| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Generator breaker keeps shutting off immediately
While I agree 170VAC is too high, I don't see why that would be tripping a over current device like a breaker. If all down stream loads are off and its tripping there must be a short between that generator breaker and the main breaker of the 120VAC distribution panel. Start tracing wires and opening junction boxes.
Odd the 170V as that is the peak voltage of 120VAC. Is your meter a good one or a cheap harbor freight one?
|
KMLsquared
|
02/18/21 11:58am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Electrical question
You need some time delay relays. There are delay on and delay off types all programable.
|
KMLsquared
|
02/17/21 01:57pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Using RV generator as backup for house?
I do it all the time. My older toy hauler does not have an automatic transfer switch, it has a outlet in a compartment that I plug my shore power plug in. I installed a 30 amp 240VAC twist lock inlet on the side of my house and ran wires to a 30 amp breaker in my distribution panel. I installed a UL approved interlock kit that wont let me close the generator breaker unless the main breaker is open. I made up a 10 ga. extension cord that has an rv 30 amp male plug on one end and the 30 am 240vac twist lock on the other. I connected the hot terminals together to power up both sides of my panel. I cannot use the electric stove or oven as I only have 120VAC from the generator.
|
KMLsquared
|
02/17/21 08:59am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Battery Meter
I have installed a BM2 from ebay. No local display but it is bluetooth to your phone. You can check you voltage from bed and it has data logging that allows you to see your voltage on a graph.
This past weekend I knew from bed that my batteries had died at 3 am for some reason. That reason turned out to be low water.
|
KMLsquared
|
02/09/21 01:59pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
|
|
RE: Basic Question About AC Power Wiring
Status report:
Since the problem is transitory, it’s going to take a long time to test. I got that plug in voltmeter from up thread. I also got a new multimeter for testing.
I tightened every single connection everywhere throughout the power system.
Immediately on startup of the generator for fine tuning, I saw 70 volts on the plug in meter as it cycled on and off about once a second.
No appliances at all were on except he battery charger, which is tiny and a default.
While it was cycling and not harming anything I checked some connections. Once the issue went away, I finally did what I had set out to do which was to adjust the generator speed to get perfect power. It was at 108 which is a little low. The frequency also was low. I moved it around but and ended up at 120v and 58.5Hz, under the load of the electric hot water heater. Good power. I couldn’t get exactly 60Hz without going above 120v so I stayed at those figures.
I haven’t seen the issue again yet, but have only used the microwave very briefly. It hasn’t been air conditioning weather in Florida lately. Ha ha.
I’ll update with new info in case anyone else has a problem like this.
FYI: I have a similar plug in meter and it always reads 105 when the gen is heavily loaded. I checked with a good meter and found that the voltage was really 110. Its a good idea to verify the meter is accurate.
|
KMLsquared
|
02/04/21 07:28am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Firman Generator
FYI: My buddy just bought a firman from costco. The first one had cracked plastic on each end of the lifting handle. He returned it and they sent a new one. It too had tiny cracks starting to form near the handle again. Then when started and broken in, it is not running smoothly. Surging under light to no-load conditions. We are gonna use it this weekend and if it doesn't smooth out its going back again.
Edit: this is the 3200/2900 dual fuel model.
|
KMLsquared
|
02/01/21 10:14am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Onan surging/backfiring. Brand new fuel pump/filter/carb
Any chance your fuel tank had some water in it? If that water made it to the fuel bowl that would kill the engine. Then if the fuel bowl was not cleaned out the water would taint what ever tests were done with auxiliary fuel supplies. This just happened to my riding mower.
|
KMLsquared
|
01/28/21 10:35am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
That fuel solenoid will stick closed not allowing fuel to enter the main jet. The reason it runs briefly is because the automatic choke is on enrichening the fuel air mixture, compensating for the lack of fuel going thru the main jet. Any water in the float bowl sits on the bottom and in that solenoid causing corrosion in a short time. I just fixed an Onan with the same issue.
When I disassembled the carb and manually moved the solenoid plunger it moved without restriction.
If I bypass the solenoid will the engine start as long as I use the jumper?
No, the only way to "bypass" it would be to take plunger out of it. The spring keeps it closed until power is applied to it. If you apply 12VDC to it on the bench you should be able to test it.
Did you make sure the holes in the brass piece were free and clear?
|
KMLsquared
|
01/19/21 09:39am |
Class C Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Help! Onan 4K generator refuses to start and stay on
That fuel solenoid will stick closed not allowing fuel to enter the main jet. The reason it runs briefly is because the automatic choke is on enrichening the fuel air mixture, compensating for the lack of fuel going thru the main jet. Any water in the float bowl sits on the bottom and in that solenoid causing corrosion in a short time. I just fixed an Onan with the same issue.
|
KMLsquared
|
01/19/21 08:25am |
Class C Motorhomes
|
 |
RE: Shore power plug conversion?
The only thing walmart could do for me was refund my 14 dollars. But I did get to keep the masks.
|
KMLsquared
|
01/11/21 10:10am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Shore power plug conversion?
Sprey, you did get cords?
|
KMLsquared
|
01/10/21 09:32am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Shore power plug conversion?
I got my package from Sam’s nail supply and it was masks. Not the cord I was hoping for. Curious to see what you guys got.
|
KMLsquared
|
01/08/21 11:13pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Shore power plug conversion?
I just bought one too! For that price I'll cut the ends off and put my own on!
|
KMLsquared
|
01/05/21 01:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Dump Station Observations
I work at a waste water treatment plant and my office window looks out towards the dump station. I must admit its pretty entertaining. Most people that come in here seemingly have never dumped there tanks before.
|
KMLsquared
|
12/03/20 08:30am |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: E rated tire with max psi of 65?
I have general tires Grabber AT on my truck in a 315/75-16 and they are an "E" rated tire at 65 PSI. I too was concerned but trusted their engineers and they have been fine. IF I still had a truck camper I would not have gotten them but the Fifth-wheel tows fine with them.
|
KMLsquared
|
12/03/20 08:18am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: What's a good battery level monitor?
I use a $30 dollar Bluetooth unit from eBay. BM2 is the model. It has no display and must be viewed on a phone. The best part is I can check my battery voltage without getting out of bed. It stores up to 30 days of data that gets downloaded to the phone when within range. provides really nice graphs as well.
BM 2
I cant get the clicky to look right.
|
KMLsquared
|
11/20/20 07:33am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Which Way from Napa to Quartzite?
We race in Las Vegas and routinely take 80 over to 95 in Nevada. No silly trailer speed limits in Nevada and better roads.
|
KMLsquared
|
11/18/20 09:46am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Books for first time RV owners?
Thank you all for the responses!
I guess I should have stated that I will absolutely be a mentor/helper as our families are very close. And YouTube is of course a great help for all things in this world nowadays.
I was really hoping to them a book as a kind of "housewarming" present that they could thumb through at their leisure and keep in the trailer for situations that may arise.
I will check out the suggested titles.
On edit: I have already direct them to this website of course. Most of my knowledge is all from here anyway!
|
KMLsquared
|
10/29/20 07:29am |
Beginning RVing
|
|
Books for first time RV owners?
Good friends of ours just purchased their first travel trailer. They are total newbies, only tent camped their entire lives. They have two young children. I want to get them a book that covers the basics of owning and using and RV. They are not at all mechanically or electrically inclined. I also don't want to scare them with sky is falling type stuff.
Anybody have any recommendations?
P.S. I did search but did not turn anything up.
|
KMLsquared
|
10/28/20 12:01pm |
Beginning RVing
|
|
RE: Stripping down a rotten camper
Tow it to the dump first. Unhitch.
Push it over onto its side. Cut all the bolts holding the floor to the frame outriggers.
Cut away any wiring, gas lines water lines, tanks etc that are attached to the frame.
Pull the frame off the rotten hulk and tip it back onto its wheels.
Hook it back up drive away!
No fuss, no long cleanup mess, fast and easy. You don't have to bother with a huge pile of work taking it all apart. Just leave it at the dump in one big chunk. They have big machines to bust it up and squish it!
You'll have to prefab some temporary tail lights to legally get it home.
When I was about 20 I bought a bare TT frame from a friend who rolled it. He stripped what was left of it. Think i paid 20 or 25 bucks for it.
I made a flat deck trailer out of the frame. It was super simple. You don't want to try reusing the old bare floor for a flat deck. It's likely all rotten anyways.
What I did was bought a bunch of 8 foot 2X6's and a bag of carriage bolts, lockwashers and nuts. I started at the back, put on the first board, drilled down from the top through the 2X6 and the main frame rail on each side, and ran the carriage bolts down from the top, did the washers and nuts underneath. Repeat until you reach the front. I cut around the wheels to suit.
When I was done I had a marvelous little utility flat deck trailer that I hauled all kinds of things on, including small cars. I put a hitch on my 72 MG Midget and towed it with that. I rigged up proper lights for it and tapped into the MG wiring. I put four holes in the deck with chain ties to the frame for holding stuff in place.
I used that trailer for everything. Moving myself and friends, transporting engines and transmissions, hauling firewood etc.
I towed lots of small cars with it, including my father's broken down Mazda GLC from Cranbrook to Penticton BC. No trailer brakes.....
I lived! Yes, I towed cars on it with a dinky little MG Midget.
:)
This Is how I did mine. But it was at a ranch with a skidloader. then we crushed up the body and loaded it on another trailer and hauled it to the dump.
|
KMLsquared
|
10/20/20 08:31am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
|
