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Old 02-20-2017, 03:15 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2014 Windsport 34f
State: Alabama
Posts: 295
THOR #6507
5.5 k Generator

I am purchasing a 2014 Thor Windsport 34f. The Generator has 1107 hours. What should I check for? Thanks

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Old 02-20-2017, 04:40 PM   #2
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Good for you. Have a qualified mechanic check it.
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Old 02-20-2017, 05:55 PM   #3
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Check to make sure the generator has been serviced at the
regular intervals.

We stay mostly at full hook up campsites so my 2015 Hurricane
only has about 39 hours on it after almost 2 years, it has had
the recommended oil change as needed.
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Old 02-20-2017, 06:03 PM   #4
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run the generator check for output to all coach electrics (fridge, AC, microwave, outlets, etc), make sure no odd looking smoke out the exhaust, no oil leaks and inquire about maintenance, oil and filter, etc.
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Old 02-20-2017, 11:37 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by rickymac View Post
I am purchasing a 2014 Thor Windsport 34f. The Generator has 1107 hours. What should I check for? Thanks
The previous owner must have done a lot of dry camping to put that many hours on the generator. The advice given about having it checked, checking maintenance, and looking for any obvious problems is the best you are going to get!
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Old 02-21-2017, 12:31 AM   #6
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rickymac - the Onan 5.5 KW generator is a HORSE, but. Like everyone has pointed out - check the maintenance record. Now - go start the generator. Now go inside and turn on the AC (both of them), turn on the microwave and anything else that draws power. Listen to the generator, the generator should make a slight decrease in rpm then come backup to an even steady rpm. Let the generator run - it should continue to run at an even RPM without fluctuations.

Having just been through this - the brushes are good for right at a 1000 hours. Our generator brushes went out at slightly less.
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Old 02-21-2017, 02:20 AM   #7
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Check for sure that the hour meter doesn't say 110.7 hours. Just sayin...
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Old 07-08-2018, 06:46 AM   #8
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Checking your generator means to do some maintenance to it.

1. After the start of diesel generator set, it must be run 3-5 min under no load, then it can be allowed to accelerate and load. When the water temperature is higher than 75℃, the oil temperature is higher than 50℃, and the engine oil pressure is higher than 0.25MPa, it can be allowed to work normally.

2. For the new supercharged diesel engine or the new replacement supercharger, which must remove the inlet connector on supercharger, filling in 50-60ml engine oil to prevent burning out turbo-charger bearing due to the lack of oil at startup.

3. When the diesel generator set runs, you should observe the operation of the generator and the indicator value of all instruments. In case of emergency, you should adopt emergency shutdown measures to prevent diesel generator from being killed due to water shortage overheating or oil pressure loss.

4. In general, it is not allowed to start diesel generator set without air filter (Except for marine diesel generator sets). This can prevent dust and impurities entering the diesel engine so as to avoid the early wear of diesel genset.

5. For the running diesel generator set, it should be careful to prevent steam wounding when filling coolant liquid. Only when the water temperature is below 70℃ can allow to open pressure cap.

6. Diesel generating set shall be in the parking state when adjusting the belt tension and other driving devices.

7. When the diesel generator set is stopped, especially in winter, without using anti-freezing coolant, all the cooling water in the cooling tank should be drained to prevent machine from cracking.

8. The diesel engine is not allowed to be directly cooled by seawater. In case of the thermolator for controlling water temperature is out of order, it should be promptly replaced instead of removing.

9. Users are not allowed to remove all seals on the diesel generator set. If necessary, the machine should be repaired or adjusted by professional company.

10. Regularly checking the fastening bolts and nuts to check whether they are loose or not.

11. It should be careful to avoid acid wounding when supplementing the battery electrolyte.

12. When the diesel generator set is not used for a long time or in the maintenance, in order to prevent the diesel engine starting in accident, the connecting wire between the generator and the battery should be removed.

13. When filling the engine oil, different specifications of the lubricating oil can't be mixed use.

14. Doing a thorough cleaning to the engine body every month, without grease, dust and sundries including equipment, accessories, and cleaning and oil storage of tools.

15. According to the requirements for the use of genset and the climate natural environmental condition, safeguard procedures should be taken timely especially for mobile generating set. In winter, you should promptly replace antifreeze oil and cooling liquid. In summer, you should strengthen sunstroke prevention and cooling measures. The outdoor work gensets should be covered with tent in order to prevent sun exposure. In the rainy season, moisture proofing should be taken into account.
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Old 07-14-2018, 02:13 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by schreinertms View Post
run the generator check for output to all coach electrics (fridge, AC, microwave, outlets, etc), make sure no odd looking smoke out the exhaust, no oil leaks and inquire about maintenance, oil and filter, etc.
Yeah, I have a 2016(?) Windsport myself. Open the panel and lift off the cover, then find where the oil plug, air filter and linkage are. What the type of oil is, type of spark plugs and what it sounds like running. Most of that you can find for free on this forum. Then get a Notebook and write this stuff down, along with all the other RV stuff. Happy trails.
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Old 07-14-2018, 02:17 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Mr Sunshine View Post
Check for sure that the hour meter doesn't say 110.7 hours. Just sayin...
That too. It's really hard to read cause it's about chest level, has small lettering and doesn't have a good visual readout.
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Old 07-14-2018, 03:12 PM   #11
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I don't think 1100 hours is excessive for 4 year old unit. As everyone has said...check everything including performing a compression test if available. Mostly make sure the coach will stay cool while underway with dash a/c, without having to run generator all the time.
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