Gennie shuts off during driving.

[Jlbmet82]

Hello all,

We have a 2018 ACE 30.4 (this is are first one ever, so sorry if it is a dumb question). but we were told we could have are Gennie run while going down the road so we could run the other 2 AC but it always shuts down after about 15 minutes. when we are parked it runs just fine. I seem to think that it is overheating while driving and thus shutting down. so the questions are this:

1. Can you run you genie while driving?

2. If so what could be causing it to overheat and how to remedy it?

Thanks

[ducksface]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Genn...obile&ie=UTF-8


Your thread title typed into a search engine.
Which of these have you elminated?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Jlbmet82

Hello all,

We have a 2018 ACE 30.4 (this is are first one ever, so sorry if it is a dumb question). but we were told we could have are Gennie run while going down the road so we could run the other 2 AC but it always shuts down after about 15 minutes. when we are parked it runs just fine. I seem to think that it is overheating while driving and thus shutting down. so the questions are this:

1. Can you run you genie while driving?

2. If so what could be causing it to overheat and how to remedy it?

Thanks

Yes, you can run it while driving.
Depending on the generator location it may be subject to picking up the heat from the engine and exhaust and overheat/vaporlock on heavy (2 A/Cs) load.
The Onan control panel has the capability of giving you a code for the reason it shut down. Check you generator owners manual on how to retrieve the code and what the code means.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Jlbmet82

Hello all,

We have a 2018 ACE 30.4 (this is are first one ever, so sorry if it is a dumb question). but we were told we could have are Gennie run while going down the road so we could run the other 2 AC but it always shuts down after about 15 minutes. when we are parked it runs just fine. I seem to think that it is overheating while driving and thus shutting down. so the questions are this:

1. Can you run you genie while driving? Yes, we do it all the time. Never had it shut off, two ACs on Onan 5500

2. If so what could be causing it to overheat and how to remedy it? When was it last serviced?

Thanks

I would start with the error code.

Do you have a AGS system? If so, does it tie to your thermostat to turn on/off automatically while you drive.

[Bob Nodine]

Originally Posted by Jlbmet82

Hello all,

We have a 2018 ACE 30.4 (this is are first one ever, so sorry if it is a dumb question). but we were told we could have are Gennie run while going down the road so we could run the other 2 AC but it always shuts down after about 15 minutes. when we are parked it runs just fine. I seem to think that it is overheating while driving and thus shutting down. so the questions are this:

1. Can you run you genie while driving?

2. If so what could be causing it to overheat and how to remedy it?

Thanks

For 20 years now we have been running the generator while traveling in the summertime to keep the coach cool. It was a must on the big diesel pusher we had because on a class A the windshield is like a solar heater form hell and then the big diesel under the bedroom in the back is heating the entire rear section of the coach. You don't have that big diesel in the back but you do have a big windshield that acts like a solar heater.

With the Class C we don't start out with the generator running like we did on the diesel pusher but make sure the thermostats are set so if we decide to turn on the generator while moving they will cool the coach. The dash AC on our Class C will cool the front half of the coach unless the outside temps are in the high 90's. We often found that we could wait until we stopped for lunch to start the generator and run the AC's on the Class C.

Just so you know, the worst thing you can do to your generator is not use it. If you have a gasoline generator you must exercise it at least once a month. This is best done with a decent load on the generator like the air conditioners. If the generator has a load the windings will heat up and drive moisture out of the windings and the generator.

[Aaron11]

It’s totally normal to run the generator while driving. It sounds like it might be overheating due to the engine's heat check the error code on the Onan control panel, and make sure your generator has been serviced recently.

[ghnl]

We have an ACE 30.1 and have run the generator while driving.

If it indeed is overheating while driving you may want to consider adding a vent in the door so it can draw slightly cooler air.

[Jimbo56]

Our Onan 4000 is very finicky about oil level. 1/2 cup too much. Or too little and it won’t run while driving as the oil sloshes around. I also read that some Onan generators were shipped with an incorrect dip stick. I also read about a lot of fuel pump issues.

[ericmac450]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

Our Onan 4000 is very finicky about oil level. 1/2 cup too much. Or too little and it won’t run while driving as the oil sloshes around. I also read that some Onan generators were shipped with an incorrect dip stick. I also read about a lot of fuel pump issues.

I also recommend checking the oil levels.

[ProsperTrail]

For the first year and a half with our 2015 Hurricane we ran the generator on the road to run our A/C.

But it would shut down on hot days or whne highway traffic slowed down to a crawl.

After installing a remote thermometer next to the generator we confirm that the temperature was reaching 120 degrees outside the generator, which will shut down the gas pump.

We installed a heat barrier formed from aluminum 16 gauge sheet ( homedepot) to cut down the heat coming from the exhaust.

It also didn't help I drive over 65 all the time on the interstate.

Neither Thor, nor Onan offered could pin point why the generator would shut down.

At some point I did chnage the fuel pump because it was running hot just parked.

Trouble code on our generator was 3 6 which simply means the generator stopped without being told to do so.

Hope some of these above helps you troubleshoot your generator.

[RKTMN]

Depending on temps my Onan shuts down after 10-50 minutes. I have experimented enough to believe it’s an overheating issue. My question to you all is:
“Is there any reason NOT to remove the Onan genny cover? There is an unvented bay door providing external coverage”. Roughly 85% of our usage is while driving. One concern, of course, would be exposure to water while driving in the rain. I’m also a little concerned that the bay door may not be able to handle the heat put out by the genny. That bay door has no special heat mitigation on/in it. All intelligent thoughts welcome!
Thx

[ghnl]

Originally Posted by RKTMN

“Is there any reason NOT to remove the Onan genny cover?

All intelligent thoughts welcome!

Dang, I was about to reply...

Well, Onan advises against running the generator with the cover removed.

I added a vent in the generator compartment door so it can get (cooler?) air from outside instead of (warmer?) air from under the RV/off the pavement. But our generator ran OK before I did that.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by RKTMN

Depending on temps my Onan shuts down after 10-50 minutes. I have experimented enough to believe it’s an overheating issue. My question to you all is:
“Is there any reason NOT to remove the Onan genny cover? There is an unvented bay door providing external coverage”. Roughly 85% of our usage is while driving. One concern, of course, would be exposure to water while driving in the rain. I’m also a little concerned that the bay door may not be able to handle the heat put out by the genny. That bay door has no special heat mitigation on/in it. All intelligent thoughts welcome!
Thx

I need to check with Administrators because I thought as a Public forum we all were welcomed to reply? But until they confirm I will squeeze my thoughts in with an asterisks

I agree with above as my manual says the same thing. I am even quick to put my cover back when I start it after a simple oil change. Further, I would not do any modifications unless Onan & TMC signs off on it.

What I would do is find the problem to somehow fix. There is a finite list of issues that can causes an Onan genny to overheat. I would find the problem and mitigate it. i.e. it could be some issue with the engine exhaust, but if it were, TMC and likely Onan would likely already know about it for your model.

Pictures of your setup, capturing actual temperatures around the Onan when running, and Googling such as below watching videos is where I would start. Heck you might even search How to fix "Overheated your ..... "enter your exact year model number" Onan generator and get lucky.

https://www.google.com/search?q=caus...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I need to check with Administrators because I thought as a Public forum we all were welcomed to reply? But until they confirm I will squeeze my thoughts in with an asterisks

I agree with above as my manual says the same thing. I am even quick to put my cover back when I start it after a simple oil change. Further, I would not do any modifications unless Onan & TMC signs off on it.

What I would do is find the problem to somehow fix. There is a finite list of issues that can causes an Onan genny to overheat. I would find the problem and mitigate it. i.e. it could be some issue with the engine exhaust, but if it were, TMC and likely Onan would likely already know about it for your model.

Pictures of your setup, capturing actual temperatures around the Onan when running, and Googling such as below watching videos is where I would start. Heck you might even search How to fix "Overheated your ..... "enter your exact year model number" Onan generator and get lucky.

https://www.google.com/search?q=caus...hrome&ie=UTF-8

As evidenced by many posts in threads around the Forum, all answers all allowed, intelligent or not.

[RKTMN]

That’s some good, dare I say intelligent, feedback.
Thank you folks!
And my apologies if I seemed intelligent-ist ��

[LoveJehova]

yes you can run the generator while underway,. i believe you should do so.
it may not be overheating. does it stop when you go around a bend? sudden acceleration or stop? what fuel level do you normally have in the tank when this is going on?
does it happen when coach is in motion or will it do it when stopped and main engine running. we just fixed one that had been in the field for two years. broken pick up on top of the fuel tank and wrong fuel fill cap on the coach... while testing for these answers be wary of carbon monoxide.

[RKTMN]

Just an FYI update for y’all…
We had a tech guy out the other day for different issues and he seemed exceptionally competent in my experience. He informed me that leaving the cover off is pretty much a no no even though it worked for me.
I’ll update again once I see Onan for info…
And with reference to LoveJehova, in my case I’ve experimented with all of those scenarios. The only common denominator I’ve found is ambient temperatures.
I’m suspecting it’s the genny fuel pump overheating since it does add if it’s fuel starved, not like it was shut off by “a switch”..,
Thx all

[LoveJehova]

dear all
the enclosure door is part of the cooling system. it is carefully thought out to cause air to flow where it needs to.
Please be careful with this

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by RKTMN

Just an FYI update for y’all…
We had a tech guy out the other day for different issues and he seemed exceptionally competent in my experience. He informed me that leaving the cover off is pretty much a no no even though it worked for me.
I’ll update again once I see Onan for info…
And with reference to LoveJehova, in my case I’ve experimented with all of those scenarios. The only common denominator I’ve found is ambient temperatures.
I’m suspecting it’s the genny fuel pump overheating since it does add if it’s fuel starved, not like it was shut off by “a switch”..,
Thx all

Originally Posted by LoveJehova

dear all
the enclosure door is part of the cooling system. it is carefully thought out to cause air to flow where it needs to.
Please be careful with this

You have to define:
Cover
Enclosure Door

The MH door that gives you access to the generator is not an issue if you remove it or install a vent in it.

It's the green cover that is actually part of the generator shroud that has to be in place for proper cooling.

[LoveJehova]

The service access door is what we call it.
If its not there, the cooling air has the chance to exit before its forced to make its way across the exhaust.
If leaving it off works for you, okay. All the best.