Posted 2010-01-13 8:02 AM (#115195) Subject: onan generator
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Snow Camp NC
Just picked up a hart trailer with a on board onan generator that will not start. The solinoid clicks like there is a voltage problem gut then sometimes it will turn the engine over but slow or kinda off on. I have not checked the voltage yet I am assuming it starts off the trailer batteries.Just wondering if anyone has had this problem and what the fix was.
Posted 2010-01-13 8:08 AM (#115196 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
Sounds like a low battery. My generator has it's own which is the way to go in my opinion. That way you can run your trailer batteries low and still get the gen to start IMO
Posted 2010-01-13 10:04 AM (#115203 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Location: Central Arkansas
I also have a seperate battery mounted up in my haypod that is dedicated to my rooftop generator. If you gen is gas, make sure your carb hasn't gumped up from gas breakdown. We had a Onan gas gen on a new trailer we once bought from a dealer who forgot to add stabilzer when he took it to the Congress to sale. We bought it a few months later and the gas had already gone bad. It only had 2 hrs on it! Took the trailer to the Onan service center and $320 later, it worked like a new one was suppose to work. Never had another moments trouble and owned it for 3 years. Sold it to one of my best friends, and she has owned it for 5 years without any issues. Routine service as maintenance is essential!
Posted 2010-01-13 10:38 AM (#115208 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Sounds like a weak battery, corroded or bad connection. Solenoid may be weak. It may have it's own dedicated starting battery or it may use the #2 house battery. Trace your wires back from the generator.
Posted 2010-01-13 11:28 AM (#115210 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Snow Camp NC
looks like it may start off one of the house batteries. Have not seen another battery anywhere. I have not really messed with it much been to dang cold. It is suppose to warmer this weekend so i will dig a little deeper. I don't know how old the gas is hopefully i will be ok on that end.It sure looks it will be a mess to change the oil seems like they would put a drain hose on there.
Posted 2010-01-13 1:00 PM (#115221 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Is the generator in the manger? If so, there should be a panel you can remove in the stall to get to the backside and bottom of the generator. Sometimes the gen battery will be in that compartment.
Posted 2010-01-13 2:09 PM (#115227 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
If its a 4000 onan try this. If the solinoid is clicking, and it will not start, and batteries are charged:
Look on left side of generator while facing the open panel. Reach inside (on left side) and spin the armature. The starter on an onan is pretty lite...as in it will not hardly turn itself. Then try to crank.
I drove an hour to Onan dealer for him to show me this on my 4000. May have to do it more than once.
Posted 2010-01-13 2:47 PM (#115229 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Snow Camp NC
The trailer is a hart with an outlaw conversion. The gen is in one of the managers had not even thought about seeing if there is a removeable cover inside the trailer.It is a 4000 I will try the armeture also. Man it would be nice if there is a battery hidden there somewhere. I will look around good when i get home today not to cold out now.Thanks for the input so far.
Posted 2010-01-13 5:33 PM (#115244 - in reply to #115195) Subject: RE: onan generator
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Snow Camp NC
There was a removable panel inside and found a battery in the hole. Charged it for a while and the gen spun over like it should. Did not start not sure if there is gas in the tank. I ran out of daylight so now to see if it is getting gas and spark. Hopefully the carb is not gummed up. The hr meter shows 455hrs does not seem like alot to me. Definetly needs an oil change but i need to get running to warm the oil up first. Thanks again for the replies.WH
onan generator
