onan gen has no output
- Thread starter sirweldalot
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
Perhaps it just needs to be reflashed?
KenB
Well-known member
Tell us a little more. Did it ever work? If so, what happened when it stopped working? If not, how did you get it?
OP
sirweldalot
Well-known member
It has worked recently. I went to use it the other day,and plugged in a tool and no power. I took my meter to see if I had voltage at the back on unit in the pic.and it does not. How do I flash it?
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
If it's a Pro 6000E, pull the back cover off the generator end. Look to see if the slip rings are real tarnished looking. If they are what I have done in the past, do it at you own risk, remove the brush block noting where the wires come from. Then get an ultra fine Scothch Brite pad and what I use are some hemostats, like a fine pair of needle nose pliers but they lock, "big roach clip", take a section of the pad and clamp in the "pliers" start the engine and brush across the slip rings. Quick and easy, a little dangerous. Then install the brush block and wires and try it. If that doesn't work, remove the "+" wire from the brush block and take 12V and just touch the "+" terminal on the brush block for a second. DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING PLUGGED INTO THE GENERATOR WHEN YOU DO THIS! If you have a fluke meter that has the record function, leave it hooked to the A/C output, either 120V or 240V plug set to record when you do this. That will tell you if you have A/C output, it will be unregulated going to max output probably 300V+, keep that in mind. Reconnect your "+" terminal wire back to the brush block, it should have A/C output.
OP
sirweldalot
Well-known member
Thank you very much. I will try that.
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
If you get A/C output but do not after flashing and connecting everything back up, you probably have a bad connection to the VR (Voltage Regulator) or a bad regulator. If you flash it, and do not get A/C output you're screwed, it cost more for the parts than what it was new. If you check the A/C output with it running before you do anything, it should read something low like 1.5-3V when it should read 120V or 3-6V where it should read 240V. If it reads 0V where it should read 120V or 240V make sure you're wearing flash protection when you flash the field, it may have a shorted stator. I had a Pro5000E, if it sat too long it lost the residual magnetism and I'd have to flash the field again. I thought about wiring a momentary switch to flash it without having to pull the end cover off every time. If you run it with a heavy load once a month you don't have problems with them. BTW, this style generator uses the residual magnetism for the excitation, it kinda like wrapping a wire around a steel screwdriver to magnetize it, after a while it loose the magnetism.
Last edited:
38 Dodge Coupe
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sirweldalot,
I have found the resident "experts" on this site quite helpful when it comes to all things Onan. http://www.smokstak.com/
I have found the resident "experts" on this site quite helpful when it comes to all things Onan. http://www.smokstak.com/
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
That's a great site. Just make sure to post in the right spot and post EVERYTHING about the generator. Model/spec/Voltage and serial number. They area very helpful bunch.
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
OP
sirweldalot
Well-known member
I c leaned the slip rings and it now works fine. Thanks eqinefencer for your help.
TheEquineFencer
Well-known member
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Another way to flash most generators is to use a corded drill, plug it in with the generator operating, and lock the drill trigger down and by hand turn the chuck. If it doesn't start running, try turning the drill the other way. Just don't get your hand caught in the chuck.
Charles
Charles