Last fall we wrote about how to check the oil in your Onan 2500/2800. The next thing to know is how to reset the circuit breaker on the Onan.
If you try to run too many high power devices, such as a microwave and hair drier, at the same time you are likely to trip the circuit breaker on the Onan. By high power we include things like the air conditioner and perhaps your coffee maker. Don't run more than one of these at a time. Your generator is also recharging your house battery or batteries, so you may be drawing more power than you know about. You might hear the generator struggle and then die. The generator may restart just fine, but even after the short built-in delay you may find you have no power in your camper. You probably just tripped the Onan circuit breaker. It is easy to reset, but is not be easy to get to it.
Sometime in 1996, Roadtrek moved the Onan from a side compartment to under the vehicle in the center rear. So crawling underneath is necessary. If you are physically not able to crawl under your camper, you may still want to know what to do and have photos. Then you can ask the young guy in the next campsite to do it for you. This photo is a 2800 (gasoline model) under a Roadtrek.
If you have a side compartment-mounted Onan, you won't have to do any crawling. Either way, pull the two latches at the bottom of the access panel cover up and then out to remove the black panel. Be careful to reinstall the access cover securely. It is necessary for proper air flow when the generator is running and it is very expensive to replace if you loose it.
Behind the access panel you will find this if you have a 2800. The 2500 is the propane model and it will not have a carburetor. If you are lying on your back under your Roadtrek you may have to identify parts by feel. Click on photo to view in larger scale.
The circuit breaker is located on the side of the control panel below the 5 amp 12 volt fuse and next to the fuel filter. To reset the circuit break flip the switch up and down a couple of times, but be sure to leave it in the up position. You will probably have to do this all by feel.
This photo clearly shows that the up position is “on”. This photo was taken with the Onan disassembled, so you cannot actually see this perspective in an operating Onan.
We hope resetting the circuit breaker will restore power inside your camper. If not, check first the main circuit breaker at your electrical panel. If that is not the problem you will need to trace the power lines from the Onan to the electrical panel to find the problem.
If you want to understand more about your Roadtrek's electrical system, check out John Slaughter's Roadtrek Electrical Simulator.
Now you have learned one more thing that every Onan 2800/2500 owner needs to know!
10 Responses to “Help! My Generator runs but I don’t have any power!”
Comments are closed.
August 13, 2016at5:08 pm, Agnes said:
We have a class A 2002 Monaco Windsor with 7500 Onan generator. It’s our first RV and we’re just learning about this whole new experience. Recently during last trip our generator experienced problem described in article above. It was really hot outside and both of our ac units were on (dash ac doesn’t work so we had to run both ac’s in the coach plus fridge, coffe maker, phone charger, etc…). All of the sudden generator started struggling a bit, turning itself off a few times until the power would no longer work while generator was on. We researched for this problem and came across this page. Turns out it was the circuit breaker switch! Quick, easy and free fix! Thanks guys for your help! We now plan to service our gen so it keeps working well in the future.
August 19, 2014at1:09 pm, Red Rover said:
All the class Bs I know with a built in generator are using the Onan 2500/2800 wired through a transfer switch. If the generator was producing power and suddenly is not, the breaker in the Onan is the most likely cause. It could be the coach circuit breaker (which is lots easier to reach) but that is rarely the case. Yes, it could be something in between the two breakers (like the transfer switch) but that is rare. If you look at the Onan Service Manual it will tell you the causes of “generator runs but no power”. Here is our Onan Troubleshooting guide. See the bottom of page 2 for this problem. http://www.redroverroadtrek.com/Onan%20Troubleshooting%20Tables%20-%20Red%20Rover.pdf
August 19, 2014at12:06 pm, Rob Byrnes said:
Durn auto-correct.
August 19, 2014at12:03 pm, Rob Byrnes said:
Thank you Mike, no problems yet with hour’s.
August 19, 2014at11:39 am, Sandy Moran said:
Thanks Mike Wendland this is the source we used to restart ours yesterday!
August 19, 2014at11:33 am, Joe Alexander said:
If your engine runs, but the generator is not producing electricity, it may need to be “flashed”.
Google “flashing the field” for detailed instructions…
August 19, 2014at8:48 am, Thea Welsh said:
We just had our transfer switch replaced on our eight year old 210. Not a cheap repair.
August 19, 2014at8:21 am, Nate Daniela Vance said:
I agree with Les that you should check that the power cord is plugged into the coach. If not, it is most likely a fuse or breaker that has blown or is tripped.
August 19, 2014at7:47 am, Les Balty said:
Transfer switch or power cord (if no transfer switch)
August 19, 2014at7:47 am, Les Balty said:
Check the breaker(s)