Advise needed

[Sehj41]

We are new to the camping world! We purchased a 2011 raptor last Friday but we are trying to problem solve before we haul it in to the shop
This raptor was barely used and the generator (Cummins 5500 with 53 hrs on it) was running shut down when we left with it but now will not start and doesn't seem to be getting fuel to it.
Is this related??
We drove straight to WVA and the CO detector was beeping low battery. We had no place to get a new battery and it was in our bedroom, so...cut the wires to replace when we get home. We were on shore power until coming home etc. Since getting back, generator won't start, cranks fine...but seems like no fuel is getting to it....

After that long explanation...my question: Is the hard wired CO detector connected to the generator problem? Like a safety mechanism thing that knows the detector is disconnected???
Please help!

[ctbruce]

Welcome to the forum from Kansas City, MO! Glad you're here!

No, they are not connected. First off, do you have a battery cut off switch? If you do it should be on/out for the battery to charge.

Second, the generator has to be primed before trying to start it. Push the stop button in first and hold it in. Then push the start button.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[Sehj41]

Welcome to the forum from Kansas City, MO! Glad you're here!

No, they are not connected. First off, do you have a battery cut off switch? If you do it should be on/out for the battery to charge.

Second, the generator has to be primed before trying to start it. Push the stop button in first and hold it in. Then push the start button.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

Thank you for the welcome and your reply!
Are you referring to the main battery switch? If so yes and it is on.
And yes we have primed it, online said to prime it for 10-15 seconds.
Still nothing
Any other suggestions?

[chuckster57]

When it fails to start, does the start button on the gen blink? If it does, count the blinks as they are telling you a trouble code. Then just google "Onan trouble code XXX".

[Sehj41]

When it fails to start, does the start button on the gen blink? If it does, count the blinks as they are telling you a trouble code. Then just google "Onan trouble code XXX".

Thanks for the reply! It DOES NOT blink!

However thanks for the info about the blinks, good info to know!

[Racebug]

could be dumb question, but fuel in tank? correct tank? if yes, I would say gunk in the fuel line/bowl. that few hours on that age generator suggests it could have old fuel that sludged in the lines. IMO 1 year old fuel is too old.

[Sehj41]

could be dumb question, but fuel in tank? correct tank? if yes, I would say gunk in the fuel line/bowl. that few hours on that age generator suggests it could have old fuel that sludged in the lines. IMO 1 year old fuel is too old.

Thanks for the reply, we took it in yesterday and they got it started! Yay!

Apparently it has a lower voltage pump on it and we mistakenly had the nose too high in our driveway so it couldn't pump the fuel uphill. They are still going to check the carb and lines. But fingers crossed it should all be fine from here.

Does their "low voltage" pump explanation sound legit?

[notanlines]

I'll let those with a little more tech savvy than me answer the rest of the questions, but I'll say this: Pay very, very close attention to what Racebug said about old gas. One year old gas is OLD! Generators should be started often (monthly) and fresh fuel is a must. Give them a good 15-30 minute run!

[JRTJH]

In addition to notanlines' comment about old gas, ANY gas with ethanol in it needs to either be used in a week or so, or stabilized with a fuel additive. StaBil (red) is good for a couple of months, StaBil (gray) is good for about 6-8 months. NEITHER will protect fuel (reliably) for a year.

If you're going to "require fuel be stored" for longer than a couple of months, I'd strongly urge you to find a source of "ethanol free gas" (in Michigan it's called "recreational gas") and add StaBil gray to that fuel.

The most common cause of small engine failure is carburetor "gumming" from "old gas".

[canesfan]

X3 on the old gas. Onan recommends you run the genny once a month, UNDER LOAD, for at least an hour. Also you should put Stabil in your gas tank. There is no way to drain them, at least on newer ones.

Edit - John types faster than me.

[Desert185]

If I had a TH with a generator and onboard fuel tank I would store it without filling the tank and with Stabil added to what gas is in it. I would also run the generator out of fuel if it had a fuel shutoff or drain the carburetor. Its also a good idea to have a spare sparkplug available, because bad fuel will kill the sparkplug, especially a Champion. Use an NGK.

The reason for not filling it is because I could add fresh fuel to it when it became time to use it, rather than run it on a full tank of stale gas. I have done this on a vehicle in another state that is stored for a long period of time, without ever having an issue starting it.

The fuel I store at home always gets treated with Stabil as soon as I get home with the jugs.

[Sehj41]

Thank each of you for your helpful advise! I have already passed it along to my husband! This is why I value forums, ask the experienced and get great advise! Thank you again!!!