Just purchased a 90 model Barth 32 ft. Regal w/cummins engine a 4 speed auto. This is on a Spartan Chassis. GenSet runs and then shuts off in a short period of time. Seems over temp, but temp gauge does not work. Has a lot of electrical gremlins that I need to figure out. You all are the experts and know what the little idosyscracies of these machines I need to know about. I love the machine, it cruises down the road with the best of them. Although acceleration from stop is pretty slow. Is there anything to do for this? Throttle linkage an issue since this is a pusher? I will post pix soon, but need to get all you Barthites to help a guy out. So any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance......

Welcome Clancy.

What is the Genset? Make, size, fuel?

Have you driven a diesel pusher before? It's not going to be a rocket and there is little to be done about it that would not compromise reliability. See if you can take a spin in a similar vintage Spartan chassis with the same engine combo. I'll bet it's just something you need to get used to.

What electrical gremlins?

7.5 kw diesel genset in this unit. Can't seem to get the aux fans for cooling system and genset fan to come on. I have had other motor homes in the past but nothing like this. As far as the pusher goes, I have never driven one before so if this is the way it is so be it. The only spartan chassis I have driven were firetrucks with conventional drivetrain. JUst give me a heads up on anything you think would be useful. I certainly appreciate it. Again this is a great machine and I want to be able to take proper care of it and treat it the way it treats me cruising down the road.....

I'm suspicious about a diesel genset overheating in a short period of time. What is short period of time?

My old Kohler did this because the generator was not putting out 110V on both legs. That was a costly repair, but there are plenty of other things that can tell the control panel to shut it down.

While it runs, can you verify it's outputting 220V?

Is you fuel tank high enough for the pickup tube? The genset pickup is purposefully higher than the main engine so that it doesn't leave you stranded. Do you have a manual? What brand generator?

I can comment as to performance. I am also a new owner after seven years as a non-owner on the site. My engine/chassis configuration is probably about the same -- Cummins B5.9 190hp in EC-2000 Spartan chassis. It is QUITE under-powered. Later 230hp version mated to Allison World 6 speed must be much better. Do not expect to cruise above 60mph. Do not expect to maintain speed uphill. Do not expect to merge or pass in a moderate distance. Carry a couple spare FS1242 primary fuel filters (think that is the number)because dirty one will slow you Down even
more.

Clancy, welcome to the forums! You most likely have a 32' Regency withe a Cummins 8.3L TD; there is a 33' pusher (Breakaway) with the 5.9L Cummins, but it's uncommon for them not to have a propane genset. However, no 2 Barths are the same, and any configuration is possible.

If indeed you have a Regency, you may have an air throttle. Throttle cable problems are very rare.

As to the genset issues, Moonbeam mentions the two most likely issues.

And as bill h says, "Diesels do not accelerate, they gather momentum."

quote:

Originally posted by Clancy B:
So any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance......

Welcome to our website.

It sounds like it is probably a Regency if it has a diesel generator - propane would likely make it a Breakaway.

Can you supply us a picture of your coach and one of the data tag that is located around the drivers side - side window usually behind the curtain track but it could also be on a cabinet in the same area. This will tell us what you've got there.

Sounds to me like the electric cooling fan on your Onan is not coming on when the coolant gets up to temperature. The genny runs for a short time until it heats up the coolant enough to cause the unit to automatically shut down to prevent overheating.
Check relay R10 in your electrical compartment for corrosion, that is the one for the genny cooling fan. On our coach it is the one on the bottom row, far right side. It should come on by simply pushing on it to close the contacts. If no joy try dressing the contacts with a points file or some fine sandpaper.
Hope this helps.
Don