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Thanks for the help and encouragement. I’ll see what I can do and let you know the results.

I read through the troubleshooting, excellent info there especially if you know what you’re doing. It seems like the excitation circuit breaker is doing its job - sensing hi voltage, dropping it back to 6volts and then resetting itself. I assume this happens after power goes through the voltage regulator (?). So the regulator is either not sensing the high voltage or malfunctioning and sending the high voltage along the line anyway. The guide mentions the red led on the regulator (pg 10), I’ll have to take a look and see what the status of that is. It was pouring rain when I got home this afternoon so couldn’t really do anything.

It is a Series Q-55G, with controller circuit board 92234. I kind of understand some of what you’re saying about the field boost, excitation circuit. It seems like the excitation circuit is going too high, 160 instead of 120, and then kicking itself back down to the field boost of 6 volts. I guess the question is why it isn’t just going to 120 and holding there. I do have limited testing equipment and abilities so don’t know if I can nail down what the actual cause of this is. I will double check and clean the connections as suggested and take a look at the troubleshooting charts. I probably won’t be able to get to that until this evening. The other problem may be finding a service tech, i do know that Generac doesn’t support their old RV generators anymore and won’t offer even the simplest help over the phone. Thanks again for all the time and effort you guys are putting into this, I realize there’s only so much you can do to help get this fixed remotely.

I checked the voltage at the outlet wired to the generator, measuring between both L1/L2 and neutral. I wasn’t able to open the link to the service manual, can you post that again, Kirk? Thanks

I’m electrically disabled but learning so bear with me... It runs at 6 volts for about 30 seconds, spikes to 160 for about 10 seconds then drops back down to 6. This cycle is pretty consistent. i just tested L1 to L2 as John T suggested, got 0.00 reading on the meter, switches to -0.00 when it cycles to 160 v. Maybe that reading is telling us something? I don’t know if it’s a floating or bonded neutral, wouldn’t know how to tell the difference. I checked the wiring in the box, ground to frame, everything under the access panel and everything seemed to be tight and relatively clean. I don’t think I have a way to check frequency, pretty sure a multi-meter doesn’t do it. My EMS reads frequency but it shuts down before it cycles through the readings. It doesn’t seem to be running faster than normal and yes, this is a new issue. I just did an oil change about 6 weeks ago and ran it under load for 30-45 minutes at that time with no problems. I exercise it regularly as recommended. I had an issue with slightly low voltage about 2 years ago but corrected that easily by adjusting the regulator. Thanks guys!

At the 50 amp outlet the generator is wired to. Both legs acted the same.

I have a Generac 55G in an 02 National RV. I went to use it yesterday but my Progressive EMS flashed a voltage of 160 on the display before shutting down due to the high voltage error. I checked it today with my meter and it showed the voltage sitting at 6 volts for 30 seconds or so before spiking to 160 and then returning to 6volts. It runs smoothly but sounds like it’s under a load before the voltage spikes. There is no transfer switch involved, the generator is wired to a 50 amp outlet in the electric bay which I would plug my shore cord into. I think my EMS saved my bacon, can’t imagine what would have been fried by 160 volts if it had passed through to the rest of the coach. Some brief research is pointing me towards the voltage regulator, what do those with more electrical knowledge think? Thank you!

Looks like we should start making up a bag for Goodwill. Most of the stuff in the bins hasn’t been used in 2 years.

We recently had the opportunity to go through some of our more formal and cold weather clothing that was stored in plastic bins both inside the rig and in the storage bay. We were disappointed to find mold setting in on some of it especially shoes, belts but also winter coats and dresses. How can we prevent this in the future?

Sounds like you might be at Gray’s Point or Bethpage? From what I’ve heard of those two you’ll enjoy the Forestry Center MUCH more!

The New Kent facility harvests pine cones which provide the seeds for new seedlings. It is an interesting operation and we sometimes get involved in some aspects of that. There has also been an educational aspect where school groups would come in to experience the various habitats that exist on the property but that is reporetedly ending and being moved elsewhere.

Awesome workamping opportunity near Richmond, VA. Volunteers needed at New Kent Forestry Center, Virginia Department of Forestry. Located halfway between Richmond and Williamsburg in Providence Forge, VA this volunteer position requires 10 hrs per person per week in exchange for a full hook up site. The volunteer campground is located in a scenic and quiet section of the property with lots of birds and wildlife. Access to the Chicahominy River for canoes or kayaks on the property. Work mostly involves mowing grass around offices with zero turn mowers and in pine orchards with farm tractor and brush hog. Women help out in office and conference center with cleaning, filing and other projects. The staff is very friendly, easygoing and great to get along with. This is a low stress volunteer position. Time commitment is anything from a month to a full season. The area has no end of things to do and see, the area is loaded with colonial, revolutionary war and Civil War history sites. Shopping, restaurants, nightlife in both Richmond and Williamsburg. About 1.5 hours to Virginia Beach. Groceries and basics also available in Providence Forge. We have been volunteering there for 3 years now and will definitely be back in the future. Feel free to contact us for more info or contact Jeff Stout or Lisa Burke at the Forestry Center at 804.966.2201.

UPDATE: After a week or so my heater went back to the same intermittent mis-firing. I went through all the connections and adjustments again without much improvement. In the meantime, I discovered my converter was bad and had run down the batteries. I am wondering if low voltage on the batteries couldn't provide enough juice to get a nice spark at the water heater even though my 12V lights and accessories were working normally. Since replacing the converter the water heater has been flawless with immediate ignition whenever I turn the switch on. Thoughts?

I seem to have solved my problem with the water heater, it has been working normally for the past week. The last thing I did was clean the ground and re tighten. I also adjusted the position of the new igniter tip closer to the end of the burner tube. Thanks for all the help and suggestions, it was more frustrating than difficult but following all the tips here should get most heaters up and running again.

Yes, the lights on the switch are working as they should. The last thing I did was clean and tighten the ground and reseat the plug on the board, have had normal operation for two days in a row. Maybe I hit on the right combination somehow. I'll let you know if this continues.

Yes, I have installed a brand new igniter with same results as the old one. I will recheck the gap and position. One thing I have possibly noticed is the heater will work more normally on a rainy day or damp morning, leading me to think there is a poor connection somewhere that the moisture in the air improves. I tried some dielectric grease on the igniter connection but that didn't seem to make a difference. I don't think using the grease on the board connection and plug would be a good idea. I also need to remove the ground screw and scrape down to bare metal. Running out of ideas but hate to buy a new board if that's not the problem. I checked out the Dinosaur website but didn't see any Atwood parts listed, can someone provide a link. Thanks

I am also having problems with this same model water heater. Mine has an intermittent problem igniting. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes will light after several tries. It will light every time if I shove a clicker into the burner tube to use as a pilot and has a perfect flame once it's going. Sometimes it will relight on its own when it calls for another heating cycle. I have replaced the igniter hoping for a relatively inexpensive fix but it acts the same with the new igniter. I have checked the connections and cleaned the terminals on the control board as suggested here. Could the board be intermittently bad? I would think it either works or doesn't work. Any suggestions on what I could try from here? Thanks

I use a Magic Eraser. Mold, dirt wipe off easily and no chemicals needed. Just give it a quick rinse with the hose after wiping clean.

We're heading out in April, debt free and hoping to get by on 40k or less, it will be interesting to see how we do.

Planning on being on the road spring of 16. Spent the day cleaning out the attic. 3 piles- trash, tag sale/ eBay, keep. A small but important step for us, we're on our way!