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Before I take more involved actions, I wanted to make sure that I have taken the right troubleshooting order.

Normally I start the generator, engine, and aqua hot monthly and warm up a bit even though for much of the year we start at 100F and go up from there in Phoenix.

I have never had an issue with the generator starting and it always fired right up.  This generator has seen moderate use prior to me purchasing and has about 1500hrs on it.  I have not really used it much, and now even much less now that I have 2400W of Solar on the roof.

But this month, the generator does not start.  It cranks fairly well from what I can tell, and the batteries have enough juice to start the main engine. I have the generator hooked up to the engine start batteries since the 48V lithium house batteries have been installed.  I have had it that way for over 2 years now, and it never presented any problems.  

The generator is the 20KW Kohler, 1998 coach 500.

Here are some of the things I have checked so far:

1. Initially tried to bleed/prime the fuel system on top of the fuel filter.  However I found out that the prime switch electrical connections to the fuel pump were intermittently connected at the "snap on" wire splice (I always hated those).  That that is right before the fuel pump electrical connection.  I have removed the splice and soldered in new wires.  The prime function now works and I could bleed the system consistently.  I am not going to say the pressure in the system was high, but fuel did flow with the screw backed out about 1 turn. No air came out, only fuel.  This did nothing for my start problem.
   
2. I changed the fuel filter and the air filter.  I did not change the water separator filter, the viewing bowl seemed clean and I did not have a spare.  All fuel I have seen looks good and has no odd smell, even though it is 9 months old.  The tank is full.   After changing the fuel filter, I bled/primed the system at the filter housing screw on top until no bubbles appeared.  I am guessing I pumped out 2-3 oz out of the bleeder screw.  The air filter was dirty, but not horrible.  Again, engine turned over, but did not fire at all.  I cranked longer than usual, just in case there was some air trapped above the filter.
   
3. I took a short cut to verify that the all of the safety systems were not activated  (overtemp, oil pressure, fire extinguisher) by hooking my volt meter up to the fuel pump electrical connection.  When I crank the generator, the fuel pump does get power.  With cranking noise I cannot tell if pump is on, but I imagine that it is since it has power.   Again crank but no start.
   
4. The voltage to the fuel pump during cranking was about 9.8V.  Maybe that is expected while cranking but it did feel lower than I had imagined
   
5. The fuse to the fuel pump is good as checked with continuity
   
6. Radiator is full
   

My current thought was to replace the fuel pump, but wanted to ask the crew if I missed any obvious troubleshooting steps.  Possibly I could hook up a fuel pressure gauge to verify pressure, but I am uncertain if the pressure at the bleed screw is what is delivered to the injectors as it may be on a line back to the tank???

Thanks for reading the entire post!

Today i have purchased coach number 435. Im now a proud Newell owner. This coach has been located in Anchorage Alaska since 2014. I saw this sscreaming deal on FBMarketplace and had to pull the trigger. That said, this coach was broken into about 5 years ago and the inverter was stolen and wires were cut undeneath. I have already sourced and ordered the new inverter and its on the way. I might need som assistance in figuring out the rest of the inverter wires that were cut.                 

Hey yall, been out for a few years, just washed the dust off my 77 and had a mishap and looking for a rear bumper. Anyone know where to find one or where they were sourced? 
 Thank you for any leads

I wish to say a very heartfelt thank you to Tom and Darlene McCloud in Wittmann, AZ. After a half dozen years of research we decided to take he plunge and purchase 2003 Newell coach 646 from Cassones RV in Mesa AZ. This our first coach. Tom was a wealth of information and wisdom before the purchase, he and his wonderful wife Darlene welcomed us into their home, provided warm friendship, fabulous conversation and more information about the Newell coaches that we could absorb.. What an amazing home and shop! Once the coach is ready we will begin our journey back to Florida. 

Tom and Darlene, thank you! We are looking forward to many miles and adventures of exploration in our new home away from home.

Dave and Tammy Sinnott
2003 Newell Coach 646

Morning all, new to the Newell family, I am based out of Southern Ontario, Canada. Looking forward to some great advice and help from all of you.

It has been my practice to offload the generator for a short while prior to shutting it down reducing loading significantly thereby letting things cool down and get a breather.

However, after I upgraded to lithium batteries and added and auto gen start/stop logic to the victron GX it seems that the challenge is much more difficult and I have not been using that functionality.

The big loads on the system are the a/c systems, Aquahot if on electric heat, and battery charging.  

The normal automatic logic is to turn the generator on when the battery gets low, and turns off at some point higher without regard to loading.

How important is my initial assessment/process to all of the systems, considering the only time I would want this functionality is while boondocking (my normal)?

My post in  reference to the value of features a the sales price of various years of coaches was deleted?!?! Did I violate some rule? If so,I’m sorry I had no intention of causing problems.  Additionally, there was no message from moderators explaining why my post was deleted.  Any explanation or reason would be great so that I may watch my step in the future.

Just finished servicing my aquahot and noticed that the hangar for the pipe the goes across to the driver's side and then up into the roof pip is broken. Har to tell what it looked like. Anyone know where to get one or even what it is?

It's about midway on the pipe span.

Thanks!

We still have the original AC units in the coach - whic AC (front or rear) would have the least amount of amperage draw please? We are in a storage bldg with 30-amp service and don’t want to blow the breaker…

Hi,

I am Tom McCloud and I started and own and operate the forum.   I wanted to thank all of you who have been part of it and the life of Darlene and I.  I talk to, text, email or chat with at least one of you almost every day and it is always a bright spot.  

When we started the group Darlene picked the motto of Friends Helping Friends and that could not be more true.  I cannot begin to tell you how many people have been helped by you.  From people who were injured and needed a friend, to people broken down to just those that needed to talk to someone.  Thank you.

I looked in my phone directory and i had over 120 saved contact numbers of newell friends.  and then there are the foretravel and other coach friends.  

I keep in touch with the newell factory management and they are appreciative of the help we give each other as well.

we have had so many of you stay at our home and we enjoy it a great deal.  i have been able to help alot of you and then in turn be helped in working on our amazing rigs as well.  

Darlene and I started NewellGurus in 2012 and the time has flown by.  I often get asked if folks can contribute to the operating costs and the answer is NO.  I have never and will never ask for a single cent from any of you.  Our son Scott handles the server work and I and my amazing fellow admins and moderators take care of the rest.  

I have often heard that NewellGurus is one of the most pleasant and nice forums people have used.  We watch closely and do not allow any contension or harsh words.  

You'all are amazing and we appreciate your friendship and support.

Thanks again

Tom