Community Forums

RV LYONS · 10-22-2017, 04:59 PM

Hi, My Onan generator is not producing any power, it was a little hard starting, and doesn't seem to be running at full rpm's. no breakers are tripped, it was smoking out the exhaust pipe a little. I have a plug in meter in one of the outlets, and it was only reading 100 volts, I opened the microwave and the light went on but not the display, I exercise it monthly.
Anybody have any ideas what could be wrong or where to start?
Thanks Rick

Rkesselus · 10-22-2017, 06:20 PM

Try to find a tac to determine if the RPM is up to snuff. Your owners manuel should tell you what the RPM should be and how to adjust the RPM of the engine. If you list the model of the unit you will most likely get some more attention.

twinboat · 10-22-2017, 06:56 PM

If its black smoke, the choke may be stuck or the carburetor is flooding.

Open the air cleaner and see if the choke butterfly is open fully while running.

With the generator engine off, you can push the primer switch and watch the carb, to see if its dripping gas. That would tell you the carb is flooding.

Soppy · 10-22-2017, 07:08 PM

Check the frequency . If it's 60Hz the generator is running the correct RPM. If you got 60Hz , then there is a problem with the voltage regulator or brushes. Could be bad spark plugs causing it to run on 1 cylinder. Dirty air cleaner ?

Hgrace56 · 10-22-2017, 08:07 PM

1800 rpm is common for 60hz

okcnewbie · 10-22-2017, 08:13 PM

Make sure the linkage isn't sticking.

NeilV · 10-22-2017, 08:41 PM

On a 1996 the first thing is to check how many hours are on the generator. It is supposed to have the spark plugs changed, cooling fins cleaned and valves adjusted every 500 hours or sooner if performance diminishes. Every 150 hours you replace the fuel filter (the fuel filter that screws into carburetor is now eliminated by an adapter and only the larger in-line filter is recommended), oil, oil filter and air filter. Every 50 hours you are supposed to pull the purge plug on the muffler and run it under a heavy load to clear out any carbon buildup or the spark arrestor can get clogged preventing the generator from reaching the required rpm's.

Brushes should be replaced if less than 7/16" of material protrudes from the brush block.

Once the standard maintenance items have been caught up with then you need to look into ethanol impacted carburetors and fuel pumps slowing down. The voltage regulators and such won't be able to do their job if you need long past due regular maintenance to be caught up on. There is also a chance that a 31 year old drive belt may be slipping.