Community Forums

Jtracker · 08-14-2017, 12:24 PM

2011 Itasca SunCruiser 39P
Gas unit with an on an 5500 generator
When driving down the road running the generator and two AC units. When I do over a bump, the generator sometimes shuts down 3 TO 5 seconds after the bump.
Here is the odd part, if I run just one, front or back, it doesn't shutdown, runs all day no problem. Shortly after I run both ac's it dies. If I am not traveling it will also run all day and night without a problem and both AC's running.

Took it to Onan who worked on it for 8 hours, replaced the carb and fuel pump. Drove it around the block, hit a few bumps, no problem, paid $1000, got on the interstate headed home and it died unless than 2 miles.

Anyone have any ideas. Looks like my only choice is to run one AC while driving.

Ray,IN · 08-15-2017, 08:20 PM

Return to that Onan repair shop and request they redo their repair. Begin with re-tracing your route with the bumps and show them they did not fix the problem.

brucemcdou · 08-15-2017, 08:47 PM

JTracker - not a solution, but affirmation. We had a similar problem in our prior (gas) RV. A Marquis Gold 5500 generator that would start and run on the road but would randomly shut down, and our shop couldn't identify any issue. For us, i didn't think it was just bumps in the road but it would shut down when the load dropped; e.g., when the AC compressor turned off or the water heater got to temperature.

I did read that it was a known issue in that model (shutting down when the load dropped to Zero) but could never get it fixed. Learned to live with it. Good luck in finding a solution.

The generator in our new (diesel) RV hasn't done that but I think the smoother ride probably helps.

vsheetz · 08-15-2017, 09:02 PM

I had a 5500 in previous Coach. Would sometimes stop when moving, was 100% ok stationary. Found the oil level needed to be not just to the full mark, but filled to the tippy top. Else the low oil sensor would errouniously trip, shutting for the genny.

The fuel pump is also known to cause intermittent problem. Relatively inexpensive and easy to change.

ajwill60 · 08-17-2017, 03:29 PM

Had previous bounder with 5500 gen had wiring bundle zip tied right in front of kill switch inside of unit. When unit moved on springs it would mash switch and kill unit. Thought there was a ghost until I found the problem.

Oregonglen · 09-02-2017, 06:25 PM

is filling the oil level to the tip top is that safe for the gen? I didn't think that over filling oil levels was safe but I don't know for sure. I'm having the same problem with my gen. It shuts down while driving only

pointrow · 09-03-2017, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oregonglen

is filling the oil level to the tip top is that safe for the gen? I didn't think that over filling oil levels was safe but I don't know for sure. I'm having the same problem with my gen. It shuts down while driving only

I understand your concern on overfilling the oil but if the oil isn't foamed up on th dip stick when you pull it I wouldn't be worry about it.
Sounds more like a faulty low oil switch. Try a new one when you change oil the next time.

Good luck

Pointrow

cjd10 · 09-04-2017, 05:18 AM

Mine does it occasionally and on mine it is definitely oil pressure. Only after the generator has been running a while and the oil is good and hot. It will do it when the oil gets sloshed around too much such as going over a speed bump or backing into a campsite and hitting the brakes too hard. I have learned that keeping the oil level all the way to the full mark helps tremendously.
Sometimes the generator stumbles a bit causing the transfer switch to disengage and other times the generator is running but I have to shut it down and restart it again to get power even though no breakers are tripped.