Diesel Generator

[rivrduk]

Been reading the Motorhome manuals and especially the Generac one. Cant do anything else as the snow and ice in Okieland has overwhelmed us for two weeks. In my 2000 tradewinds model 7373 does the generator have its own starting battery or does it use the chassis or cabin batteries. If it has its own battery i need to start looking for it. Thanks Rivrduk

[bldrbob]

It does not have it's own battery.I'm not sure which it uses.

[Vegasdan]

I think mine uses the chassis batteries.

[bigdog]

Ok,now here's the new resident expert. No,it doesn't have it's own battery,yes,it does use the chassis batteries and you have to check them periodically to make sure the wires are tight.
The reason I say the new resident expert is that I had the connector for the fuel lines break where they go thru the rear of the case (5.67 parts/260.00 labor as these things aren't on slides and have to unbolted and slid out).Then,since I didn't have any records on the gennie maintainence,970 hours, I told them to service it and they found that both the intake filter and oil filter were originals and that the belts were toast and when they went to replace the belt,the tensioner fell apart..OOppss..They also found that the hose,kinda like a radiator hose,had a couple of holes in it where it had rubbed against a couple of the bolts that hold the front of the case on..Soooo,you really need to check these things all the time..$1,200.00
Now after I got home from Vegas,it sat for a bit and then I thot I'd exercise it and it started and ran really good. Then,when I tried to do it the last time,It started and shut-down and never would start again.Finally took it in and they went over the whole system and everything was good till they got to the starter and found that it was hung up on the flywheel and wasn't releasing...Get it back on Monday,if the parts come in..$995.00..
Soo now,it would behoove you to run that thing and put a load on it at least once a month and mebbee,every two weeks to keep it excercised and healthy..
Also found out one possible reason that my mileage and power have been down. I was relying on the little meter for the Cat air cleaner to let me know when I was getting close and we found that it was STUCK...pulled the air cleaner and took it apart and I don't think that I have ever seen anything as dirty as that was.Rechecked the records and found that the previous owner had it changed in May of '08.
I've gone back and checked all his records and found that the tires were all changed in '05 and have 50K on them. They have a ton of tread left,but are showing some age or flex cracking on them,so will be taking it to the truck tire place to have them check them.Only the two right side ones are showing checks.