Fleetwood Motorhome Association, Inc. - Onan Microquiet 4000 Generator starts/runs only with the coach vehicle running?

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Onan Microquiet 4000 Generator starts/runs only with the coach vehicle running?

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10/03/2013 8:59 AM

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Message # 1403957

Deleted user

Onan Microquiet 4000 Generator will only start and run continuously with coach vehicle running. When I turn the vehicle ignition key off, the generator stops running immediately. The 2 house batteries are out at this time and have 12.21 and 12.33 volts respectively. Battery Control Center (Check Levels Panel in the kitchen) only works when connected to shore power. Grounds are tightly fastened to the vehicle frame at generator and battery area. (+) lead from generator runs up to a power distribution grid to the rt side of the battery compartment. (I think this is the distribution center that allows one of the house batteries to start the vehicle in case the vehicle battery is low/dead.)

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated to troubleshoot this gremlin.

Ken

10/05/2013 6:23 PM

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Reply # 1405558 on 1403957

Deleted user

Did some testing this am. With the motorhome running, the vehicles starting battery measures 14.36 volts and the 2 house batteries (linked in parallel) measure 12.93 volts. Plugged into shore power (120VAC), the vehicles starting battery measures 12.43 and the 2 house batteries measure 12.93 volts.

Started the motorhome, started the generator from the switch inside the motorhome, microwave power comes on immediately. Turned the vehicle off and the generator continued to run. - (Lights, A/C, microwave, etc. - All appear to be working with generator running)

So, I stop the generator from running from the inside switch and all power in the trailer is gone. No 12 volts anywhere. So why are the 2 house batteries not being allowed to provide 12 volts to the trailer?

Apparently, it takes a turn of the key in the ignition to release 12 volt power to the generator. I have traced the wires. 12 volt from the starting battery runs into a compartment to the right side of the 2 house batteries. It is attached to a small electrical box with 2 connections. It is connected to one side and the 12 volt wire to the generator is on the other side. The 12 volts is not sent to the generator wire until the key in the ignition is turned on.

The 12 volt (+) wire from the 2 house batteries runs into the same compartment, but connects to a different small electrical box. This box also has a second connection. There is a red (12 volt) wire coming off it over to the 2nd connection on the first small box. It connects along with the 12 volt wire that runs to the generator.

Not sure what this area would be called or its purpose. Anyone heard of a setup like this? It has a metal cover secured by 2 screws. There are also 5 fuses - (12 volt type) located in this compartment area. They are labled as: Auxillary - (15 amp Emergency Start Switch, 5 amp Solar Panel, 3 amp LPG Detector) and Main - (7.5 amp Front Enter Center, 3 amp Solar Panel).

Is it possible that this rv is wired so you do not have 12 volts unless you have the vehicle plugged into shore power or have the vehicle/generator running?

Thoughts?

10/06/2013 10:31 PM

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Reply # 1406322 on 1403957

Deleted user

Issue resolved.

The ground wire coming off the back on the PowerTek Battery Disconnect relay was split into 2 lines and one of them was connected to the (+) terminal on one of the house batteries. Switched it to a (-) terminal on one of the house batteries and walla!! The aux battery switch in the on/off switch.

All lights working off the house batteries now. Generator can be started now off the house batteries. Just click the aux battery switch in the disconnect direction to disable the house batteries. click it on when you want to connect them.