JoeandJane
Well-known member
If I remember right, the generator will not run down past 1/4 gas tank, correct?
Generator quits at 1/4 tank?
- Thread starter JoeandJane
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an RV or an interest in RVing!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
Yes, that's correct, although "approximately a quarter tank" is more accurate, some cut out at a bit more, some a bit less...
OP
OP
JoeandJane
Well-known member
Sigh of relief. I started it up to check it before the weekend and it ran for about three minutes and started running real rough and died. It would not restart but then I really realize that the gas gauge was at 1/4 so I probably just ran out the carburetor and then quit.NY_Dutch said:
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
JoeandJane said:
Yep, that's exactly what happens. It may take a few restart tries to get fuel back up in the bowl and flowing to the engine, but it'll get there. Don't run the starter for more than about 10 seconds at a time.
muskoka guy
Well-known member
Get in the habit of looking for gas around half tank. This way if an emergency arises and you need the generator, you will have enough fuel to last at least a while. I never let mine get even near 1\4 for this reason.
John Canfield
Site Team
Our Onan QuietDiesel will self prime if you hold the start switch in the off position for about two minutes.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
John Canfield said:
I don't think any of the gas generators have that feature, John, but I could be wrong. I have known a couple of people that added a push button fuel pump override to older units though.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
kdbgoat said:
Is it an Onan gas model?
Ernie n Tara
Well-known member
Pet Peeve! 
I have 90 gallon fuel tank and almost always run with the generator running. That wastes 1/4 of the fuel tank or 22.5 gallons/200 miles of range. Dumb plan in a modern RV. I have to start looking for fuel about 200 miles sooner for no good reason (the generator uses about 10 gallons per day and I don't boondock often). What's worse, I suspect they do this in software but don't provide to modify it.
Ernie
I have 90 gallon fuel tank and almost always run with the generator running. That wastes 1/4 of the fuel tank or 22.5 gallons/200 miles of range. Dumb plan in a modern RV. I have to start looking for fuel about 200 miles sooner for no good reason (the generator uses about 10 gallons per day and I don't boondock often). What's worse, I suspect they do this in software but don't provide to modify it.Ernie
LarsMac
Well-known member
John Canfield said:
My Onan Gas generator will do the same thing.
LarsMac
Well-known member
Ernie n Tara said:Pet Peeve!
Ernie
Why do you always run the generator?
garyb1st
Well-known member
We run ours whenever it's warm. Any travel during the summer months in the Southwest is warm. The dash air doesn't cool a 36 foot motorhome.
nvrver
Well-known member
wackymac said:
same
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
kdbgoat said:
That's great then! I wasn't aware that some of the gas models had that feature. Neither my current 5500 or previous 7000 had it.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
Ernie n Tara said:Pet Peeve!
Ernie
The 1/4 tank cut off has nothing to do with any software. The separate pickup tube that the generator uses is purposely cut to that length. The tube can be extended by grafting another piece onto it, or even a short piece of hose, but the labor to have it done would be costly.
taoshum
Well-known member
Ernie n Tara said:Pet Peeve!
Ernie
Maybe you could tee into the main fuel line and run both off the main line? That way you'd be able to run both right up to the last ounce of fuel. No software required.
