Auto gen shutting off

[memphis02]

Hi all,

We're on our way out to Yellowstone and our Cummins onan qd-8000 keeps flipping back to manual mode despite turning on auto-gen. It runs perfectly in manual and 'will run for a period of time' on auto-gen where it will wake as needed when hvac calls for it, and shows no error codes. All of this happens while going down the road.

I believe the issue might be related to the ignition switch, but am not sure where any connection points are located to test to see if there's a loose connection etc. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Grumpy]

Is the safety mode on or off?

[memphis02]

Safetype is set to ignition.

[Grumpy]

But you should be able to turn it off and that will let you know if that is the problem.

[memphis02]

Hmm.. My only options are Ignition, Brake and Park. After messing with that, it appears I've caused more harm than good as I now get Ignition off & on. When pressing the auto-gen button.

[Grumpy]

You have to select on then it should allow you to proceed. It's been a couple years, but I know you have to vertify the safety every 25/30 days to have it operate properly.

[memphis02]

Thanks for the suggestions, Grumpy! I was able to get it to run through the safety check, finally. I *thought* I had it fixed with your advice, since it worked for several hours in the campground, once we got back underway, however, it immediately reverted to manual. I've got to believe I've got a loose wire somewhere causing the system to see the pulse that causes it to go to manual when the ignition is switched, or something to that effect. I have one major repair in front of this, but I plan to bird dog this one down and hope to document my findings, if/when I find out what's causing it!

[memphis02]

Just an update on this one... I had went through everything, tracing wires back as far as I could and *thought* I had fixed the problem as our trip to Niagara had no issues with the auto gen. This weekend, I attempted to renew the safety check and was unable as it would not detect the ignition switch, so it appears that my suspicion of a bad connection might be on the right track. I have contacted jayco and am expecting a schematic of the wiring between the commander and the ignition. I'll try to take some pics and update once I go through it all.

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by memphis02

Just an update on this one... I had went through everything, tracing wires back as far as I could and *thought* I had fixed the problem as our trip to Niagara had no issues with the auto gen. This weekend, I attempted to renew the safety check and was unable as it would not detect the ignition switch, so it appears that my suspicion of a bad connection might be on the right track. I have contacted jayco and am expecting a schematic of the wiring between the commander and the ignition. I'll try to take some pics and update once I go through it all.

When you start the Chassis engine... it is supposed to go to manual mode:

In the manual on page 3...

[memphis02]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

When you start the Chassis engine... it is supposed to go to manual mode:

In the manual on page 3...

It does not respond to the chassis ignition at all, now.

[memphis02]

I was able to get some schematics from Jayco and found that the ignition sense was tied to the aux start solenoid. I went into the battery compartment to find the fusable link had been eaten away from battery acid. I decided, then, it was a good time to clean the terminals, top off the cells and re-protect everything.

The wiring withe the blue butt connectors is the generator's sens circuit.

[javamon]

Originally Posted by memphis02

I was able to get some schematics from Jayco and found that the ignition sense was tied to the aux start solenoid. I went into the battery compartment to find the fusable link had been eaten away from battery acid. I decided, then, it was a good time to clean the terminals, top off the cells and re-protect everything.

The wiring withe the blue butt connectors is the generator's sens circuit.

Good update....thanks! I was checking my battery compartment last week and noticed one of the hold-down straps had been eaten away by battery acid.

[memphis02]

All of mine are gone, also. One would think that "battery tiedown straps" would be resistant to battery acid; that's just me, though...

[javamon]

Originally Posted by memphis02

All of mine are gone, also. One would think that "battery tiedown straps" would be resistant to battery acid; that's just me, though...

My low-tech bungee fix...works fine.

[javamon]

Originally Posted by javamon

My low-tech bungee fix...works fine.

The acid will eventually get it, but it will last a lot longer than that thin strap.

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by memphis02

I was able to get some schematics from Jayco and found that the ignition sense was tied to the aux start solenoid. I went into the battery compartment to find the fusable link had been eaten away from battery acid. I decided, then, it was a good time to clean the terminals, top off the cells and re-protect everything.

The wiring withe the blue butt connectors is the generator's sens circuit.

Glad you posted, these connections are something many of us should check!

[memphis02]

Bonus fun fact: this is also where the infamous "purple wire" in the cab over outlet connects to the ignition. It actually even has a fused link, too. Might be worth amending the old "cut here" directions to "pull this fuse".