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Generator requires double start
Our Marathon generator requires two starts. First time it fires up but dies as soon as the starter is disengaged. Second time it keeps running. Oil pressure once running is good both hot and cold, under load or idle. So I don’t think it is excessive bearing wear (1800 hours).
The Marathon tech that helped me check out the coach before I bought it was not concerned, said he sees that often on these generators. His explanation was that the emergency shutdown system does not delay enough before it starts monitoring the oil pressure. I have not seen this with other generators. Has anybody seen this behavior? Any simple fixes?
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11 Replies
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At times our generator would require 2 starts. Have learned over the years to hold the start button for about 5-7 seconds after it starts and the generator will always stay running. Of course this is a Royale.
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I have a Kubota and it will occassionally do the same thing. “Have learned over the years to hold the start button for about 5-7 seconds after it starts and the generator will always stay running.” This practice that Larry uses seems to work well for me also.
Just let it crank a little more before you lift up from the starter button.
BCO
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Mine doesn’t start real quick and sometimes takes two tries. I think I have a fuel check valve issue, but haven’t checked it out. Yours could be fuel related as well.
I need to find a way to prime mine by putting power to the fuel pump before trying to start. Some brain surgeon disabled the pre-heat which I assume was nothing more than priming the pump.
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I had the shutdown happen on our generator in the Country Coach. That unit was a 12.5 KW Onan. Every once in a while and just restarted it.
At 1800 hrs. you have a long way to go for bearing replacement. Keep in mind they are built to run.
Got caught in Texoma where the electric panels just scared me a little. Fired up the generator turning off 71 striaght hours later. It’s a Marathon…LOL
On the Country Coach I had no idea why I hesitated running the generator at times. When sold 670 hours.
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I used to start my generator like any other engine, when I heard it start I would let go of the switch and then most of the time, it would die. Then I had talked to the maker of my generator (Kohler) and he said, “Just hold the start switch until you see the voltage come up on the gauge and then let go” I use this method now and it always stays running.
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My generator always starts twice and the previous owner said it always did with him. I push the Country Coach start/stop button, the engine starts for a few seconds and then maybe a half minute later it starts and runs fine. I’ve dismissed this as normal.
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I won’t worry about it and just keep the starter engaged a bit longer. There are plenty of other things to chase on the bus. Thank you all,
Gerald
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Gerald,
You’re finding there are lots of opinions here on PC.
We have been known for a few correct on occasion.
AL
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Mine is all automatic. I have no switch to hold or press. I can start it from the generator control panel by flipping a rocker switch to run (from the auto side or off position), or from the Crestron system by selecting the Generator on soft key on the screen. I have never had to do it twice. I don’t think that is normal. Mine is a Kohler 20 EORD if memory serves, and the Kohler 7.3ECD in my boat was the same way…same control panel basically too. That also never required a second start. I would start looking for a fuel leak down or something else.
Maybe someone else has seen and fixed this…Jon? or anyone else?
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On my Onan I was experiencing difficulty to get it going…..changed the Glo Plugs and VOILA! Also, holding down the preheat a bit longer seems to help…..Check prices on glo plugs, Onan wanted to sell me gold plated ones, or at least, they must have been gold plated along with the diamond stud washers.
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All my coaches like Mark’s were a start procedure that just required pushing the start button for a few seconds and from that point on the system handled the rest of the procedure. No second start or holding a button required beyond the few seconds requirted to wake up the system.
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