Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-22-2015, 10:59 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Riverview
Posts: 316
Generator - hard to start

During our PDI, the gen set would not start. They brought a guy out and got it started for us. We never really got a good breakdown on how to get it started properly.

When we hold the prime button down and then move to the start function. Often times we don't hear it even turning over. Are we doing something wrong or is this simething that will require a trip to the dealer.
__________________
________
Carl & Dawn
2015 Greyhawk 31FS (with 4x4 conversion by Ujoint Offroad)
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (our TOAD on a DEMCO Dolly)
DW, DSx2, DDx2 Catx2 Dog
Tampa Bay Area of FL
CarlB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2015, 05:40 AM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 51
The only time I use the primer is after it sits for long periods It tends to flood the engine if you use it at every start. There is a short delay sometimes when you first hit the start button on mine
moonraker1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2015, 07:08 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
TexasRT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Dickinson
Posts: 481
On my previous Onan 5500 I would prime it for a couple a seconds, crank and prime again and it would start. This would be if it had sit for a couple of weeks. Once it had been running, it could be restarted with no prime up to a day or two later. Not sure why there would be a delay when starting, I never experienced that.

One thing I would highly recommend is to install a simple inline shut-off valve in the fuel line (if your fuel is gas) and always turn the fuel off and let it run until it shuts off. This is really important if you don't run the genset regularly, otherwise the gas in the carburator will probably gum up and cause issues. Also make sure you add Stabil fuel additive to the gas, this will help prevent the fuel from deteriating after setting for real long periods of time.
__________________
2015 Pinnacle 36FBTS w/Anderson Ultimate Hitch
2015 F250 SD Platinum 4x4 - 6.7L PSD
Titan 50 Gal. Fuel Tank
Slotted and Dimpled Brake Rotors
Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Airbags with WirelessAIR Controller
TexasRT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2015, 07:30 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Riverview
Posts: 316
TexasRT that is an Excellent point and I say that as I was reviewing the Documentation for the generator and they went to great lengths to warn of "Varnishing" and have an additive that they want to sell you.
__________________
________
Carl & Dawn
2015 Greyhawk 31FS (with 4x4 conversion by Ujoint Offroad)
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (our TOAD on a DEMCO Dolly)
DW, DSx2, DDx2 Catx2 Dog
Tampa Bay Area of FL
CarlB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2015, 10:09 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
TX_Arvee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pearland, TX
Posts: 514
The very best way to keep it starting well is to run it regularly. Onan's definitely are not Honda's when it comes to starting they are finicky and stubborn at times.
I sometimes need to prime mine 3 times before it will show signs of firing up. Get into the habit of running the generator every chance you get.
TX_Arvee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2015, 08:47 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
reitrof's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 360
At a minimum once a month under part load for 2 hours.
__________________
Bruce

2012 Greyhawk 31 FK
Flat towing a 2008 Miata.
reitrof is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2015, 09:03 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
TexasRT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Dickinson
Posts: 481
Quote:
Originally Posted by reitrof View Post
At a minimum once a month under part load for 2 hours.
Very, they love to run regularly.
__________________
2015 Pinnacle 36FBTS w/Anderson Ultimate Hitch
2015 F250 SD Platinum 4x4 - 6.7L PSD
Titan 50 Gal. Fuel Tank
Slotted and Dimpled Brake Rotors
Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Airbags with WirelessAIR Controller
TexasRT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2015, 01:15 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Riverview
Posts: 316
hmmm I guess I am missing my Onan LP Gen set in my old View...
__________________
________
Carl & Dawn
2015 Greyhawk 31FS (with 4x4 conversion by Ujoint Offroad)
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (our TOAD on a DEMCO Dolly)
DW, DSx2, DDx2 Catx2 Dog
Tampa Bay Area of FL
CarlB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2015, 01:37 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 17
Sounds to me like your battery is not charged fully and not giving the generator enough power to turn over.
nascar64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2015, 02:15 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Riverview
Posts: 316
So I found out that during the PDI, they never put the air filter back on properly. So that could be the main cause of a number of problems.

recently all 100v to the coach from the gen set stopped. After some kind people here told me of the breaker at the generator, I checked it out and found the filter in the condition that it was in. The air filter cap was also in the compartment floor floating around....
__________________
________
Carl & Dawn
2015 Greyhawk 31FS (with 4x4 conversion by Ujoint Offroad)
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (our TOAD on a DEMCO Dolly)
DW, DSx2, DDx2 Catx2 Dog
Tampa Bay Area of FL
CarlB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2015, 02:31 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
hoppers4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 2,064
I start mine once a month to exercise it. Even then it could take up to 15 to 20 seconds to start. I usually prime for at least 30 seconds and may have to repeat. I've had three MHs that acted the same way with the Onan 3500.
__________________
Don
hoppers4 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2015, 12:14 AM   #12
Member
 
Cycledoc675's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Madison
Posts: 81
Those Winnebago Views are enticing. I really wanted one, but just couldn't come to grips with the small fuel and propane tanks along with the less efficient LP genset. I like knowing I have 60 gallons of gas to boondock with on my Precept 29UM, without burning more expensive, less efficient, and far smaller capacity LP gas. And LP gas is less available and harder to find.
Cycledoc675 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2015, 06:51 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Riverview
Posts: 316
My biggest pet peeve was that generator's food and the internal set up. The TV was 110v, requiring us to use the gen set to keep the kids quiet while rolling. Finding Propane while on the road is a real PITA.
__________________
________
Carl & Dawn
2015 Greyhawk 31FS (with 4x4 conversion by Ujoint Offroad)
2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (our TOAD on a DEMCO Dolly)
DW, DSx2, DDx2 Catx2 Dog
Tampa Bay Area of FL
CarlB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.