Results for "generator repair"

Engine Medium 2-6 hours 612 👍 1

Onan 5500 Generator Problems: Complete Repair Guide

Spent three hours testing my 2014 Hurricane's Onan 5500 gen getting 11.8 volts output when every manual says it should be 12+ volts! Here's the weird part - when I disconnect the remote harness, the generator fires right up and purrs like a kitten. But the second I plug that remote connection back in, boom - both the remote start light AND the generator start light come on, and then... nothing. Won't start at all.

The really bizarre symptom is this chattering from the fuel pump when the remote is connected. I can literally feel the fuel line jumping around when I put my hand on it. It's like the pump is having some kind of seizure or something!

I'm guessing this has to be some kind of electrical issue between the control board and the remote system, but I've never seen anything quite like this before. Anyone dealt with this specific combo of symptoms on an Onan 5500? Really hoping there's a known fix because pulling this thing out of the RV again would be a major pain! …more

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Electrical Medium 2-6 hours 464 👍 4

RV Electrical Problems: 12V & 120V Troubleshooting Guide

Around $500 in parts later — replaced the main breaker, cleaned all connections, checked the transfer switch — my 2007 Holiday Rambler Admiral SE still won't recognize shore power.

I'm pretty sure 110V is making it to the rig since I can measure it, but somewhere between the plug and my appliances, something's not happy. Energy management panel is dark too. What's the logical troubleshooting order here? I keep hearing about transfer switches and breaker panels but honestly don't know where to start without making things worse! …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 390 👍 0

Generac 7.5kW Diesel Generator Repair Guide - RV Troubleshooting

Planning to ignore the weird noises from our Generac 7.5kW diesel generator backfired when my wife pointed out I definitely made things worse during my repair attempt. I have a 2007 Monaco with a Generac 7.5kW diesel generator, and yesterday when I tried starting it, the battery was really weak. I probably held the starter button too long - maybe 15 seconds or so - because it was cranking so slowly and I kept hoping it would catch.

Now when I try to start it, I just get a single click and nothing happens. I'm worried I damaged something by cranking it so long with that weak battery. Should I be looking at the starter solenoid or starter motor? Is there anything I can check myself before I have to take it to a repair shop? I'd really appreciate any guidance on troubleshooting this. …more

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Engine Easy N/A 373 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 RV Chassis: Fuel, Power & Weight

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Electrical Medium 45 minutes 258 👍 0

RV Shore Power Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Plugged into shore power at the campground last night and absolutely nothing happened — no lights, no AC, nothing. Breaker on the pedestal looks fine and my neighbor's rig is running perfectly on the same circuit. Starting to wonder if something fried inside the transfer switch. …more

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Electrical Medium 30 min read 242 👍 0

RV DC Electrical System: Expert Guide to 12 Volt Systems

Opened my RV this morning to find the 12V system going haywire — lights dimming randomly, fans slowing down, and the inverter shutting off despite full batteries.

Specifically, I need to understand the fundamentals of RV batteries - different types, proper sizing, charging requirements, and maintenance. I'm also confused about DC wiring best practices, what gauge wire to use for different applications, how to properly route and protect circuits, and where fuses and breakers should go. Voltage monitoring is another area where I'm lost - I see all these battery monitors and don't know what I actually need or how to interpret the readings.

I'm also planning some system upgrades down the road like adding solar or upgrading to lithium batteries, so I'd love to understand how all these components work together and what I need to consider for future modifications. Is there a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of RV DC electrical systems from batteries and wiring through monitoring and upgrades? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 213 👍 0

How to Upgrade Progressive Dynamics Converter for Lithium RV Batteries Safely

Got a 15-year-old Progressive Dynamics converter that's starting to throw fault codes with my new lithium setup — worth upgrading or try making it work? I have a 2006 Lance 915 cabover that I recently upgraded with 2-200 watt Bouge solar panels and 2-100ah SOK lithium batteries.

The problem is I'm still running the original Progressive Dynamics converter charger that came with the RV, and I've learned it's not designed for lithium batteries. I'm worried about damaging my new battery investment.

What are my options for upgrading? I'm not sure if I need to replace the whole converter unit or if there's some kind of upgrade kit available. Any advice would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up! …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 200 👍 0

How to Upgrade Your RV Converter Charger for Lithium Batteries with Gentle Care

Halfway through planning our three-week cross-country trip next month, I realized my PD4560 60-amp converter/charger won't properly handle the lithium batteries I'm installing. My existing Progressive Dynamics unit obviously isn't designed for LiFePO4 batteries - I can use boost mode to charge them up, but I know that's not ideal for battery longevity.

I just purchased a 30 amp generator and I'm wondering if it will have enough capacity to handle not just my current charger, but potentially a larger lithium-compatible unit. I'm considering upgrading to a 75 or even 90 amp charger to reduce charging times, but I need to make sure my generator can handle the load. I'm trying to figure out the actual AC amp draw of these higher-capacity chargers and whether my 30 amp generator will be sufficient.

What are the best lithium-compatible converter/charger options that would work with my generator setup, and how do I properly size the charger capacity to match my lithium battery bank? …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 189 👍 0

Why Your RV Trips GFCI at Home But Not Campground: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Turned on my motorhome at 11 PM and it tripped the home GFCI again — works perfectly at campgrounds but I need this solved before departure.

I've tried different adapters, rewired a busted GFCI inside the rig, even turned off ALL the breakers including the main panel breaker. Still trips my house GFCI every time, whether it's the garage, side of house, or front outlets. What gives? Why would it work everywhere else but trip GFCIs at home? There's gotta be something specific causing this, right? …more

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Slideouts Medium 45 minutes 180 👍 0

RV Electric Leveling Jacks Won't Extend - Fix Clicking Issue

Wondering if I should drop $800 on new electric leveling jacks or if this annoying clicking issue can actually be fixed first? The jacks were working perfectly fine on our last camping trip about two weeks ago, but now when I try to extend them, I can hear a distinct clicking sound coming from the controller panel, yet none of the jacks actually move or extend. The clicking happens consistently when I press the extend button, so it seems like the system is trying to respond, but something is preventing the actual mechanical operation.

I'm wondering what the most common causes are for this specific symptom - where you get the clicking from the controller but no actual jack movement. I'd like to understand the logical troubleshooting sequence, starting with the easiest things to check first before I dive into more complex diagnostics. The RV has been sitting plugged into shore power, but I know these systems can have multiple potential failure points including electrical, hydraulic, or control issues.

What should I be checking first, and what's the typical progression for diagnosing electric leveling jack problems that manifest with clicking sounds but no extension? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 179 👍 0

Onan 4000 Generator Surging: Step-by-Step Fix Guide

Despite my neighbor's Onan 4000 generator purring like a kitten, mine suddenly developed nasty surging issues yesterday — what's going wrong? It surges when cold, then settles down as it warms up. Under load it surges heavily until the appliance shuts off. Getting worse each day.

What are the main causes of generator surging? Need a step-by-step approach to diagnose and fix this - should I start with the carburetor, fuel system, or something else? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 176 👍 0

LiFePO4 Battery Not Charging in RV: Complete Diagnosis Guide

Planning my next boondocking trip when this faint electrical burning smell started coming from my battery compartment, and my 950W flat mounted plus 1200W ground solar setup isn't charging my LiFePO4 batteries at all. My LiFePO4 batteries used to charge up beautifully, hitting 100% by late afternoon like clockwork.

Now? Total drama queens. This morning we woke up at 18% charge, and after a full day of glorious sunshine, we're sitting pretty at a whopping 63%. With 2150W of solar, I should be swimming in electrons! But instead my batteries are acting like teenagers - moody and refusing to cooperate.

I'm starting to suspect something's gone wrong, but honestly, I have no clue how to properly check LiFePO4 batteries. Are they actually broken, or am I just doing something monumentally stupid? What voltage readings should I be looking for, and what else should I check before I start panic-buying new batteries? …more

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Engine Medium Varies by issue 176 👍 0

Onan Generator Fault Codes: Complete Troubleshooting Guide for RV Owners

During my latest camping trip my Onan generator threw a fault code — got my multimeter ready and just need to figure out which diagnostic approach will crack this thing.

I'm seeing 12 or 13 blinks on my generator error display and want to understand what these codes might mean. Are these codes consistent across different Onan models? I'm hoping it's a minor issue and not something requiring a major repair.

Can anyone help me decode what these blinking fault codes typically indicate? …more

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Engine Medium 2 hours 173 👍 0

Onan 5500 Generator Tune-Up: Best Aftermarket Parts

Before my last camping trip when I tried to order replacement parts, I discovered that finding genuine OEM components for my Onan 5500 generator has become nearly impossible. The Cummins website has been showing most tune-up components as out of stock for months now, and when I do find supposedly "official" Onan oil filters online, many retailers are substituting generic filters that may not meet the same specifications.

I've been researching alternatives and I'm particularly concerned about getting the right oil filter and spark plugs. For the oil filter, I've seen conflicting information about whether aftermarket options like Wix filters are truly compatible - some sources mention the 57398 but I've read mixed reviews about fitment issues. For spark plugs, my current ones are NGK BPR4EY, and I've heard the NGK 3432 might be equivalent, but I want to make sure before ordering.

I'm also planning to stick with zinc-containing oil like Rotella T6 15w40 since I know air-cooled engines need the extra protection, but I'd love confirmation that I'm on the right track with quality aftermarket parts that won't compromise my generator's performance. What specific part numbers and brands would you recommend for a reliable tune-up when OEM parts aren't available? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours research 172 👍 0

How to Find Discontinued Generac 75D Coolant Hose C4845 for 2003 Newmar Dutch Star RV

Generac generator in my 2003 Dutch Star needs a specific coolant hose — part number C4845 — and it's been discontinued everywhere I look. Called six RV parts suppliers and checked every online dealer. Need to find a compatible replacement before this thing overheats on our summer trip. …more

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