RV Generator Basic Troubleshooting Guide

Having your RV generator saves you from suffering from mishaps during your camping adventures. Since it does not only power up your electrical appliances but also charges your RV’s battery, it is an essential powerful tool contributing to trouble-free and comporting trips.

However, no matter how durable they might be, all equipment is still subject to breakage and failures in the long run. RV generators are no exception to this. If you want to avoid these problems occurring intermittently because of the substandard generator set you bought, try checking out this website that provides an in-depth review of the best RV generators available in the market. You will be equipped with technical knowledge about generators significant in deciding what’s best for your vehicle.

Common Problems of RV Generators

An RV generator supplies electricity to your vehicle, powering up all the devices inside it. Because of that, it is included in the list of must-haves during your trips. But there are instances that it encounters starting failure causing distress to the owner.

The most common struggle that happens to RV generators is startup failure. Three issues usually occur: it cranks but does not start, it cranks and starts but disengages when the startup button is released, and lastly, when it does not crank at all.

Imagine being in the middle of a campsite with nobody but yourself, and then your generator keeps on acting up with one of the above issues. How annoying is that? Read on because we will provide you with essential troubleshooting guides to help you once you experience this very inconvenient and unexpected situation.

Troubleshooting

Sure, you bought your generator to have a comfortable stay in your RV. But if you cannot use your electrical appliances because your generator won’t start, that is so exasperating. No matter how annoyed you are about it, you still have no choice but to troubleshoot it and find what causes the problem. For that, here is a troubleshooting guide you may opt to follow.

Leakage

If your RV generator won’t start, the first thing to do is check for any possible leakage. If you found either fuel or oil leaks, we suggest replacing the entire line where the discharge occurs. Never try patching up the hole because it may cause other damages to your generator. If you can’t replace it yourself, have someone professional to do it for you.

Chewed Up Wires and Cables

When you find no leakage at all in your generator, proceed on checking the wires and cables for possible loose and broken connections. There are instances that rodents chew up wires, so be aware of that.

Gas or Fuel Below the Critical Level

Any generator will not run if it has not enough fuel to go to the carburetor. For RV generators to excellently function and power up your vehicle, you must fill it with gasoline or fuel not less than a quarter of its full tank capacity.

Low Oil Pressure Because of Clogged Filter

Clogged oil filters reduce the pressure, especially when no oil passes through the filter section, making the generating set unable to run. It is because all RV generators have oil pressure sensors that detect the pressure level. This actuator avoids further damage in the generator set when it is below the critical level.

To fix this problem, you have to perform an oil change. Below the filter, there is a valve where you can drain the oil. After draining the oil, remove the filter and clean it up with a carburetor or brake part cleaner. Please put it back and refill the oil.

Defective Fuel Pump

As its name suggests, the fuel pump creates enough pressure in the line pushing the fuel or gasoline to the generator’s engine. If you suspect your fuel pump is the problem, you have to check the fuel line for any cracks or damage. You can also inspect the fuel filter for any possible clogging. But if it is still not the case, the problem might be the fuel pump itself. If you are not sure if you can change the pump yourself, you may opt to bring your generator to a service center with experienced technicians.

Maintenance

We are confident that the last thing you want to experience during your trip is the RV generator malfunctioning. For that reason, we have listed here ways to maintain it so you can use it at its best.

1. Exercise your generator at least once a month to prolong the engine’s life.
2. Clean it with a degreaser at least once a month so dust will not pile up inside it.
3. Perform oil change every year or after 150 hours of usage, whichever comes first.
4. Change the oil filter every 150-200 running hours.
5.  Replace spark plugs and fuel filters after 450 to 500 hours of running.
6. If you repair the generator, make sure you replace the damaged piece with genuine parts.

Conclusion

When you desire to have hassle-free and comfortable travel, which has your generator functioning well for you, you have to keep it maintained as much as possible. Proper maintenance will lessen your chance of troubleshooting and fixing it during your supposed enjoyable and relaxing trip. It may sound cliche, but yes, prevention is always better than cure. Keep that in mind.