Generator Hour Meter - Page 2

Cardinal Pilot · 06-28-2013, 10:11 AM

Well, it has reset again, this time to 0.9 hours. Has anyone ever had an issue with the generator hours resetting to zero on their one touch panel? I cannot find anything wrong at the generator end (runs perfectly, no anomalies by visual inspection) nor at the One Touch end. I removed the panel from the wall and inspected the connectors, wiring, and PC boards with nothing obvious showing.

The manufacturer is Precision Circuits who has indicated that they will provide an exchange panel for $109.35 but my concern is what if the resets are not the fault of the panel but elsewhere in the system. Any ideas?

Cardinal Pilot · 07-25-2013, 10:29 AM

I have been in touch with Precision Circuits on this reset problem and they are researching the software version of the one touch panel I have.

On the backside of the One Touch panel is some data on a label. I sent that data (10126HRVr1.02 Rev B11) to Precision Circuits and they replied what it meant:

10126HRVr1.02 Rev B11 translates

10 - 2010 year built
126 - 126th day of the year so end of April
HR - initials of quality tester
Vr1.02 - Software version 1.02
B11 - Hardware version

I am sure that Precision Circuits would like to know of any others having this problem. Please advise on this site of any other resets and I will forward to them as they continue to research this. Thanks,

Cardinal Pilot · 07-26-2013, 09:23 AM

The final solution: Received an email from Precision Circuits today that said in part
'...Version 1.02 does have a bug in the Generator Hour Meter Software.
The fix was made with version 1.09. If you have two weeks where you are not using the RV, please ship us the One Place and we will upgrade it for free. We can usually turn it around in a couple of days, plus shipping time both ways. Also note the Generator hours which should be on the meter and we can preload so that it matches...'

So I will return it later today for upgrade.

lotsoftoys · 08-01-2013, 01:51 PM

There is no hourmeter on 4KY generator. Winnebago puts one inside the motorhome on one of their displays.

frankdamp · 08-01-2013, 04:28 PM

The meter on our '02 Georgetown looks like the old-style electro-mechanical Hobbs meters that GA airplanes have. There's no meter on my 5.5 KVA Onan Emerald Gold gnenerator.

We very rarely use the generator, and I don't think the original owners who sold us the rig did either, It had 48 hours on the meter after 8 years, and we've put another 5 on it in 3 years. I think almost all those hours are the regular exercising routine, not actually being used to power the RV. We put two hours on while running both a/cs at a Eastern WA CG when the outside temp was about 104F.

wa8yxm · 08-02-2013, 04:16 AM

I have never seen an electronic run timer.. The ones I have seen are mechinical clocks, like old car clocks they have a spring wround clock mechnisim and a magnet re-winder. when you start the generator they make a CLICK which you often do not here and start counting... Every minute or so as they run there is another click as the spring re-winds. When you stop the genny, they continue to run till the spring runs down (Which by the way is really a good thing as it more closely reflects the wear on the generator).

No way to reset at all.. SHORT of replacing the meter.

BFlinn181 · 08-02-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

I have never seen an electronic run timer.. The ones I have seen are mechinical clocks.....

I have seen them but understand your wonder, as in, "Wonder what was wrong with the electromechanical clocks?" I first thought this when cars started having digital odometers. I could picture issues that would zero the mileage. I've learned they actually do usually work and retain memory and make rolling it back harder. I still wonder at the need for an 'all in one' reporting panel in an RV where there would be lots of places to tuck an electromechanical hour meter. They don't cost very much and give an accurate indicator when it's time to service the generator. If I had issues with the digital meter, I'd certainly add an inexpensive electromechanical one.

jerichorick · 08-02-2013, 04:49 PM

If I am correct, Onan has an onboard computer that is separate from the external hour meter. It records everything about the generator. Call Cummins and ask them for help on this. You may have a dealer/service center nearby who can answer your questions.

When I was a power tech for the phone co I often visited Cummins. They were great about answering questions. You may need service to resolve this problem. In any case, the above post about oil and filter change may not be a bad idea.