Gencon Board

[David Brady]

Hi Wes,

On my Blue Bird, the generator often doesn't start the first time.
It seems that the pulse to the fuel solenoid is too short. I called
Powertech and they said most likely the fuel solenoid is not being
held on long enough for the oil pressure to build. If I start the
coach manually she starts every time. The gencon board, on the
other hand, often has to try 3 or 4 times. Is there a potentiometer
or something that I can use to lengthen the pulse on the Start
signal?

Thanks,
David Brady
'02 LXi
>

[lwesthaver1958]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady
wrote:
>
> Hi Wes,
>
> On my Blue Bird, the generator often doesn't start the first time.
> It seems that the pulse to the fuel solenoid is too short. I called
> Powertech and they said most likely the fuel solenoid is not being
> held on long enough for the oil pressure to build. If I start the
> coach manually she starts every time. The gencon board, on the
> other hand, often has to try 3 or 4 times. Is there a potentiometer
> or something that I can use to lengthen the pulse on the Start
> signal?
>
> Thanks,
> David Brady
> '02 LXi
> >
>

David, the GenCon board holds the pre-heat (glow plugs) ON for 3
seconds after the generator has started. Holding the glow-plugs ON
also keeps the fuel solenoid ON. Ordinarily, by the time the engine
has been running for 3 seconds, the oil pressure has risen to
operating pressure and that holds the fuel pressure solenoid ON even
after the GenCon has turned the glow-plugs OFF.

In the event that the generator oil pressure has not risen to
operating pressure within 3 seconds of starting, and the GenCon
turns the glow-plugs OFF, the generator will stop.

Having said all of that, if this sounds like what you are
experiencing, we can reprogram your GenCon to keep the glow-plugs ON
longer, thus keeping the fuel solenoid ON until the oil pressure
comes up to proper operating pressure.

Are you running PTSCON-F.HEX firmware on your GenCon board?

I'll have to ask Westhaver Sr. what the fee is for the
reprogramming. I'll let you know something as soon as you confirm
what firmware you are running on your GenCon.

Wes Westhaver
443-538-7819
Westhaver Associates, Inc.
Recreational Vehicle Products
http://www.westhaverassociates.com

[John Suter]

Hi David,

I just read Wes's response and wanted to pass on
another experience to you.
As one or more glow plugs on the Gen burn out, the
Gen takes increasingly longer to start. In my case,
simply checking for and replacing a burned out plug
solved the problem.
I should have guessed the GenCon had a pre-heat
role, but it never dawned on me, so I'm glad you asked
and Wes answered. One more "bit" to add to ye ole
knowledge base.

John Suter
2000LXi

--- David Brady wrote:

> Hi Wes,
>
> On my Blue Bird, the generator often doesn't start
> the first time.
> It seems that the pulse to the fuel solenoid is too
> short. I called
> Powertech and they said most likely the fuel
> solenoid is not being
> held on long enough for the oil pressure to build.
> If I start the
> coach manually she starts every time. The gencon
> board, on the
> other hand, often has to try 3 or 4 times. Is there
> a potentiometer
> or something that I can use to lengthen the pulse on
> the Start
> signal?
>
> Thanks,
> David Brady
> '02 LXi
> >
>
>


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[David Brady]

Thanks John, I think I'll start by replacing the glow plugs.
Are they easily accessible and replaced by a shade-tree
mechanic?

David Brady
'02 LXi, Smokey
Va

John Suter wrote:
> Hi David,
>
> I just read Wes's response and wanted to pass on
> another experience to you.
> As one or more glow plugs on the Gen burn out, the
> Gen takes increasingly longer to start. In my case,
> simply checking for and replacing a burned out plug
> solved the problem.
> I should have guessed the GenCon had a pre-heat
> role, but it never dawned on me, so I'm glad you asked
> and Wes answered. One more "bit" to add to ye ole
> knowledge base.
>
> John Suter
> 2000LXi
>
>
>
>
>

[David Brady]

Thanks Wes, this helps a great deal.

best regards,
David Brady
'02 LXi, Smokey
Va

lwesthaver1958 wrote:
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Wes,
>>
>> On my Blue Bird, the generator often doesn't start the first time.
>> It seems that the pulse to the fuel solenoid is too short. I called
>> Powertech and they said most likely the fuel solenoid is not being
>> held on long enough for the oil pressure to build. If I start the
>> coach manually she starts every time. The gencon board, on the
>> other hand, often has to try 3 or 4 times. Is there a potentiometer
>> or something that I can use to lengthen the pulse on the Start
>> signal?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> David Brady
>> '02 LXi
>>
>
> David, the GenCon board holds the pre-heat (glow plugs) ON for 3
> seconds after the generator has started. Holding the glow-plugs ON
> also keeps the fuel solenoid ON. Ordinarily, by the time the engine
> has been running for 3 seconds, the oil pressure has risen to
> operating pressure and that holds the fuel pressure solenoid ON even
> after the GenCon has turned the glow-plugs OFF.
>
> In the event that the generator oil pressure has not risen to
> operating pressure within 3 seconds of starting, and the GenCon
> turns the glow-plugs OFF, the generator will stop.
>
> Having said all of that, if this sounds like what you are
> experiencing, we can reprogram your GenCon to keep the glow-plugs ON
> longer, thus keeping the fuel solenoid ON until the oil pressure
> comes up to proper operating pressure.
>
> Are you running PTSCON-F.HEX firmware on your GenCon board?
>
> I'll have to ask Westhaver Sr. what the fee is for the
> reprogramming. I'll let you know something as soon as you confirm
> what firmware you are running on your GenCon.
>
> Wes Westhaver
> 443-538-7819
> Westhaver Associates, Inc.
> Recreational Vehicle Products
> http://www.westhaverassociates.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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