Generator Start Problem

[GearyB]

We recently bought a 2011 Tour 42qd. It's been parked for about a month. I start the engine every week to keep batteries up. Engine starts easily. Today I tried to start the generator. Voltage on house and engine batteries was 13.5. Genset turned over a couple times then nothing. I checked the house battery voltage again. 12.5. Tried to start the generator again, same result. The motor was running and the alternator slowly charged the house batteries back up but the generator refused to start. It did start about 3 weeks ago, but it turned over very slowly before it caught. So, ideas? Do I have bad house batteries or a bad generator starter or something else? Where do I start looking?

[BFlinn181]

Did you try using the battery 'boost' switch on the dash that ties the house and chassis batteries together for 'emergency' starting? If you still don't get a faster starting attempt, you might try removing and cleaning all contacts in the generator starting circuits, including grounds.

You might check out the current discussion on another thread about starting and idling the engine periodically.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/exer...gs-328193.html

A diesel engine will not get up to operating temperature at even fast idle, so it does more harm to start it each week than let it sit.

[lwasouth]

You must use the prime button ( Stop button) for a minute of 2 and then try to start. Your furl system has probably leaked down. Do you have a quarter tank or more

[SuperGewl]

Originally Posted by lwasouth

You must use the prime button ( Stop button) for a minute of 2 and then try to start. Your furl system has probably leaked down. Do you have a quarter tank or more

Yes what he said, while the engine is running, prime the generator 2 or 3 times, then use the Aux start switch and attempt to start the generator.

[GearyB]

Thanks for the great tips. Tried priming

[GearyB]

[QUOTE=GearyB;3483395]Thanks for the great tips. Tried priming the generator and using the boost switch. Generator fired right up.
/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by SuperGewl

Yes what he said, while the engine is running, prime the generator 2 or 3 times, then use the Aux start switch and attempt to start the generator.