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Check for spark, check for gas. The older Onan's with original ignition coils would get hot and shut off. Take off a spark plug wire and put an insulated handle screw driver in the boot. Hold the metal part of the screwdriver 1/2 inch from the engine and crank it over. If you see spark, look for a gas problem. If you have no spark, look for ignition problems. You probably have points and condensor on that old of an engine. It wouldn't hurt to replace them if you have never done it. jbdtv
My rv is a chevy with a itasca home and it's a 1978 now i would guess the onan would be that year too. i don't have a manual and i can't see a fuel filter other then the one i just put in just before the fuel pump and did take the bottom of the pump off and the screen was clean on that. jim
Either overload or----have you ever changed the Generator fuel filter
-and on 97 and newer fleetwood products---fuel lines need to be replaced---there is "recall for that" but----you do the work--fuel line is not up to par for newer fuels---and line deteriotes---
I got a letter from Bounder--
did mine
Ok joe i get plenty of fuel. i ran it for 3 hrs. but as soon as i turned the air on, it shut off. other wise i can start it when it's cold turn on the air and in twenty mins.it will shut off! help!!! jim
OK.....if you are sure you have gas when it quits, next is to check like I told you for spark. A full tune up including a coil would probably solve the problem. If it has points and condensor, and you have never changed points, you might consider having them installed by somebody that has.
I dissagree with the comment that LOAD would not make the generator quit. Ever heard of "Lock Rotor Current?" The roof air conditioner compressor can draw 100+ amps on start-up if there is low voltage due to bad electrical connections. Also check the cycling time of your air's thermostat. If the air cycles off on temp and tries to restart before the system has a chance to equalize it will draw "Lock Rotor Currant". True the mechanical condition of your Gen set is very important. However if the gen set runs for 15 min's or so then quits when the air is on? Dosen't take a rocket scientest to figure where to go from there. As I mentioned given that the gen set is in good operatinjg condition I would do a good electrical maintenance check of your electrical system.
If your ONAN is in good running condition (tun-up etc.) Sometimes roof top air conditioner compressors will requier a little more current to kick start them when they get older. First I would check all your electrical connections at the breaker and air conditioner for tightness and wear.If you do not have a transfer switch on you RV (if you do check those electrical connections), switching shore power over to Gen power automatically, and you manually have to plug your Onan into your RV via shore power cord, Check the 30 amp power cord plug, connections and your 30 amp recepticle. They will wear from use and cause a poor connection causing high current draw. Also air conditioner suppliers sell a "Hot Start" kit. It is a high capacity start capacitor that plucks into your existing compresor run capacitor. The "Hot Start" kit will store extra energy to give your comprssor extra KICK to start reducing the air conditioner start load on your Onan.
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