cummins onan 5500 lp Generator

2017Redwood · 08-31-2016, 04:50 AM

Hello; Everybody.

I have a question and need some guidience on where to go, I purchased a factory ordered 38RL and had a Cummins Onan RV QG 5500 LP installed in the nose, and I looked everywhere for the Instructions on how to work this within the RV, and don't have any paperwork at all on this, I'm guessing that I'm not toughing anything due to I have added a 7yr warranty to this. but if I cant operate it, it's really a waste. and 1 more thing we are set up on a power source right now, i'm guessing I need to run this generator at some time to keep it operational ? do I need to unplug my shoreline then start this up and run it or what? we are full time Campers from now on. your thoughts are most welcomed. Michael.....

**Dave&Ginny** · 08-31-2016, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2017Redwood

Hello; Everybody.

I have a question and need some guidience on where to go, I purchased a factory ordered 38RL and had a Cummins Onan RV QG 5500 LP installed in the nose, and I looked everywhere for the Instructions on how to work this within the RV, and don't have any paperwork at all on this, I'm guessing that I'm not toughing anything due to I have added a 7yr warranty to this. but if I cant operate it, it's really a waste. and 1 more thing we are set up on a power source right now, i'm guessing I need to run this generator at some time to keep it operational ? do I need to unplug my shoreline then start this up and run it or what? we are full time Campers from now on. your thoughts are most welcomed. Michael.....

You should run the generator at least 2 hours a month under a full load. This would require the a/c units on or in the winter the fireplace plus heat pumps. Lack of running the generator does the most harm to the unit.

mhs4771 · 08-31-2016, 03:36 PM

Just to expand on Dave's post. I've talked to Onan Techs and while the Genny needs to be exercised it's not as important to do it every month. That requirement is mainly for Gasoline powered units, with Propane you don't get the problem of stale fuel, but they do need to be run to keep the armature and contacts clean. I run ours every few months if we haven't had a need to use it.
You do not need to disconnect the shore power as the Transfer Switch will detect that the generator is suppling power and switch to it automaticly.
If no one showed you about powering up the Genny, using the switch inside you RW, press and hold the switch in the off position until it lights, then push it in the start position, Genny should crank and start up. That holding the switch in the off position is used to prime the engine.
If you search Onan on the internet you should be able to get all the info you need.
Congrats on your new unit, and any more questions there is a ton of knowledge avail on this site.

atom ant · 08-31-2016, 04:44 PM

Our 5500 LP was 13 years old when we sold the Redwood (it was in 3 5th wheels). Did we run it every month? not a chance. I ran it when I could, and when it would start, but typically for 7-8 months of storage it sat in the winter. To me, it is far more harm on the unit to try and get it to start in 0 degree weather, not to mention the strain it puts on the batteries if unsuccessful because you walk away without recharging them to full charge. I learned to just leave well enough alone in the coldest part of the season.

I understand there are armature corrosion issues in humid areas and not starting them can cause corrosion, but not the case for us here.

So - after 13 years, that Onan never let us down even if I didn't follow the rules

5th_Time · 08-31-2016, 05:23 PM

Brad, you haven't been following the rules?? You rebel...

2017Redwood · 08-31-2016, 08:48 PM

Thanks... I have a propane setup, so as I read some of the others I'm assuming 1 time in 2 months would be good.

2017Redwood · 08-31-2016, 08:49 PM

Thanks MHS seems to me you are on top of things.

mhs4771 · 08-31-2016, 09:49 PM

We've been doing this since 1974, so we have a few miles and different RVs under our belts. Plus growing up on a Farm in Western NY, you learned to be self sufficient.

spindrift · 09-01-2016, 05:46 PM

If this doesn't work, let me know:

https://quickserve.cummins.com/cpgfi..._I6_201411.pdf

https://quickserve.cummins.com/cpgfi...I24_201603.pdf

**Dave&Ginny** · 09-03-2016, 12:09 AM

It's a shame they don't put a fuel tank other than LP in these. When I ordered my 2012 RL they had promised me a 25-30 gallon fuel tank like the ones they use in the toy haulers. But just before the unit was built they said they couldn't do it.

Now that I have a diesel generator, we run it all the time without really giving it much thought. I ran mine through a 3 day weekend continuously and I figured around 25 gallons of fuel was used. It sure is easier to fill that diesel tank over the LP.

atom ant · 09-03-2016, 01:42 AM

Ya I ran my so much the service indicator displayed and I had to get the oil changed (150 hrs) and I've only had it since May.

Shane Wood · 09-03-2016, 02:04 AM

Brad when the bring electricity into Colorado you won't need it as much

Tomkidder · 09-03-2016, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane Wood

Brad when the bring electricity into Colorado you won't need it as much

That is too funny. Most likely he camps at Walmart and they refuse to give him 50 Amp service. Here in Ellsworth, ME we have a $500,000 coach camping behind Walmart all the slides out satellite antenna up, chairs out and the Genny running most of the time. They have been there for a week or so. Florida plates.

Shane Wood · 09-03-2016, 02:47 AM

That's cause he spent $500,000 on it and can't afford an RV park. Either that or they have saved all the money we have spent in camping fees so they could buy one

atom ant · 09-03-2016, 03:41 PM

Na, its from running it down the road.

I doubt I put 150 hours on it though, more likely the Dealer didn't service the gen like they said, or if they did they forgot to reset to service timer. It was safer just to service it so I know where it is at.

5th_Time · 09-03-2016, 05:27 PM

Tom: He probably thinks he's in Bar Harbor. He missed KOA Oceanside by about 6 miles. Ha.

Tomkidder · 09-03-2016, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

Tom: He probably thinks he's in Bar Harbor. He missed KOA Oceanside by about 6 miles. Ha.

Most likely he didn't make any reservations with any of the campgrounds. He got here, and everybody's full, because it is summertime. Driving in Ellsworth and Bar Harbor during the summer makes me feel like a cabbie in NY city. I get road rage pretty quick riding that South Bend clutch with a 3250# pressure plate

2017Redwood · 10-11-2016, 04:57 AM

I have another issue, my Generator started right up, my problem is when I turned on the Power control System, it lit up and I selected the 50amp on the pad and then it stayed lit up till the utility company came and replaced the utility pole and the system never changed over to the generator, then when the power was restored the panel lit back up, nothing on the inside worked on the 110 side of our camper. any ideas?

ted 95 · 10-11-2016, 05:32 AM

It sounds like the transfer switch might have a bug. You have a transfer switch that should detect you have shore power. If you loose your shore power and start up the gen it will flip to the gen feed. There can be a short delay as a safety when it is flipping over.
Just a suggestion always only run with 1 tank valve open at a time. So if you run out of propane in tank 1 you can switch over and get it filled. You can empty a tank in no time especially on a full load. Hope you ordered 40lb tanks.

homeguy · 10-11-2016, 12:08 PM

Question. When running on generator, does the transfer switch keep the power from going back out the line to the box? If not, this could back feed power to the line causing a dangerous situation.

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