Generator woes

[Blazing MX]

Though most of you probably have a newer model generator than I do and may not have the same type of cranking system as mine, hopefully I can save the ones that do a little time and aggrivation. My RV has an 18 year old Onan Genset in it. New Years Eve all was well, generator ran for alomost 12 hours without a hickup then all of a sudden it went dead. At first I thought the solonoid had gone out, it's happened to me before. I replaced it but still nothing. After hours of trouble-shooting I figured everything checked out okay but still didn't work, only click. My particular Onan doesn't have a starter, it has an exciter that creates a DC current the generator which spins the motor over for cranking. I had voltage up to the point where the wires go to the brushes and was quite baffled. Turns out the wires attatched to the DC brushes were corroded and loosing continuity. A short wiggle and I am good to go. I will of course p/u new brushes Monday.

BTW, the reason for this post is because no where in any trouble shooting guide does it give any indication that a problem could exist here.