Firstly, the two cannot be related. There is no common circuitry between the
engine controls and the AC generator side of the unit. The remote control
problem is most likely in one of two places: The white molex connector that
connects the genset control board to the harness, or due to a cracked solder
joint or bad connector on the board itself. I suggest that you separate the
connector, have a look, and then put it back together. The mere act of
replugging the connector may be enough to clear the problem, if it is the
connector.
As far as the A/C output problem, there are a couple of possibilities, although
some are remote. If you last shut the unit down while it was under load, it
may have caused the bridge rectifier in the generator to fail, and result in
not output. If you have some output, but not much current, I have seen the
circuit breaker on the top of the generator itself fail (I assume that you
checked to make sure that it was not tripped). You may also have lost the
residual magnetic field in the generator which allows it to self excite, but
this would be exceptionally rare unless the unit has been disassembled.
As far as checking the voltage on the unit, you need to open the box which
contains the breaker on the generator and connect your voltmeter there. This
will put you directly across the gerneator proper, and if you can see voltage,
then check back first through the breaker, then the plug and outlet in the
electrical cord bay, and lastly to the fuse panel. I am assuming correctly
that everything is OK when you plug the cable into shore power, right?
If the problem is the bridge rectifier, I think that these can still be had
from Onan, or there are some alternative parts that are available, although
they require a bit of alteration to the genset connector. The bridge is just
inside the dust covers on the generator housing, and is something that you
can change yourself even if you are only a bit mechanically inclined.
If I can be of any additional help, please contact me directly and I will
do what I can. I have pretty much rebuilt the controls on my 6K over the
years, and am quite familiar with the units.
- - Tim
> I tried to use my 6K Onan today and ran up against two problems. First, it
> won't start from the remote switch, but it does start at the set. It will
> shut off from the remote though and the engine runs well. Secondly, and the
> bigger problem, is that there is no power in the coach, or almost none. I
> couldn't even light a
> 60 watt bulb. At an outlet, I measure about 6 volts AC and about the same at
> the main breaker. Can the two be related? Where can I check voltage at the
> generator? Any ideas on how to trace out the problem? All help will be
> appreciated. Thanks
>
> Andy M PA
> 77 PB
>
- --
================================================================================
Tim Dawson (tadawson) Owner/Engineer
TPC Services Bellnet: (972)-221-7385
Lewisville, Texas 75067 FAXnet: (972)-221-0393
"The world is complex. Sendmail.cf reflects this...."
engine controls and the AC generator side of the unit. The remote control
problem is most likely in one of two places: The white molex connector that
connects the genset control board to the harness, or due to a cracked solder
joint or bad connector on the board itself. I suggest that you separate the
connector, have a look, and then put it back together. The mere act of
replugging the connector may be enough to clear the problem, if it is the
connector.
As far as the A/C output problem, there are a couple of possibilities, although
some are remote. If you last shut the unit down while it was under load, it
may have caused the bridge rectifier in the generator to fail, and result in
not output. If you have some output, but not much current, I have seen the
circuit breaker on the top of the generator itself fail (I assume that you
checked to make sure that it was not tripped). You may also have lost the
residual magnetic field in the generator which allows it to self excite, but
this would be exceptionally rare unless the unit has been disassembled.
As far as checking the voltage on the unit, you need to open the box which
contains the breaker on the generator and connect your voltmeter there. This
will put you directly across the gerneator proper, and if you can see voltage,
then check back first through the breaker, then the plug and outlet in the
electrical cord bay, and lastly to the fuse panel. I am assuming correctly
that everything is OK when you plug the cable into shore power, right?
If the problem is the bridge rectifier, I think that these can still be had
from Onan, or there are some alternative parts that are available, although
they require a bit of alteration to the genset connector. The bridge is just
inside the dust covers on the generator housing, and is something that you
can change yourself even if you are only a bit mechanically inclined.
If I can be of any additional help, please contact me directly and I will
do what I can. I have pretty much rebuilt the controls on my 6K over the
years, and am quite familiar with the units.
- - Tim
> I tried to use my 6K Onan today and ran up against two problems. First, it
> won't start from the remote switch, but it does start at the set. It will
> shut off from the remote though and the engine runs well. Secondly, and the
> bigger problem, is that there is no power in the coach, or almost none. I
> couldn't even light a
> 60 watt bulb. At an outlet, I measure about 6 volts AC and about the same at
> the main breaker. Can the two be related? Where can I check voltage at the
> generator? Any ideas on how to trace out the problem? All help will be
> appreciated. Thanks
>
> Andy M PA
> 77 PB
>
- --
================================================================================
Tim Dawson (tadawson) Owner/Engineer
TPC Services Bellnet: (972)-221-7385
Lewisville, Texas 75067 FAXnet: (972)-221-0393
"The world is complex. Sendmail.cf reflects this...."
