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Old 07-15-2017, 06:57 AM   #1
Bosstweed
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Question LP Generator problem

I have a new Onan 5500 LP generator installed in my 2017 DRV. The generator starts and runs great, switches over from park power to generator power, and supplies power for 10 to 20 minutes, then one of the two circuit breakers on the generator trip, causing me to lose power. I then have to turn the generator off, flip the circuit breaker, and restart the generator. Same thing happens again. Anybody have any ideas or expierience with something like this? I am not to mechanically inclined to know what's happening or why. :confused
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Old 07-15-2017, 10:44 AM   #2
wingnut60
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The generator has a blinking light on the breaker panel--check to see what it is telling you by looking at the manual. In my limited experience, breakers trip due to overload, low voltage, weak breaker, heat. Is it always the same breaker?

Check online for an Onan/Cummins service center near you--should be under warranty.
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Old 07-15-2017, 12:30 PM   #3
Cummins12V98
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Look at your RV's power monitor, I will bet you are overloading the gen.

For those considering a LP Gen get the 6500 Commercial 240V you will be able to run much more.

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Old 07-16-2017, 05:36 AM   #4
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Thanks Wingnut, great ideas.
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Old 07-16-2017, 09:22 PM   #5
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I thought I was buying a generator that would run everything on my 5th wheel. I can see now that I didn't do enough research. Big mistake.
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Old 07-16-2017, 11:03 PM   #6
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You do have enough gen power to do almost everything at the same time--BUT, DRV wires the circuits so they aren't balanced correctly. You should find out what runs on each breaker (circuit)--bet you will find too many items wired to one breaker.
On my '05, I had the same gen--now it is on my '15. On the '05, it ran most things I needed, but just had to be sure that when both ACs were on, that I didn't decide to run the microwave and a blow dryer--I could pull 47 amps without a problem occurring.
How many things do you have on when you are running the gen--anything more than just the 2 ACs?
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Old 07-18-2017, 06:34 AM   #7
Bosstweed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut60 View Post
You do have enough gen power to do almost everything at the same time--BUT, DRV wires the circuits so they aren't balanced correctly. You should find out what runs on each breaker (circuit)--bet you will find too many items wired to one breaker.
On my '05, I had the same gen--now it is on my '15. On the '05, it ran most things I needed, but just had to be sure that when both ACs were on, that I didn't decide to run the microwave and a blow dryer--I could pull 47 amps without a problem occurring.
How many things do you have on when you are running the gen--anything more than just the 2 ACs?
Wingnut, You are exactly right. I found a generator repair man, showed me that the 20 and 30 amp fuses were not working together. The 20 was getting all of the power use and of course couldn't handle that and tripped. Now, both lines are together, repairman added a jumper wire between the 30 & 20, now power drains are evenly split. The biggest problem with power goes to the residential refrigerator. It kicks on and off throughout the day, using 10-12 amps when it kicks on, so if I'm running 30-32 amps, and the reefer kicks on I'm over the gens limit, primarily due to the initial surge.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and help.
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Old 07-18-2017, 08:56 AM   #8
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You still should have some breathing room, even with the surge of the fridge--30-32 + 12 should not kick the breaker(s). Something is still weak in the system. But I only think I know things electrical...going to be finding all this out on my '15 as we have the fridge and I will be on gen for a couple days before long.
Joe
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Old 06-30-2018, 09:31 AM   #9
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Hey Wingnut, just wanted to update you on my generator problem. I finally had a generator repair service check my unit, seems that when it was installed, the installer failed to connect both circuits. The generator was only putting out 20 amps and if I tried to power any higher, the 20 amp breaker would trip. The repairman said that both circuits need to be tied together, so when 20 amps is reached, the power goes to the 30 amp circuit automatically. All he did was add a wire connecting the two circuits, now I can get almost the 50 amps with no problem. Thanks for all of your advice. I appreciate it.
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