Generator Question

[FarmerB4]

We have a 2003 Mountain Aire 3781 gas. We have owned it for 18 months or so . Whenever you want to start the generator it won't crank or even try to crank without pushing the boost button . Batteries , house and engine , are in good shape and fully charged . It was like this since we owned it . Upon hitting boost button generator starts . Should you normally need to push boost ? If not what should I check ?

[don mccoy]

Originally Posted by FarmerB4

We have a 2003 Mountain Aire 3781 gas. We have owned it for 18 months or so . Whenever you want to start the generator it won't crank or even try to crank without pushing the boost button . Batteries , house and engine , are in good shape and fully charged . It was like this since we owned it . Upon hitting boost button generator starts . Should you normally need to push boost ? If not what should I check ?

Follow the battery cable from the generator starter back to the house batteries you will probably find the connection at the house batteries are bad

[Buly]

Originally Posted by FarmerB4

We have a 2003 Mountain Aire 3781 gas. We have owned it for 18 months or so . Whenever you want to start the generator it won't crank or even try to crank without pushing the boost button . Batteries , house and engine , are in good shape and fully charged . It was like this since we owned it . Upon hitting boost button generator starts . Should you normally need to push boost ? If not what should I check ?

Have your starting batteries load tested, and check for loose wire connectors, or corrosion at the connectors. Best way is to test voltage at the generator starter while starting. Obviously you have voltage drop somewhere in the chain.

[twinboat]

There may be a breaker near the house battery that's tripped or the cable could be laying behind the batteries, not connected.

[dutchstr3884]

On my 2004 Dutchstar the generator starts from the chassis (or engine) batteries, not the coach (or house) batteries. If the chassis battery cutoff switch (located in the engine compartment) is turned off the generator will not start. I have not tried to use the boost switch to see if it will start. If you have not turned on the battery cutoff switch to on this may be why you are having to push the boost switch.