Ok ..as were talking Onans this week

boybach

boybach

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2020
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My gen set runs just dandy, I'm happy to say I have easy starts and she doesn't miss a beat. It didn't always behave so well, but it does now, and as
ignorance was bliss I thought all was well ...UNTIL ...just as winter was setting in, my pal Colin brought over a little plug-in digital voltmeter.
This little device showed displays the output and it turns out things are a bit too enthusiastic, getting up in the high 130's 8o ....so as it's
beginning to warm up a little bit weatherwise, I'd like to get her to kick back to something closer to 120v or so. What's the best way to do that
guys?

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
 
Slow down the engine.

> My gen set runs just dandy, I'm happy to say I have easy starts and she
> doesn't miss a beat. It didn't always behave so well, but it does now, and
> as
> ignorance was bliss I thought all was well ...UNTIL ...just as winter was
> setting in, my pal Colin brought over a little plug-in digital voltmeter.
> This little device showed displays the output and it turns out things are
> a bit too enthusiastic, getting up in the high 130's 8o ....so as it's
> beginning to warm up a little bit weatherwise, I'd like to get her to kick
> back to something closer to 120v or so. What's the best way to do that
> guys?
>
> Larry
> --
> Larry - Victoria BC -
>
> 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working
> but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
> exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat
> exchange hoses
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>

--
Jim Kanomata ASE
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Before you do too much, put a good steady load, like an air conditioner, on
the Onan and then read the voltage. If it goes down to the 121-122 range, I
wouldn't mess with it. If it stays 130, then you need to slow it down a bit
under load.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

> Slow down the engine.
>

>
> > My gen set runs just dandy, I'm happy to say I have easy starts and she
> > doesn't miss a beat. It didn't always behave so well, but it does now,
> and
> > as
> > ignorance was bliss I thought all was well ...UNTIL ...just as winter
> was
> > setting in, my pal Colin brought over a little plug-in digital voltmeter.
> > This little device showed displays the output and it turns out things are
> > a bit too enthusiastic, getting up in the high 130's 8o ....so as it's
> > beginning to warm up a little bit weatherwise, I'd like to get her to
> kick
> > back to something closer to 120v or so. What's the best way to do that
> > guys?
> >
> > Larry
> > --
> > Larry - Victoria BC -
> >
> > 1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working
> > but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
> > exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat
> > exchange hoses
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> >
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata ASE
> Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
> jimk
> http://www.gmcrvparts.com
> 1-800-752-7502
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>
 
Thanks guys, it's in the HIGH 130's (more like 140v) ..so yes, I do have to slow down the engine I guess!

Larry
--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
 
There is a jam nut on the eyebolt type device that pulls on the governor spring. It’s right on top when you open the drawer. However, unless someone
has messed with it, why has it changed? The rod ends on the governor should be lubricated and the throttle checked for easy movement with no
squeaking or binding. Duane recommended engine oil but I prefer a Zoom spout oiler as very light. Others in the know prefer a graphite based lube to
not attract dirt. After this lubrication check Voltage and proceed to adjust if needed. Most go for 125-127VAC no load then check with load.
Hopefully stable at 123 or so not lower with 2 ACs running.
If there is too much hunting or not enough governor correction, the sensitivity of the governor can be adjusted, but report back first.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
Larry,
The Onan service manual (download) has a great section on adjusting the carburetor and governor if the voltage is too high or too low. It is helpful
to have a meter that measures frequency in Hz when adjusting. My onan is a different model but my onan manual shows a maximum no-load voltage of 132
volts, and a minimum full-load voltage of 112 volts. The manual has step by step instructions to help you set it correctly.

Russell
--
Russell Keith,
1978 E2 "Harry" 403 (still carbureted), Danny Dunn Tranny, Thorley, Stock Brakes w/Remote Vacuum Brake Booster, Quad Bags, Dakota Digital Dash, 6.5 kW
Onan, Dunedin, Florida
 
> There is a jam nut on the eyebolt type device that pulls on the governor spring. It’s right on top when you open the drawer. However, unless
> someone has messed with it, why has it changed?

Well I didn't mess with it! - When I got the coach, 1 year ago this month, the genny ran after a fashion - but had no working choke and had to be
manually choked to get it going. The o-ring on air bleed screw on the carb was chewed so she leaked fuel there and the starter stuck along with a
bunch of very weird wire routing/crimps and a duff solenoid. Fixed it all so the unit starts and runs fine, just a bit fast then I guess. Maybe the
air bleed screw can be adjusted to bring down the speed?

Larry

--
Larry - Victoria BC -

1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS
exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
 
Larry,

Sorry I am so late here, I have been busy and the day isn't done.

Look around and see if you can buy a Kill-A-Watt device/meter/whatever.....

It can report all kinds of things, but frequency and voltage are what you want today and this can be plugged in and it will report either (well, both
but only one at a time).

I use that and an extension cord all the time when I am messing with any generators.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
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