Snowfether
Janesville, Wisconsin
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Joined: 06/13/2009
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My 1995 Newmar (just got it Thursday and learning like crazy) smelled so bad tonight after I turned on the generator. It smelled like bad breath. I don't think we can even stay in it and here we were planning our first trip this weekend.
I don't know a thing about generators but wish I did. Can anyone shed any light on this? Oh! Also, earlier tonight certain overhead lights starting flashing, then I could smell this odor...kind of like overheating but not a burning smell.
Any clues?
Lacy
1995 Newmar Kountry Aire
We named her "Lacy Lucy"..."Lucy" for short
She's been a member of our family just a short time...since 10/31/09
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JimM68
Yorkville, Illinois
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Joined: 05/03/2009
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My best uneducated guess is you got a critter in your genset, probably long dead and medium well done about now.
Jim M.
1999 Fleetwood PAce Arrow Vision
36 ft, Ford F53 chassis, v10, my first moho
The "68"
My other home Team Camaro
My new blog
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Snowfether
Janesville, Wisconsin
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Jim....that was my original thought too...that it was a critter, but it's not really a "dead" smell....more of a burning or hot smell. Sure hope/wish it would be that simple. Not sure what to think right now. Looks like I might have to take it somewhere already. Drat!
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J Walker
Oakton, Va
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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Putting your symptoms together, you could have some very hot electrical wire or component. Some foul smells can come from them. It might be hard to localize, but turning on one thing at a time might help. Your flickering light would be the first thing to check.
Jim Walker
2000 34' Damon Ultrasport DP
2009 Malibu
Brake Buddy
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WadenCeeJay
Spring, Texas
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Lacy,
We heard so many weird noises and smelled so many weird smells on the first few
days of our trip home. It was such a surreal experience.
I'll never forget the first time the fan kicked on to cool the engine down while
we were climbing a particularly tall hill... the look we gave each other was priceless.
Here we are in the middle of nowhere, driving a vehicle we know nothing about...
Good times, good times.
Good luck finding it!
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Snowfether
Janesville, Wisconsin
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Wade...so nice to hear from you! I thought of you today when I smelled that smell (hmmmm, somehow that didn't come out right...oh well).... and wondered how you were. I've told DH your story so many times he think she knows you now!! You sure were brave to make that trip in an unknown coach!
Lacy
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Dynasty40
Northern California
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Joined: 02/07/2008
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Snowfether wrote:My 1995 Newmar (just got it Thursday and learning like crazy) smelled so bad tonight after I turned on the generator. It smelled like bad breath. I don't think we can even stay in it and here we were planning our first trip this weekend.
I don't know a thing about generators but wish I did. Can anyone shed any light on this? Oh! Also, earlier tonight certain overhead lights starting flashing, then I could smell this odor...kind of like overheating but not a burning smell.
Any clues?
Lacy
Lacy, help us out here. You talk about two things. Since the overhead lights started flashing first, tell us what you were doing. Was the coach plugged in to AC or were you on DC? As I read your post, you turned on the overhead lights and smelled the odor. Later you cranked up the genset and the odor became more pronounced. Is this correct? How long between the light flashing and the genset? Sounds like you might have a fried battery. If that is the case, be VERY CAREFUL opening the battery compartment. A battery that is ready to explode is not something to take lightly. Smell around the OUTSIDE of the battery compartment and see if the odor is stronger there. If the battery is done, wear rubber gloves and goggles and remove it carefully. My guess is you're smelling battery acid. Let us know what you find out....Dennis
Dennis and Debi
Monaco Dynasty Baron 40PFD
Towing a Chevy HHR W/
ReadyBrute
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Bigburd
Tennessee
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WadenCeeJay wrote:Lacy,
I'll never forget the first time the fan kicked on to cool the engine down while we were climbing a particularly tall hill... the look we gave each other was priceless. Here we are in the middle of nowhere, driving a vehicle we know nothing about...
Good times, good times.
I can relate. Ford needs to tell customers about that fan noise, scared the %$*& out of us.
07' Ford F-250 SD 6.0L
08' Keystone Sprinter 250 RBS
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newxmar
East Otis, MA
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Bet the lights flashing were 12 volt which indicates a battery or battery connection problem. My motorhome does this and the cure is cleaning the terminals. Check battery water level and check the acid with a hydrometer. Clean the terminals. Also check age of batteries.
The generator is 120 volt, have a generator shop check it out and service it.
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1fastdad
mo.
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Have you checked the battery water. If the batterys are dry they will give off a real fowl oder when they are charging. If they are dry I would suggest you replace them.
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