Generator install help

[barbhalsell]

Getting ready to install the replacement generator on our Pat. Question is, there are 2 control connectors coming from the coach. There is only 1 connecting plug in on the generator. Is one for a propane application and the other for diesel, and how do we tell the difference?

[Edward Buker]

You might try and post a photograph of the two connectors that are involved on the coach side of things, a photo of the generator and the plug location of its harness in question. With that info a similar coach owner might be able to take a look and see which of the two harnesses are used and send a photo back of the coupled harness. Hope this helps.

later Ed

[barbhalsell]

Thanks Ed, I will try to get pics posted in the morning. Since the original generator was stolen from the coach before we bought it were not quite sure on this part of the install, the rest is pretty straight forward.
Barb

[barbhalsell]

It occurs to me there may be a 2 to 1 adapter for whatever this is.
This is the first picture...

[barbhalsell]

generator side

[Edward Buker]

I have a single large plug coming from an Onan 10KW generator that looks similar to what is in the photo that seems to mate to a single large plug on the motorhome side. There could be a twin to single harness involved but I cannot see it. You might want to identify the old generator that was taken out...8K Onan or whatever so someone else with the same generator can look.

Later Ed

[barbhalsell]

Problem with that is there is NO history on this coach. All we know for sure is that is was owned for some length of time by a retired firefighter. He apparently lived in Texas at least for awhile, the coach was financed. When the older man passed away, the 50 or so year old son took possession of the coach but did not make payments. The coach was repoed by the bank and sold at auction.
We bought it from the clueless car dealer in Boise that got it from the auction. At some point along the way, the generator disappeared, the owners manuals and any other documentation also poofed into thin air.
So we are gathering as many user manuals as we can find and going through the coach step by step to figure it out. It was originally advertised by the car dealer with a 7.5 Onan because that is what was supposed to be in it when it went to auction.
BTW, sent an email to Ken at Beaver Coach along with the pictures.

Hi Ken,
Hopefully you wont mind answering this question. We are installing a used 7.5 Onan in our 2000 Beaver Patriot to replace the generator that had been stolen.
Everything looks to be fairly straightforward as far as exhaust, fuel line and most of the electrical. The only thing that seems to be a mystery is why there are two separate 12 volt connctor plugs coming from the motorhome and only one 12 volt receptacle on the generator.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Barb Halsell
Gooding, ID

This what he replied.

Barb,
 
thats a good question as that plug is for gen remote switchs inside coach. I would see if both matched  and try them once everything else is connected

Big help there huh?

[Edward Buker]

There does seem to be some 2 to one harness configurations but I have no idea if this is an appropriate adapter for your coach.

http://www.factoryrvsurplus.com/products.php?product_id=1148

Later Ed

[barbhalsell]

It appears that may be a part we may need. The model numbers of the application dont match ours but why else would our coach have 2?

[JimDyer]

Barb,

There should be connections for outgoing power to the coach. That line would tie in to your transfer switch which may be near the back corner of the coach, or mine is in the 'basement' near the inverter.  This line could be live if you are plugged in so be careful with this stuff. Make sure you have a meter and use it.

Besides that there should be connections for the remote switches to start the generator (probably located on the dash, over the dining table or elsewhere in the kitchen, and in the bedroom. Not all coaches have all three) these switches will be a rocker switch with a light. One position labelled stop is used to kill the generator and also to prime the generator before starting.  The other position will be the starting position and neutral will be where it sits while either running or off.

A third possibility is a connector to allow an automatic start of the generator when the batteries are low.

[barbhalsell]

I did go ahead and order the part that Ed linked to. It does seem to be required for this coach having 2 remote start switches. Thank you Ed.
Still havent figured out the no power TO the generator yet. Probably blew something when the the 12 volt to generator red lead sparked.
Barb

[Edward Buker]

Barb,

I do not really know the function of that 2 to one harness. The good thing is that it was surplus and inexpensive, the bad thing is that it really should be understood before it is plugged in even it it mated up. I think Onan/Cummins folks could help with at least defining how that 2 to 1 PN harness is used. The one good clue is that the old harness must have had some adapter that was unplugged given the generators seem to have a single large plug so maybe we got lucky.

Regarding the red lead. In the upper section of the battery compartment there are usually some heavy duty filament fuses that are mounted with some small lugs. They are considered a chassis and house main fuse. The generator probably comes off the chassis battery fuse. You can measure voltage there and see if that fuse is O.K. If the coach engine starts that fuse is O.K. There may also be a metal filament type fuse across some lugs in that 12V line maybe somewhere near the generator.

Later Ed

[barbhalsell]

We were so worn out yesterday after spending all day on our backs under the generator getting it hooked up and fixing bent bracket and misalighned hole issues that we just did not have the energy to start the hunt last night.
We will check your suggestions Ed, maybe we will find the problem.
Thanks,
Barb

[barbhalsell]

Finally got a chance to search for the generator problem, you were right Ed. There are several Buss ANL 125 fuses in the roof of our battery compartment. What a trick to get to, who thought that was a great place for them?
Anyway, we decided we would do a quick fix on the sagging , broken battery tray while we were at it LOL. Several hours later we had removed all the batteries, after taking pictures and marking every lead. Taken out the battery tray, welded and reinstalled the tray Found the right replacement fuse online and ordered. Then serviced and reistalled the batteries. In the meantime, Jack ran a jumper on the lead for the generator until the fuse arrives, and have finally been able to test the generator we installed last week.
Purrs like a kitten! Thanks to Gundies Salvage for getting the right match at a good price!
Also think the 2 to 1 harness is going to be exactly what was suggested, for the 2 remote switches in the coach. It should be here this week.
Thanks for the suggestions and help from everyone, we definitely are learning our coach inside and out.
Barb

[barbhalsell]

So we got the harness in, it matches perfectly and the 2 remote switches now start and stop the generator. The  interesting part is that after a LOT of research, I found that harness number was only associated with the install of a hand-held remote control for the generator. Apparently 1 leg for the inside remote switch and the other for the hand-held. So, Jack being Jack, he installed the harness, which matched pin for pin perfectly. Went in and used both the over door and dash remote switches to start and stop the generator. TA DA!
Only thing is, I am a bit of a fretter......So after a few phone calls to Onan people, I have the service person in Boise saying they would normally take 2 different wiring harness's and splice them to match our application. Huh? So why did this one work? Called Salt Lake Onan and spoke to Larry the tech advisor. Explained the story, he confirmed that yes indeed that was intended for the hand-held( which BTW turned out to be useless because you had to stand next to the generator and point thereby defeating the purpose of convenience) and a remote inside switch. He said if the harness matched up, works on both remote switches " then don't worry about it, your good to go". Sheesh.
Good call Ed!