LP Gas Generator not starting

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donbill123@msn.com
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2019 1:15 pm

LP Gas Generator not starting

Post by donbill123@msn.com »

LP Onan Generator issue.
I have a 1998 Born Free with a propane Emerald Plus 4KW gen set Model BGE. It only has 48 run hours. It will not start on its own. If I press the spring loaded prime button on the top of the generator LP Gas Regulator, you can hear a rush of LP for a minute and then it starts.
If it sits for a day, it acks the same. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Don Billings
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whemme
Posts: 2110
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:05 pm

Re: LP Gas Generator not starting

Post by whemme »

Only 48 hrs on your Onan generator in 23 years is not good. Will it stay running once you get it started ? You may need to go to a Cummins engine shop to have your generator fixed.
Bill Hemme - Spencer, Iowa
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
2016 VW Golf GTI - toad
WardPAW
Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2014 10:03 pm

Re: LP Gas Generator not starting

Post by WardPAW »

We have a propane generator as well.

I am assume you are priming the generator with the inside switch as well. The switch has two positions, priming/stop and start/run. We prime our generator every time we start it with the inside switch. There is also a switch by the generator and also prime it when starting.

Make sure that you have turned on both valves on the propane tank. The generator will not run if a valve is closed. Also, if the propane tank is below 1/4 full, you might have a problem as well.

While traveling in Alaska in 2013, we left Denali NP on a rainy day, so the 30 mile trip to the main gate threw a lot of dirt and mud on the coach. The front of the generator was caked with mud. That night the generator would not start. Eventually discovered an air vent hose from the carburetor that hangs on the front of the generator. The mud was covering the hose. Cleared the mud and it fired right up. Have since placed a plastic guard over the hose. If you drive on gravel roads, look for buildup on the generator if it does not start.
Ben Ward
2005 26 RSB, Diesel
RV Name: Lion PAW
WardPAW
Posts: 76
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2014 10:03 pm

Re: LP Gas Generator not starting

Post by WardPAW »

Our generator is an Onan 3800, so the controls and setup may be different.
Ben Ward
2005 26 RSB, Diesel
RV Name: Lion PAW
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