Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Class A Motorhomes: Generator Question


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MarkLI

Avon, IN

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Posted: 03/10/10 01:38pm

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Today I needed to Jump Start my MH. After starting I fired up the generator all was fine until I turned off the MH engine. After a minute or so the generator stopped running. My question is does the generator need the chassis battery to be fully charged in order to keep running? I have not had the chance to check the fault codes yet...will do that this weekend.

Thanks

Mark

2009 Fleetwood Terra 34B

SCVJeff

Santa Clarita, CA.

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Posted: 03/10/10 01:41pm

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How cold is it there? If the battery drained, it's possible it also froze and won't take a charge.

Jeff - WA6EQU
'06 Itasca Meridian 34H, CAT C7/350

MarkLI

Avon, IN

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Posted: 03/10/10 02:07pm

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The gas tank is about half full. Also, it is quite posible that the battery froze (too long a story to go into here...lol)but the generator runs fine when the MH engine is running. When I shut down the MH the Genny stops about a minute later.

MD

427435

Rochester, Mn

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Posted: 03/10/10 01:52pm

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Is your gas tank over half full? If around a 1/4 tank, the genset may have run out of fuel.

Mark

2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U on a Ford chassis, 65,000 miles
2003 Ford Explorer toad with US Gear brakes,
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Tinstar

McKinney, TX

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Posted: 03/10/10 02:12pm

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How long did you allow the engine to run before you killed it and will the genset start and run if you crank the engine again?

On Edit: FYI, I just found this on the web: Some of the generators require a 12v power source to continue to run. If this Generator is wired to the house or secondary battery and it is low, that could be the problem, with the chasis engine running, the isolater may be charging somewhat. Check all of your battery connections and make sure they are all clean and tight from the Generator to the battery

* This post was edited 03/10/10 02:20pm by Tinstar *

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XBoater

Lunenburg MA

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Posted: 03/10/10 04:56pm

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Are your house batteries dead ? The Onan in my Winnebago would not run if the house batteries are disconnected. I was cleaning the terminals during a spring commissioning and the generator was running. When I removed the battery cable, the generator shutdown. I think the fuel pump needs the battery power and does not run off the 12v from engine.

2004 Tiffin Phaeton 40 QDH
Freightliner, Cat C-7
PT 'Vert w/Dolly

MarkLI

Avon, IN

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Posted: 03/10/10 06:04pm

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That would explain why it ran fine when the engine was running (alternator supplied 12 v). After shutting the engine down genny quit...chassis battery was only charged to about 11.8 volts.