Generator dies occasionally while traveling

Guid · 08-30-2020, 02:31 PM

My generator dies occasionally while I am traveling regardless of the fuel level. Any suggestions on what might cause this? Sometimes I travel for hours without a problem and other times it dies on a 30 minute trip. It is not predictable. I never have a problem when parked.
Thanks

Grumpy · 08-30-2020, 02:36 PM

Is the oil level full? The movement may cause the oil level sensor to cause a shutdown.

Guid · 08-30-2020, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Is the oil level full? The movement may cause the oil level sensor to cause a shutdown.

Yes the oil level is full , I check the oil before each trip. Thanks

EA37TS · 08-30-2020, 02:43 PM

What is the outside temperature? Could be over heating

Guid · 08-30-2020, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA37TS

What is the outside temperature? Could be over heating

That does sound like a possibility because I do think it has only happened during summer months.
Thanks

EA37TS · 08-30-2020, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guid

That does sound like a possibility because I do think it has only happened during summer months.
Thanks

Thor and Forest River had to put air vents on generator compartment doors to aid in ventilation because of over heating shut downs. It was a big issue a couple years ago.

NC Roamer · 08-30-2020, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Thor and Forest River had to put air vents on generator compartment doors to aid in ventilation because of over heating shut downs. It was a big issue a couple years ago.

I have considered adding boat air vents in my generator door. Just been too busy to get to it.

EA37TS · 08-30-2020, 04:01 PM

If my mind isn’t totally shot from old age, the Forest River kit had the vent and an inner shroud to direct airflow.

I could be wrong.

Greyhawk01 · 08-31-2020, 09:05 AM

I chased the same problem with mine stalling out while driving. If i ran it while it parked it would run all day no problem. Someone posted the solution a while back i cant remember who. But it was a loose power connection to the air conditioner that would kick the ac on and off when driving over bumps. That subsequently would cause the generator to stall. Solution was to tighten the connectors on the AC.

Jagiven · 08-31-2020, 09:23 AM

Someone just posted a similar issue about a month ago. The problem was tracked back to a failed catalytic converter on the Coach's engine. The exhaust system was getting extremely hot.

jvteach77 · 08-31-2020, 09:33 AM

I had a similar issue with my Greyhawk. If the outside temps were about 95 degrees and up my generator would vapor lock on me. You don't say if your genny was a gas or deisel and I don't know if vapor lock is a possibility on deisel engines. I removed the door to the generator during one trip to Arizona in June and had plans to add a vent to door to get more air to the genny, but we sold the RV and upgraded to a seneca, so I never had to. At the time, I thought it was a design flaw b/c with the door closed here was only about an inch of clearance between the door and the generator to allow air flow to the sides. Plus the air from undernearth was already hot as it was coming straight off the engine before it got to the generator.

RobieMo · 08-31-2020, 10:23 PM

Guid, I had the same problem and I did a few things to resolve it. I made sure the oil level was correct as you have and that wasn't it. With some help I figured it was a vapor lock problem. I moved the generator fuel pump to outside the generator housing and mounted it so it got better air flow. On my rig the fuel line for the generator was the lowest (closest to the ground) so I re routed it and wrapped it in some heat shield. But to increase the air flow to the generator itself was instead of cutting into the door I put a vent forward of the generator. Since making these changes it has only stopped one time and that was going uphill in stop and go traffic in triple degree temps. If I had to do it over I would just go with the vent and see if that works.

Best of luck.

Rob

K9Nardu · 09-01-2020, 06:26 AM

On Jayco Greyhawk models, beginning in early production model year 2018, Jayco began installing screened vent openings in the generator compartment door to remedy the issue. You could probably go to your local dealer and order the screened compartment door, or easily cut one into the door yourself if your handy. Fortunately for me I have a 2018 Greyhawk with the screened vent opening in the generator compartment door and have had no issues to date.

K9Nardu · 09-01-2020, 06:31 AM

Here is a pic of the generator door vent.

rodpod · 09-14-2020, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC Roamer

I have considered adding boat air vents in my generator door. Just been too busy to get to it.

I have a 2018 Greyhawk 29 mv. It did not come with the vented generator door found on the 2019 units and above. Called Jayco, ordered the vented door through a dealer had it dropped shipped to me. installed in 15 minutes. works great cost $130 plus shipping. easier than a mod to the existing door.

Camper_bob · 09-15-2020, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodpod

I have a 2018 Greyhawk 29 mv. It did not come with the vented generator door found on the 2019 units and above. Called Jayco, ordered the vented door through a dealer had it dropped shipped to me. installed in 15 minutes. works great cost $130 plus shipping. easier than a mod to the existing door.

That's some solid info on this. I know at least a couple people have tried to mod the door to add a vent. But $130 for a brand new item shipped to my door, install ready, would be worth it for me to just purchase it rather than hack something together.

Luckily my 2018 28MV came with the vented door. And it has still overheated twice in almost 3 years.

drmike961 · 09-15-2020, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guid

Yes the oil level is full , I check the oil before each trip. Thanks

FWIW there are reports of genny issues that remained unsolved for years that turned out to be slightly overfull of oil NOT low on oil, so keep that in mind as well. I doubt this is your problem but it is one that everyone should know about.

NC Roamer · 09-15-2020, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodpod

I have a 2018 Greyhawk 29 mv. It did not come with the vented generator door found on the 2019 units and above. Called Jayco, ordered the vented door through a dealer had it dropped shipped to me. installed in 15 minutes. works great cost $130 plus shipping. easier than a mod to the existing door.

Good news. I’ll definitely take this option. Cutting holes in the Greyhawk makes me nervous.

Bullet370 · 09-19-2020, 12:21 PM

My 2020 29 precept is in the shop now for same issue. Took it to a cummins dealer and they said there is a service bulletin from onan and it is a deverter to keep warm exhaust air away from the front intake air.
Tried that did not help. Jayco is currently installing a vent in the rv door to allow heat from gen and engine yo escape. Hope that helps !!
I do feel certain it is vapor locking. Mine is still in warranty and i am hoping Jayco can resolve.
Im a little skeptical and may not know untill next year when it heats up again .

Bullitt6283 · 09-19-2020, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

That's some solid info on this. I know at least a couple people have tried to mod the door to add a vent. But $130 for a brand new item shipped to my door, install ready, would be worth it for me to just purchase it rather than hack something together.

Luckily my 2018 28MV came with the vented door. And it has still overheated twice in almost 3 years.

Does your vented door have a Jayco part number on it?

Thanks!

.

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