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Generator will not shut off
This is not an emergency, but we could really use help tonight if anyone is on. Our coach has been on shore power for a week. We unplugged it and the generator would not start. Interestingly after tinkering around for a few minutes it started. We moved the bus across our property and the generator would not shut off (after 10 minutes of running). After we turned the switch off it ran for 10 minutes then finally shut down. Our auto run feature is turned off. So, could someone please tell me if there is a minimum run time after it is turned. We have had some glitch situations on getting the generator to transfer to shore power and vice versa. We are hoping any answer provided will provide insight into us being able to understand our coach better. Thanks in advance, you guys are awesome.
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10 Replies
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I am not sure how your generator is powered, but on ones I am familiar with there is a solenoid that will shut off fuel flow when power is removed, such as by telling the generator to shut down.
If you have a Kubota powered generator it has a rubber boot over a rod that pulls or pushes on a valve to open or close fuel flow. If it is not exercised often it gets lazy and doesn’t move freely. If you see it you can apply a little pressure on the rod when you shut down the generator and the rod will retract and shut down the generator. Easier to show you than explain.
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Thanks for the reply Jon. I am familiar with the fuel shutoff solenoid and their tendencies toward laziness! I did not use it to shut down the gen but I did check it for free movement to both positions while trying to get it started .
It is interesting at times that the gen will start immediately when actuating the switch above the driver’s seat and other times even though the blue light illuminates, it can take up to 5 min. Same with shutdown; it sometimes will shutoff immediately, other times like last night it ran more than 10 min after the switch was shutoff which can be a nuisance when your neighbors are close and asleep! Also, the generator master switch in the 2nd bay has no effect on the operation as far as I can tell as I have run through these scenarios with it on and off. So should I run that switch on or off?
Thanks for everyone’s help and patience as we get to know our quirky new to us coach!
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John, does your coach have the Liberty “Watch dog” system?
Second driver’s side bay mounted on the wall adjacent to the radiator.
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It appears yes. Its mounted on the back wall of left bay 2 and only has a double pole “shore power breaker” on it, nothing else.
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I suspect since these issues of delayed starting and stopping are quite random, that they are a result of the watchdog system. I have never seen specific info on all the operational parameters that cause these restrictions, haven’t experienced them enough to work out details, and learn more everyday so I guess I will just deal with them since they eventually respond to what I am asking for.
We have worked out quite a few bugs and are down to the Webasto system and how to TS it!
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John,
Some stuff on our coaches just needs to be exercised. I don’t know if it applies to your generator issue specifically, but regular use seems in my experience to be a way to avoid the gremlins that show up out of nowhere. On a previous coach I had a generator that was lazy at starting if it sat without being run for a while so we do have issues lack of use seems to create.
The Watchdog however has proven reliable in my experience and the only issues I have ever had with it relate to it tripping out once or twice. If it does that the fix was as easy as pressing the tiny reset button on the bottom of the box.
The Webasto is a perfect example of how lack of use can prove to be a problem. I am not as intimate with the Webasto as our fellow member Rudy Leggitt but consider him a resource for the best technical information and advice on the Webasto. If you see a post of his, use his email address to keep available to you should you ever need help.
He will tell you the Webasto needs to be exercised at least once a month or the injector nozzle is going to get plugged. It is an easy fix. Another common issue is the photo sensor needs to be cleaned with a Q tip and a little alcohol. Another potential maintenance item is to readjust the electrodes so you can get the correct gap for the spark.
From memory I also recall that Webasto had an upgrade to the fuel pump many moons ago and your version may or may not have had that change made.
Hang in there. Sounds like you are making progress.
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Thanks for the info Jon! We have Webasto heat after driving but nothing when we are on shore power. I intend to track down the valves and start there this weekend I have been traveling for work for a few weeks but with the Independence Day long weekend, I plan on getting it figured out!
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You have webasto heat while driving because it is coming from hot engine coolant. The Webasto won’t fire if the coolant is above 160 or so.
If you call for webasto heat when on shore power and the coolant system is cold you shouild first hear the webasto fan engage. Not the aux radiator fans, but the fan inside the webasto unit. After a short period of time you should hear the fuel ignite. There is no mistaking that sound because it is a muffled “whoooomph” and then you can hear it as it burns fuel.
Once coolant running through it reaches 160 just the burner shuts down until coolant temp drops and the fuel fires up again.
The circulating pump runs continuously so when you call for webasto heat you have clues the system is powered, so the only next steps are to determine if it is igniting the burner. Since you had heat when the coach was running from the webasto (your did didn’t you?) likely the valves are open, but if not they are easily checked. Even if they were closed you should have heard the webasto fire up.
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I only have a Webasto switch on the dash at the drivers compartment left side
and a breaker in the main panel labeled “water heater”
When the breaker is on and with the switch on the dash in either position, I don’t get hot water within 2 hours. I do get hot water from engine circulation with the dash switch in either position.
I felt like there should have been a switch in another location other than the driver’s seat but with the dash switch in either position I can’t hear a thing or get hot water in 2 hours on shore power.
Incidentally though, when the rocker switch is placed in the on position I do get some interior light dimming like something electrical should be happening if that makes sense
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John, Two separate and unrelated issues. We should get together sometime.
Part of what we can do is help you understand the coach, the other part to quickly figure out if we are dealing with operator error or a malfunct (that is a technical term).
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