Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-23-2017, 03:34 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Virginia
Posts: 315
THOR #7607
Onan Generator starting

I know about the priming step ( pressing the stop button until red LED comes on...and maybe a few extra seconds) but when I do press the start button it seems to take a lot of revs before it begins to run on its own. Most things in the modern day crank immediately. Is this common to most generators on MHs today?

__________________
ComputerChips
ComputerChips is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 03:37 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
airforceret's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 26B
State: Indiana
Posts: 387
THOR #6414
My routine is pretty much

-prime till it lights
-start button for 3 or 4 secs
-if no start
-prime a second time
-so far it consistently starts within another 3 or 4 secs
__________________
Roger, Dawn, and Roxie
airforceret is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 03:46 PM   #3
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerChips
Most things in the modern day crank immediately. Is this common to most generators on MHs today?
Yes: Most modern things these days are fuel injected. The Onan gennys are carbureted.
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 04:08 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Virginia
Posts: 315
THOR #7607
Point made! That's why it sounds like I'm cranking a model T.
__________________
ComputerChips
ComputerChips is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 04:43 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Travelin' Texans's Avatar
 
Brand: Redwood
Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
Posts: 1,766
THOR #3610
After sitting for long periods it also take a while for fresh propane to fill the lines, if it's a propane genny.
__________________
Fulltimed 10+ years
Sold '13 Thor Redwood 36 FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
Travelin' Texans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 04:59 PM   #6
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,129
THOR #7035
Holding the STOP button until the light comes on just means it has started priming. The Onan manual says you may have to hold the button with the light on for up to 45 seconds.
__________________
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 08:37 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Does this priming work with the inside panel switch or just the one on the gender itself?
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 09:18 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Spell check!...obviously I meant "genset"
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-23-2017, 10:21 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
You should be able to hold the switch in the stop position to prime on any switch. Once you press stop in takes a couple of seconds to start priming. I've found that holding the switch about 10-15 seconds and then pressing start is plenty, starts right up.
__________________
SuperD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2017, 02:52 AM   #10
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Texas
Posts: 54
THOR #4119
Onan Generator starting

ComputerChips,

I read in one of these threads a recommendation that I tried. Hold the generator switch in the prime position until the red light comes on and continue holding the switch down for 15 seconds. I bet it starts on the second try. I was afraid of flooding the generator but that never happened. It's worth a try.

machlin
__________________
machlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-24-2017, 12:36 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,183
THOR #908
I've found that if it hasn't run in a long while, I'll prime for more like 35-45 seconds. If it has run previously in the day 10 seconds or so is enough. If it has run just a few minutes ago I can start without priming
__________________
blw2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 01:06 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27K
State: Kentucky
Posts: 881
THOR #2817
It's the same situation with my Onan generator. It seems odd, because many engines with a carburetor start much faster than these Onan generator engines. I wonder if the difference is because when we turn off the generator, the engine is running at 3,700 RPMs and it takes a few seconds for it to stop spinning after the stop switch has been pressed. Could there be a fuel interrupt at shut down, and therefore it requires more time for the engine to be supplied with enough fuel for it to start?
__________________
Metalman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 03:34 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Virginia
Posts: 315
THOR #7607
I guess I ought to be thanking God it starts without me yanking on a rope!😏
__________________
ComputerChips
ComputerChips is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 10:46 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
State: Indiana
Posts: 3,692
THOR #5196
Quote:
Originally Posted by ComputerChips View Post
I guess I ought to be thanking God it starts without me yanking on a rope!😏
Amen to that!!!
__________________
SuperD is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 07:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2