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What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?

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skipper

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What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« on: September 22, 2013, 05:23:24 pm »
I changed the oil today in both the genset and the engine.  While checking for leaks, I noticed a box with a clear plastic panel facing forward beside the propane tank that had a row of 4 red led lights at the bottom  With the generator running, the first light was blinking and the rest were solid.  Is this the transfer switch for the shore power/genset?  What do the lights signify?  Why is the plastic panel facing forward where it is more likely to be struck and broken by stones?

I also noticed that my genset takes about 3 attempts before it fires up.  I hold the switch in the prime position until the light goes out and then rotate it to the start position.  Is this normal?  Once it starts, it runs fine.

Thanks, Mark
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Bob Mahon

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2013, 06:45:23 pm »
I believe the box you speak of is the HWH Jack controller.
As for the Genny, mine does the same (I don't much like it though).
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bobander

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2013, 01:05:16 pm »
I have the Onan 4000 generator and I was also priming before starting and had the same experience where it took three tries before starting and then would run rich for a short time.  I recently read in the Generator manual that the priming is to be done if the generator ran out of fuel, not every time.  I now do not use the prime and the generator starts on the first attempt.

Bob
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2013, 02:17:24 pm »
About the Onan 4000 generator....

With our 2007 model, it primes after the light turns on, not beforehand.  We were doing the WRONG thing holding down the primer until the light came on.

When the light turns on, it is then that it first starts to prime.  If you listen very closely, you can hear the pump turn on when the light turns on.

So hold that primer switch long after the light goes on.  It still takes a few starting attempts, but with much less cranking.

Bob, if I never primed prior, my generator would require excessive cranking to start.  So I don't know what more to say.
« Last Edit: September 23, 2013, 02:24:01 pm by ron.dittmer »
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TomHanlon

Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2013, 03:18:36 pm »
I was taught that you should push the button to "stop" and hold it until the light comes on, then release it. Next push the button to start and it should start within a few seconds, maybe 10 seconds. Works every time for me. If you are holding the button on stop until the light goes out, you might be flooding it.
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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2013, 03:59:20 pm »
I agree that you need to use some common sense as to how long to hold the button in after the light turns on.  I hold it priming for 2-3 seconds after the light comes on, then go for start.

There is no hard fast rule for everyone because Onans seem to behave differently from one unit to another.  I suppose it comes down to finding what works best for your PC.

Also, it could possibly be the altitude adjustment on the carb isn't matching your actual altitude.  I wonder how many of us PC owners adjust that thingy?
« Last Edit: September 23, 2013, 04:01:26 pm by ron.dittmer »
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skipper

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2013, 06:16:24 pm »
I was told to hold the remote start/stop button in the stop position, light comes on, and then move the switch to the start position when the light goes out.  On the first attempts, it will start or try to start and after a few seconds, stop.  I'll tinker with priming it a little bit longer.  I hate to run the starter any longer than necessary.

I found the altitude adjustment and it is properly set at sea level.  I also accidently hit the start button on the genset when wiping up excess oil.  It was unexpected and scared the $%#& out of me!

The box on the other side of the propane tank is not the leveling system.  It was all lit up when the levelers were not activated.  These motorhomes have a lot of parts!  Mark
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bobander

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2013, 07:32:24 pm »
Quote from: ron.dittmer on September 23, 2013, 02:17:24 pm
Bob, if I never primed prior, my generator would require excessive cranking to start.  So I don't know what more to say.

Quote from: ron.dittmer on September 23, 2013, 03:59:20 pm
There is no hard fast rule for everyone because Onans seem to behave differently from one unit to another.  I suppose it comes down to finding what works best for your PC.

Ron, I think you are right in that each generator may behave differently.  My 2010 Onan was difficult to start after priming and after I read the manual regarding priming and starting (see below) I no longer prime and it now starts perfectly.  I was told to prime before starting and that is why I was doing it, but now I don't.  If someone is not satisfied with the way their Onan starts they might try it without priming if their manual reads as mine does.


PRIMING THE FUEL SYSTEM
If the genset ran out of fuel (gasoline models only)
prime the fuel system by holding the control switch
at STOP/PRIME for 30 seconds. (The status indica-
tor light will stay on while the pump is on.)


STARTING THE GENSET
Start the genset from the genset control panel or re-
mote control panel inside the vehicle (Page 1-4).
1. Push and hold the switch at START until the
genset starts. The status indicator light on the
switch flashes while cranking. It will stay on
continuously when the genset is running.
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Shipper

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2013, 07:52:48 pm »
Quote from: TomHanlon on September 23, 2013, 03:18:36 pm
I was taught that you should push the button to "stop" and hold it until the light comes on, then release it. Next push the button to start and it should start within a few seconds, maybe 10 seconds. Works every time for me. If you are holding the button on stop until the light goes out, you might be flooding it./quote]

Ditto for me!
« Last Edit: September 24, 2013, 09:53:04 am by Shipper »
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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2013, 08:15:39 pm »
One item not covered... The transfer switch is in the wall in back of the drivers seat.
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Shipper

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2013, 09:50:08 am »
Quote from: dickreid1 on September 23, 2013, 08:15:39 pm
One item not covered... The transfer switch is in the wall in back of the drivers seat.

What transfer switch?
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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2013, 10:38:06 am »
Mark

The transfer switch is a switch that automatically senses generator power and prevents two power sources from entering the AC Distribution Panel if connected to shore power.

Barry
« Last Edit: September 24, 2013, 11:31:51 am by Barry-Sue »
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skipper

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2013, 10:46:43 am »
Bob commented that he thought the box by the propane tank was the HWH leveler system.  On my unit, I don't think that is right because it was all lit up with 5 or 6 leds and I didn't have the leveler system turned on.  I only noticed the lights on when I was running the generator and thought perhaps this was the transfer switch and the led's somehow indicate what the power source is.  Mark
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Bob Mahon

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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2013, 11:10:22 am »
If it was the transfer switch, all PCz with a Generator would have that box. Unless I'm misunderstanding your explanation of where you see it, it is the HWH system.
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Re: What is in the box between the propane tank and the frame?
« Reply #14 on: September 24, 2013, 11:30:00 am »
The box with the plastic front cover is the HWH control box.

Barry
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