM

Our 30.1 ACE had a code 36 twice during it's first trip from the dealership.

While traveling to the Florida panhandle during the week of July 4th, the generator seemed to run fine going down the highway. Once we pulled into the campground and were registering for our site (with both the engine idling and generator running), the generator quit. I opened the bay door to restart the generator via the outside switch, and the latch handles on the door to the generator were so hot I could barely touch them. I'm guessing (I don't really know) the generator had an overheat condition and shut down.

We set up camp and plugged in, so the generator wasn't needed and I let it cool down.

The next day, I got on the iRV2 forum to diagnose the code (36) and learn from the experience of others. At this point the generator had 19 hours on it, so I performed maintenance (checked air filter, changed oil, cleaned spark arrestor) and ensured the oil pan was completely full.

I disconnected the power from the pole, fired up the generator and I no further trouble after running for about an hour.

On the way home, we did not use the generator while driving. We stopped for lunch at a rest area and started the generator and a/c. We used the microwave to heat up our lunch. While sitting and eating our lunch (about 20 minutes later), the generator quit (again with a code of 36).

At that point, we finished our lunch, and drove the remainder of the day without using the generator. That evening, we stopped at a Wal-mart for the night. I opened the bay door of the generator, started it up, and ran the a/c. It seemed to perform fine. About an hour or so later, I closed the generator bay door for the night and we had no issues.

This leads me to believe (among with other posts) there is a temperature/air/flow issue for sure.

The coach is in for service at the RV dealer and we will see what the resolution will be. I'm hoping it is something more than "no trouble found".

IdahoSRT10 · 07-27-2014, 03:48 PM

The Onan 4000 in our 2014 Fleetwood Storm has the same overheat issues. Fleetwood has a TSB Fix on this, they are sending me a shroud and seal for the back of gen. door to gen air intake. I already made and installed a door vent (Pic). I also cut 36" off the gen. exhaust pipe that ran under the gen. air intake to lessen the heat transmitted up towards the air intake. (easy fix)

Towertime · 07-27-2014, 07:03 PM

Where did you get the frame for the vent? It looks pretty good!

IdahoSRT10 · 07-27-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towertime

Where did you get the frame for the vent?

Home Depot....they stock the 1" x 3/16" x 3' long angle iron, they have the diamond screen also. Fleetwood RV sells a plastic door vent but I already made this one.

cptxguys · 07-28-2014, 10:44 AM

Looks very nice. I'm thinking of doing the same (add an air intake) to mine. Quick question..have you had any issues with road spray getting through the diamond screen and into the air intake?

IdahoSRT10 · 07-28-2014, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cptxguys

Looks very nice. I'm thinking of doing the same (add an air intake) to mine. "Quick question..have you had any issues with road spray getting through the diamond screen and into the air intake?"

I haven't been out in bad weather since the install but I don't see how much road grime can enter through the vent right now. Once I get the connecter shroud (between the vent screen and gen intake) installed I'll be looking at that closer.

Smitty8934 · 07-30-2014, 04:58 AM

I followed this thread quite closely and too wanted to purchase a new Ace Motor Home. I finally came across a used 2013 Tiffin that someone was trading in on a big diesel pusher. It compared in size (32ca) to the Ace's we were thinking about and also in price, maybe a few thousand more and had just turned over to 10,000 miles after it was delivered to the Dealership. I decided after reading all of the disheartening experiences that a used Tiffin may be a better choice for me, not that this unit is perfect as I've found some problems already but nothing major. We are happy with our decision but really liked the Thor layout and the bed upfront that rolls down, (Tiffin does not offer that option.) Hope you all get resolved issues with yours and Thor should be ashamed as to what they have put you through. Their ACE product is popular but they should open their eyes and be aware that the competition is following suit on developing products close to their Ace and customers may run to them first after hearing how they have handled a legitimate complaint such as this one here. Bravo to all of you who pursued this and just didn't lay down and die. Wish you guys the best!

cptxguys · 08-18-2014, 08:18 PM

I got the ACE back from service. The dealer indicated the generator would need to go to Cummins to diagnose. My feeling was that it would just go downhill from there and I didn't feel like having a 'trial and error' resolution as the RV dealer is over an hour from our house.

I decided to order an louver from HVACQuick.com. It's a 1" 45 degree louver so it will help keep rain and roadspray out of the generator compartment. I ordered a 10" high by 12" wide louver. I ordered it with the brown finish.

HVACQuick - Dayus DALTL-45 Thin Line 1 inch Louvers With Horizontal 45 Degree Blades

It was a pretty simple process:
1. I covered the fiberglass with masking tape to minimize chips and scratches from the jigsaw pad.

2. I used a combination square to run along the square sides of the door and mark the opening with a sharpie pen.

3. I drilled a 1/2 hole in each corner to allow easy insertion of the jigsaw blade.
4. I cut out the opening. I propped the door open so the blade could not hit the generator cover and used a blade for cutting laminate (cuts on the downstroke to minimize chips).

You will notice that the air intake for the generator is in alignment with the left side of the louver opening to prevent water splash in.
5. I inserted the louver! (Still needs to be caulked with clear sealant and fastened into place).

Larger photos on my flickr account - https://www.flickr.com/photos/north4...7646557666556/

navychaps · 08-18-2014, 08:26 PM

Now that takes guts to cut into the side of a new 2015 MH!

cptxguys · 08-18-2014, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navychaps

Now that takes guts to cut into the side of a new 2015 MH!

Brave....or stupid!

Yes, it did. But I figured worst case, I'd only have to replace the bay door. I had replaced one before on our 5er by popping the rivets from the hinge. Our ACE has the HD fiberglass, so I wouldn't have to worry about paint. The scariest part was the first hole with the drill....then I was committed!

Arizona Lizards · 08-19-2014, 11:28 AM

Robert/Bruce that looks great.

Where is your generator located? On the 2013 it is the first compartment behind the driver. I was told the generator was moved but don't know where to.

cptxguys · 08-19-2014, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa W

Robert/Bruce that looks great.

Where is your generator located? On the 2013 it is the first compartment behind the driver. I was told the generator was moved but don't know where to.

Lisa,
Thanks! The generator is located in the second bay behind the driver. The first bay behind the driver contains the house batteries and hydraulics for the leveling gear.

Here's the finished product. I sealed the edges of the grill with clear RV sealant (which will also adhere it to the door) and fastened it with 4 #6 stainless steel screws with 3/4" fender washers, lock washers, and nuts.

IdahoSRT10 · 08-19-2014, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoSRT10

The Onan 4000 in our 2014 Fleetwood Storm has the same overheat issues. Fleetwood has a TSB Fix on this, they are sending me a shroud and seal for the back of gen. door to gen air intake. I already made and installed a door vent (Pic). I also cut 36" off the gen. exhaust pipe that ran under the gen. air intake to lessen the heat transmitted up towards the air intake. (easy fix)

I finished installing the factory supplied shroud. Fleetwood said the vent needs a sealed shroud to work properly. (So far it works in 90deg temps)

cptxguys · 08-20-2014, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoSRT10

I finished installing the factory supplied shroud. Fleetwood said the vent needs a sealed shroud to work properly. (So far it works in 90deg temps)

Prior to your modification with the shroud, where was the air intake? It appears (though I can't quite tell) in the photo, the generator compartment has a floor that extends to the bay door. Is that the case?

On the ACE, the generate sets back about 3" from the bay door and there is no floor allowing air to come up from the ground between the generator and the back of the bay door.

With the design of the ACE, my belief is that the ambient air would be too hot as it exited the the engine compartment and get sucked into the generator bay.