Onan Genset problem

[Camille1]

My Onan MDKAV (7.5KVA 2003 model) began not to start last autumn and the problem has increased such that it will now not start at all. I am satisfied that the motor side is working fine and have concluded that the control panel has failed.

New panel is around 2,000 dollars and not worth investing this in a 14 year old, but not much used genset. TI believe the motor is fine as is the generator so I am bypassing the control panel to run it the old fashioned way. I know I will not have the advantage of the Onan control panel monitoring of the various sensors but I can keep an eye on these. With direct wiring the motor now starts every time and is running smoothly if a bit faster than before.

Problem is the voltage is low. I think I need to get to the governor in order to set it at 1500 rpm (for 50 Hz in Europe). Do I also need to 'flash' the genset to start the field?

Advice would be appreciated.

[a64pilot]

If it's a permanent magnet generator then you flash the field, but I doubt its a permanent magnet generator? At least the only ones I have flashed the field on were, Iike an old VW

[Captsteve53]

Well I have the 12.5 MDKAW , and every thing is controlled by the the ECU board, also the volts , My voltage is controlled by the front panel switch after starting, The same switch has a light and flashes a code when it stops or wont start(actually pretty dam good)simple diagnostic tool, I can adjust the voltage either up or down using the start switch, so perhaps if your's is the same it may be worth putting back to original

Cheers Steve