Onan 5KW Generator

Cutter 30124

Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2023
Messages
10
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 CB
Vessel Name
Potomitan
2019 Cutwater CB30

Would anyone have photos or drawings of the Onan 5KW generator (MDKBH) without the enclosure installed? I am trying to figure out where the dipstick tube enters the crankcase. Dipstick broke off, trying to figure out how to remove the "stump".

Thanks!!
 
I see no responses.. wondering what you found out as I believe I did same thing yesterday. gen shut off and shows 2 blinking lights. Low oil pressure…checked oil and believe dipstick broke off as it is ragged at end and does not have fill level indicator. I added a couple ounces, put temporary plug in and started it up and it ran fine. Cannot get the dipstick to go back in
 
Hi Mike
I spent most of yesterday trying to figure out how to access the dipstick tube where it goes into the crankcase. My conclusion is that the front enclosure cover has to be removed for sure. I loosened it up just enough to try to see where the tube goes, but there's an awful lot of components crammed into that generator enclosure, and I really couldn't follow it all the way to the block. In looking at it, I would assume that some of those components would have to be removed in order to get at the tube, not something I am going to tackle myself right now. A mechanic friend of mine did say that it is possible to remove that tube and hopefully the remainder of the dipstick with it. The tube and the dipstick are available as replacement parts from Onan. Another member posted that this happened to him also, but being under warranty, the dealer took care of it. The post didn't mention any procedure or cost estimates. I called a local Onan service center, and the tech told me that this is a common issue with these gennys. He said that now, the only way to know for sure how much oil is in the crank is to drain it, then add the 2.2 quarts the specs call for. Not very helpful, but I guess that's what I'll be doing until I decide if I want to get this fixed! I'll keep at it, and I'll post if I figure anything out. Please do the same if you decide to tackle the problem.

John
 
John,

You may try searching for the service manual online. I tried copying and pasting it here with no luck.

If you need a copy, I can email you one.

Please keep us posted on your progress. My former R29 had that same generator. Ironically, our new American Tug has the identical genny.
 
When I tried to run generator yesterday, it would not stay on…same issue..2 blinking lights for low oil pressure. Probably oil pump or bad sensor. Time to break out another thousand.
 
Tom

That would be great! I have the Parts Manual and the Operator Manual, but no Service Manual. jmoon124@bellsouth.net Here's another question for y'all. The generator starting battery is the Stern Thruster battery switch. While running the generator yesterday after an oil change, I inadvertently turned off this switch and the generator died. Is this supposed to happen? I've got some weird electrical stuff going on, particularly with my shore power leg 1. The leg 1 breaker keeps popping right after hooking up to shore power, as if something (I suspect the battery charger) is drawing too much current. Getting E05 and E01 error messages on the battery charger control panel. This lasts for about 15 minutes then all is fine after the batteries charge for a few minutes. Wondering if, by running the generator I am draining that battery somehow, and causing the charger to work too hard. Could that battery be bad or maybe the charger/inverter? Trying to track down some gremlins, if I know how everything is supposed to work, I can probably determine what's messed up.

Follow up, so I just went down and disconnected the Leg 1 shore power. Charger indicator immediately went to 11.4 volts and within a few minutes was under 11 and I got an E05 code. Shouldn't the inverter run things for awhile before setting off alarms? Plugged leg 1 back in and the problem went away within a few minutes. Starting to think I have a bad battery.

Thanks!
John
 
Cutter 30124":3k46rtp1 said:
Tom

That would be great! I have the Parts Manual and the Operator Manual, but no Service Manual. jmoon124@bellsouth.net Here's another question for y'all. The generator starting battery is the Stern Thruster battery switch. While running the generator yesterday after an oil change, I inadvertently turned off this switch and the generator died. Is this supposed to happen? I've got some weird electrical stuff going on, particularly with my shore power leg 1. The leg 1 breaker keeps popping right after hooking up to shore power, as if something (I suspect the battery charger) is drawing too much current. Getting E05 and E01 error messages on the battery charger control panel. This lasts for about 15 minutes then all is fine after the batteries charge for a few minutes. Wondering if, by running the generator I am draining that battery somehow, and causing the charger to work too hard. Could that battery be bad or maybe the charger/inverter? Trying to track down some gremlins, if I know how everything is supposed to work, I can probably determine what's messed up.

Follow up, so I just went down and disconnected the Leg 1 shore power. Charger indicator immediately went to 11.4 volts and within a few minutes was under 11 and I got an E05 code. Shouldn't the inverter run things for awhile before setting off alarms? Plugged leg 1 back in and the problem went away within a few minutes. Starting to think I have a bad battery.

Thanks!
John

Just emailed you the service manual.
 
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