BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Mark Beavin on May 01, 2019, 01:30:55 PM

Title: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Mark Beavin on May 01, 2019, 01:30:55 PM

On my 96 Monterey when I go to use the cook top and the generator is running the ignitor disrupts the generator power just for a Moment. Lights flash and come back on. Is this Normal?

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: David T. Richelderfer on May 01, 2019, 01:38:42 PM

It must be a propane-fueled generator?

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Mark Beavin on May 01, 2019, 01:51:05 PM

Yes it is. Pulling propane from the line causes the surge?

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Bill Sprague on May 01, 2019, 03:13:17 PM

It shouldn't.   If the propane regulate is working correctly there should be enough volume and pressure in the lines to support running both.  It didn't use the word "will".  I used the word "should"!

Regulators are pretty cheap.  The tool to measure propane pressure is not.  This might be one of the times it might make sense to just change the regulator. 

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Gerald Farris on May 01, 2019, 04:04:17 PM

Mark,
I think that most of the propane generators in your era were liquid fueled, but your cooktop is vapor fueled, therefore this would necessitate a division of fuel sources at the tank. So before replacing the regulator, I would verify that the generator an cooktop are both being feed by the regulator.

Gerald

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Mark Beavin on May 01, 2019, 04:27:05 PM

That was my thought as I know the gen has to be liquid and the stove vapor. Should be separate regulators for them.

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Bill Sprague on May 01, 2019, 09:17:23 PM

Are current propane powered Onans fueled by liquid or regulated vapor?  I've never had a propane genset.

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Gerald Farris on May 02, 2019, 04:29:53 AM

Bill,
All of the Onan propane generators that I have had dealings with have a liquid propane supply line that feeds a regulator that is part of the generator assembly. So it has it's own regulator that is part of it's fuel control system. This type fuel system is necessary to supply an adequate amount of fuel for the generator to operate at full load. From my experience, a propane generator can use 50% more to twice as much fuel as a diesel generator with the same load.

Gerald

Title: Re: Cook Top Ignighter
Post by: Bill Sprague on May 02, 2019, 06:06:33 PM

Thanks Gerald.  You filled in a gap in my knowledge. 

In my new RV world of MB Sprinter based motorhomes there is a split between the lighter, cheaper propane Onans and the heavier, more expensive diesel Onans.

There are three groups:

1- Fill the entire roof with solar panels, buy lithium batteries and leave out the generator entirely.  Carry a Honda!
2- Get the propane Onan for brief, light and occasional use.
3. Get the diesel Onan for more frequent and more extended use.