HomeCummins/OnanCummins/Onan 5KW GO

Cummins/Onan 5KW GO Generator Set

The Cummins/Onan 5KW GO is a 5 kW gasoline standby generator set powered by a Continental Red Seal engine. It is available at 110 V and 115 V, single-phase and 60 Hz.

5 kW
Standby
1
Document types

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Specifications

Fuelgasoline
Frequency60.0 Hz
Standby power5 kW
Prime power5 kW
Voltage options110 V, 115 V
Phasesingle
Battery voltage12 V
Battery quantity1

Engine

Continental Red Seal
Rated speed1800 rpm

Maintenance & consumables

for the Continental Red Seal
ItemSpecCapacityPart #Interval
Air filterOil bath air cleaner find
Fuel filterFuel pump filter screen find
Oil filterFilter element cartridge find
CoolantEngine coolant for radiator11.0 quarts
OilUndiluted engine oil for crankcase3.0 quarts50 hr

Common questions

What is the power rating of the Cummins/Onan 5KW GO?

The Cummins/Onan 5KW GO is rated 5 kW standby.

What engine does the Cummins/Onan 5KW GO use?

The Cummins/Onan 5KW GO is powered by the Continental Red Seal engine.

What fuel does the Cummins/Onan 5KW GO use?

The Cummins/Onan 5KW GO runs on gasoline.

Troubleshooting

22

Symptoms & remedies

SymptomCauseRemedy
Generator overheatingOverloaded. Brush rig out of position.Reduce load. Be sure to line up marks. See Brush Rig.
Voltage drops under heavy loadEngine lacks power. See remedies for engine mising under heavy load. Poor compression. Tighten cylinder head and spark Plugs. If still not corrected, grind the valves. Replace piston rings, if necessary.See MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
Engine misfires at light loadCarburetor idle adjustment set wrong or clogged. Spark plug gaps too narrow. Adjust to correct gap. Refer ta TABLE OF CLEARANCES. Intake air leak. Tighten or replace gaskets. Faulty ignition. Clean, adjust, or replace breaker points, plugs, condenser, coil, etc., or retime ignition, Uneven compression. Tighten cylinder head and spark plugs. If still not corrected, grind valves. Replace piston rings, if necessary.
Engine misfires at all loadsFouled spark plug. Defective or wrong spark plug. Sticking valves. Broken valve spring. Defective ignition wires. Defective or improperly adjusted paints.Clean and adjust, Replace, Clean stems and guides. Replace. Adjust or replace breaker points. See Periodic Service - Weekly.
Low oil pressureToo long screw on center main bearing. Oil too light. Oil badly diluted. Oil level too low. Oil relief valve not seating. Badly worn bearings.See MAIN BEARINGS. Drain, refill with proper oil. See PREPARATION. Drain, refill with proper oil. Add oil. Remove and clean, or replace. See LUBRICATION SYSTEM. Replace. See MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
Plant starts but does not continue to runSTART button released too soon. Defective panel equipment.Hold in contact longer. See Controls.
Engine backfires at carburetorLean fuel mixture. Clogged fuel screen. Intake air leak. Poor fuel. Spark too late. Spark plug wires crossed. Intake valves leaking.Clean carburetor. Clean screen. Replace flange gaskets, tighten carburetor. Refill with good, fresh fuel. Retime ignition. See IGNITION TIMING. Install wires correctly. See IGNITION TIMING. Grind or replace. See VALVE SERVICE.
Excessive oil consumption, light blue smoky exhaustWorn piston rings, Install new piston rings. See PISTON RING REPLACEMENT.
Oil leaks from engine or connectionsThis does not cause smoky exhaust, e.g., oil leaks from engine or connections. Replace gaskets or leaking tubing. Tighten screws and connections.
Oil too light or dilutedDrain, refill with correct oil. See PREPARATION.
Too large bearing clearancesReplace bearings. See MAIN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
Oil pressure too highRefer to symptoms of high oil pressure for remedies.
Breather cap cloggedClean-See CRANKCASE VENTILATION.
Engine runs but current does not build upPoor brush contact or dirty commutator or slip rings.See that brushes seat well, are free in holders, are not worn too short, and have good spring tension. Open circuit, short circuit, or ground in generator. See GENERATOR, replace part necessary.
Current steady but engine not misfiringSpeed too low.Adjust governor to correct speed.
Tapping soundTappet clearance too great.Adjust or replace tappets.
Hollow clicking sound with cool engine under loadIf noisy only slight and disappears when engine warms up, ho immediate attention needed. Otherwise replace worn parts.Loose pistons.
Voltage low at far end of line but normal near power unitToo small line wire for load and distance.Install larger or extra wires or reduce load.
Motors run too slowly and overheat at far end of line but ok near power unitToo small line wire for load and distance.Install larger or extra wires, or reduce load.
Noisy brushesHigh mica between bars of commutator, ATOR.Undercut mica. See GENERATOR.
Excessive arcing of brushesRough commutator or rings.Turn down, Clean. See GENERATOR.
Engine overheatingLow water in radiator.Refill radiator.

Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.

Available documents

Service manual — 903-0000 Onan 5KW GO Genset Operator's & Service manual (1945) (Cummins/Onan)