Generators in General

[Headhunter]

I think almost most coaches have an Onan Brand Generator. I have an 8000 in my motor home.

Getting ready for a 4 day boondocking trip I was playing around with my generator. When started it revs to a normal sound. Then if there is no load on it it seems to power down to lower rev sound. And sometimes when I was running it for a long time it kicks the breaker on the generator itself that I have to reset.

I guess my question is, is this normal? I only have 200 hrs on the generator.

 

[Boat Bum]

I think you mean Onan? In general, my portable gennies all do that, surge at first and then settle until a load is applied. I too have an Onan, however, I'm usually in the coach when I start it so I haven't noticed, I'll see if I can.

The stalling could be an adjustment, are you letting it just idle until it stalls? Applying a load would kick up the rpms. I'm speculating here.

 

[Headhunter]

I think you mean Onan? In general, my portable gennies all do that, surge at first and then settle until a load is applied. I too have an Onan, however, I'm usually in the coach when I start it so I haven't noticed, I'll see if I can.

The stalling could be an adjustment, are you letting it just idle until it stalls? Applying a load would kick up the rpms. I'm speculating here.

It never really stalls. When the breaker kicks sometimes it is still running. I just reset it to get full power back. Maybe I overloaded the system some how.

HH

 

[Boat Bum]

Perhaps it's the breaker?

 

[DennisT]

Breakers do wear out after a while.

We had one go in our old coach for the refrigerator. Looked like it was resetting and did for a bit but tripped still looking closed. New breaker solved that issue.

I’d start there, should not be too hard or expensive.

 

[redbaron]

Replacing the breaker is a normal thing. The heat, exposed elements make for a shortened life.