Battery or Generator October 01, 2019, 02:48:09 pm I went to start my generator after not starting or running the Generator for 1 month. It may a thump and seemed to labor before turning over, then started right up. I think it indicated a batterey issue. The unit has factory installed solar and the interior panel indicated 12.8 Volts. After running the generator for 1/2 hour and shutting the generator off, the generator started up right away. The batteries are US batteries 2 years old. I have heard these are not good batterier. What do you think? Thank you. Matt.
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #1 – October 01, 2019, 04:03:11 pm Matt,I wonder where you were when you first noticed the lag in starting the generator. I ask this for a couple of reasons.Our LD (‘15 RB) resides at sea level. It’s exercise is performed at our home. It fires right up every time. On our recent trip to Yellowstone with many hours of charging time on the coach batteries, my first attempt to start the generator was a fail-kind of. I got nothing but a “thump” when I pressed the inside start switch. Giving it a few seconds I tried again. It fired right up and started promptly every time throughout our week long stay at the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake.My assessment of the situation was that either the altitude or the long drive helped to create the situation. Regardless it never happened again. If memory serves, this “lag” occurred one other time while in Big Bear at 6700 foot elevation.Anyway, that’s what happened to me. Hope this helps answer your question. Kent
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #2 – October 01, 2019, 04:27:10 pm It is stored a sea level at my home. But what happened to you in Yellowstone is real similar to what is happening to me. may be a connection between the batterey and generator is compromised. The unit is a 2002. I do not think elevation has to do with it. IThe batteries are 2 6V deep cycle. Thanks for your reply.
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #3 – October 01, 2019, 05:44:36 pm Quote from: Matt Jones - October 01, 2019, 02:48:09 pmI went to start my generator after not starting or running the Generator for 1 month. It made a thump and seemed to labor before turning over, then started right up. The unit has factory installed solar and the interior panel indicated 12.8 Volts. After running the generator for 1/2 hour and shutting the generator off, the generator started up right away.Our generator has always been slow to start, when cold, usually taking two or three tries before it catches, using the priming button each time until the light comes on. Once the generator is hot, it will restart immediately.Next time the generator is started cold, watch the voltmeter while the starter is spinning and see how low the voltage goes.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #4 – October 01, 2019, 06:40:19 pm Always make sure the batteries are topped off with water. I recently had an issue where the generator would stop after being under load for 20 min. I thought the fuel pump on the generator was the problem....nope, not enough water in house batteries was causing generator problems.
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #5 – October 01, 2019, 06:55:17 pm Quote from: jrsl1982 - October 01, 2019, 06:40:19 pmAlways make sure the batteries are topped off with water. I recently had an issue where the generator would stop after being under load for 20 min. I thought the fuel pump on the generator was the problem....nope, not enough water in house batteries was causing generator problems.That's a new one for me, would you mind explaining how low battery water caused your generator to stall, when hot?It's more likely that you have a leaking fuel line or a failing fuel pump.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #6 – October 03, 2019, 11:13:15 am Joseph - I am also curious about the thinking behind your situation. My understanding is the batteries are used to start the generator but not used afterwards. Maybe two things happened at once to cause the symptoms? JaneSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #7 – October 03, 2019, 11:21:10 am Matt What was your battery reading after you had run the generator for a while? 12.8 should have been fine.There are tables that show for 12 volts your state of charge for different voltages - that is numbers not under load as lead acid batteries (and I think AGM) drop as soon as you place a load on them. 12.8 is in good shape. JaneSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #8 – October 03, 2019, 11:27:55 am I left a light on overnight and the voltage read 12.3 V. The generator fired right up. I ran it for 30 min. 2 days ago. So it appears the generator not starting up was related to the generator not being used for a month. I was assuming the batteries were not providing enough juice. Once the generator is running I did not think the condition of the batteries has anything to do with (water level) the operation of the generator.
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #9 – October 03, 2019, 06:04:59 pm "I was assuming the batteries were not providing enough juice."And you could possibly have been correct. If your batteries are allowed to go low to a certain point it will affect whether you can start the generator or not.Should this happen to you I recommend that you start the LD engine. The extra charge current to the house battery will be sufficient to kick the generator to life and thereafter the gennie will take over the task of charging the battery back to normal. 2 Likes
Re: Batterey or Generator Reply #10 – October 04, 2019, 09:44:39 am As always, the battery must be good and charged.Most RV generators do not directly recharge the coach battery.12 volts is used to excite the 120 Volt generator, then ATS has to be work, then the converter has to be good to charge the battery. 1 Likes
Re: Battery or Generator Reply #11 – October 07, 2019, 11:43:02 am FYI. The geanerator continues to have trouble to have trouble turning over initially and than runs fine. I spoke to a guy over the weekend and said it may be the starter motor. He works for for the city of torrance and they operate many Onan generators and have needed to replace many stater motors. He mentioned the starter may have corrosion and replaceing the starter is not difficult.
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Topic: Battery or Generator (Read 394 times)
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