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12-23-2019, 06:29 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Onan 4k Overload
Boondocking on the way out here, I ran my toaster - 750w, coffee maker - 650w and tried to run my microwave - 1500w, (950w output). I hit start on the mw and as soon as it kicked in, the generator stumbled and went out like a light.
If you add it all up, it's only 2850w. The Onan is supposed to support 4k. What am I missing?
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12-23-2019, 06:38 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,884
THOR #6826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Breeze
Boondocking on the way out here, I ran my toaster - 750w, coffee maker - 650w and tried to run my microwave - 1500w, (950w output). I hit start on the mw and as soon as it kicked in, the generator stumbled and went out like a light.
If you add it all up, it's only 2850w. The Onan is supposed to support 4k. What am I missing?
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It was also running your lights, TV and such and charging your batteries. Did you have any heat going? Maybe tank heaters? Perhaps start up loads are higher on a microwave though I can’t think why.
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12-23-2019, 07:06 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
It was also running your lights, TV and such and charging your batteries. Did you have any heat going? Maybe tank heaters? Perhaps start up loads are higher on a microwave though I can’t think why.
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Nothing I had control over. No lights, TV, etc. Batteries? Maybe. Electric shaver was plugged in. Hardly counting that.
Honest, other than the things I have most no control over were shut off/down. You make a good point about the micro start up. Nothing failed until it went into a heat cycle. Food for thought.
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12-23-2019, 07:19 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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while your generator could certainly 'handle' the wattage/amps you were throwing at it, generators sometime are finicky, and having several things 'going' all at the same time, especially high-draw appliances, and then suddenly adding a 'boooom' of microwave draw to it can bring about a sudden 'need' for power, for which the generator can't spool up fast enough, causing it to stumble, or stop.
Yes, you may also have had the CHARGER charging the batteries at that very time, on 'high charge/bulk charge' which also uses a lot of amps, which is pretty normal anytime you start the generator.
We've had our generator stumble and stop at times, not very often, but it does happen. I just restart the generator, hold the start button a little longer than required after it starts, and then let it get back to business. It usually works.
Really, if you were requiring more amps than the generator is designed for, it's own BReAKER would trip, but it's also quite possible that it's breaker(s) are actually rated higher than the output of the generator. You probably have two 20amp 'tandem' breakers, one may show on the generator, and another is behind the panel where you won't see it, or, you may have a single 30amp breaker, which is probably higher than the rating of the generator's output itself.
The rule is this:
whenever using 'morning' items, such as toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, hair dryers, the furnace, space heaters, etc.,,,,, turn off or unplug one or more of those items WHILE the microwave is running... the microwave only operates for a short time, so it's the least inconvenience, time considered.
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the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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12-23-2019, 07:26 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: Texas
Posts: 2,719
THOR #11781
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Same things happens to me on my 29M. MY BIL tells me it's rating is a 'peak' rating and it may actually run at a lower wattage. He also told me start with the highest rated load and add the lighter loads in descending order. He's an electrical engineer working in the nuclear power industry so I trust him. But it all seemed like to much to remember so I just turn stuff off to use the MW, usually one of the A/Cs.
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Lt Keefer
2018 Hurricane 29M
CHF, Saf-T-Plus, SumoSprings
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12-23-2019, 07:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam
cut...
The rule is this:
whenever using 'morning' items, such as toasters, coffee makers, microwaves, hair dryers, the furnace, space heaters, etc.,,,,, turn off or unplug one or more of those items WHILE the microwave is running... the microwave only operates for a short time, so it's the least inconvenience, time considered.
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This sounds about right. I religiously run my toaster and microwave in tandem with no problems. I'll give what you offer a try. If she can't keep up, I know where I stand and what I have to do.
Thanks and Happy Holidays.
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12-23-2019, 08:40 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
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"Boondocking on the way out here"....Where are you headed/at? Altitude can affect output as well.
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Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
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12-23-2019, 10:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Aria 3901
State: Idaho
Posts: 698
THOR #9660
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Is it also possible your water heater was on auto? If it was, add another 1440 watts. Just a thought.
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Vicki and Mike, Aria 3901- The Wined Up Bus, towing 16 Jeep JKUR.
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12-25-2019, 05:14 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lt Keefer
Same things happens to me on my 29M. MY BIL tells me it's rating is a 'peak' rating and it may actually run at a lower wattage. He also told me start with the highest rated load and add the lighter loads in descending order. He's an electrical engineer working in the nuclear power industry so I trust him. But it all seemed like to much to remember so I just turn stuff off to use the MW, usually one of the A/Cs.
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It took a while but I got it.
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12-25-2019, 05:15 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton
"Boondocking on the way out here"....Where are you headed/at? Altitude can affect output as well.
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Tucson. Merry Christmas. Hope you're well.
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12-25-2019, 01:27 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,360
THOR #7035
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Fridge adds another 400 watts.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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01-01-2020, 07:51 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Cruiser
Model: Georgetown 30x3
State: Idaho
Posts: 223
THOR #17441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Breeze
Nothing I had control over. No lights, TV, etc. Batteries? Maybe. Electric shaver was plugged in. Hardly counting that.
Honest, other than the things I have most no control over were shut off/down. You make a good point about the micro start up. Nothing failed until it went into a heat cycle. Food for thought.
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Also if your fridge is on auto and the electric switch is on for your hot water heater they will add to the initial load.
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01-02-2020, 06:32 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Ohio
Posts: 10
THOR #15963
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Breeze
Boondocking on the way out here, I ran my toaster - 750w, coffee maker - 650w and tried to run my microwave - 1500w, (950w output). I hit start on the mw and as soon as it kicked in, the generator stumbled and went out like a light.
If you add it all up, it's only 2850w. The Onan is supposed to support 4k. What am I missing?
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Make sure the oil is topped off. If the oil pressure drops the generator will shut itself down instead of seizing.
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01-02-2020, 06:38 PM
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#14
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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It could be just a matter of not running everything all at once. Make tge coffee first: it'll stay hot the longest. Then run the toaster, and then fire up the microwave...
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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01-03-2020, 08:05 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Washington
Posts: 179
THOR #10717
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there is a dial to adjust the air fuel mixture for altitude. Go open up your generator panel and adjust if you are at 3000 ft or 6000 ft.
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