1999 Damon/Ford Triton chassis electrical problem

[Darrell & Mel]

On our one and only trip this year, from Maryland to Georgia and back, we encountered a problem when trying to start the generator using coach battery DC power. We were in a Sam's Club parking lot and I wanted to run the furnace to heat the coach prior to going to sleep for the night. So we were using the coach batteries only; no shore power was hooked up. When I tried to start the generator using the coach batteries (DC power) the power shut off, meaning we lost all lights, for about 15 seconds, then the DC circuit seemed to "reset" and the lights came back on. Then I started the motorhome engine and the generator started fine with the engine running. Now the only way to start the generator is to first start the motorhome engine, then start the generator; the generator still won't start using coach battery/DC power.

I have a Onan Marquis Emerald 5KW generator (I think I got that right) that runs great once started and have a set of fairly new coach batteries (1 season old). The coach batteries were removed during last winter and installed in the early spring.

I have never experienced any problem like this in the past. Does anyone have any suggestions of what troubleshooting steps I could take? Thanks.

[InPursuit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrell & Mel The coach batteries were removed during last winter and installed in the early spring. Does anyone have any suggestions of what troubleshooting steps I could take? Thanks.

I'd start with the basics:
1) assume that the ground connections are weak related to the R&R.
2) assume that the power or ground wire at the Gen are weak.
3) assume that the controls and switches etc are OK

Go from there and good luck.

[Darrell & Mel]

Thanks, I will check the battery connections. I am pretty sure that is what is causing the problem; I should have checked them right away when the problem first occurred.

[LVJ58]

If all else fails, you may want to do a load test on the batteries to make sure they're still in good shape.

Best of luck

[pkunk1]

Possibly the batteries are weak/low on electrolite. have you checked?

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkunk1 Possibly the batteries are weak/low on electrolite. have you checked?

That would be my first thing to check. How old are the batteries? Are the terminals tight and clean of crud? How does the generator respond to shore power?

I do know that with my Intellipower converter, I spent 2 summers boiling away the water. I added a $25 charger genie and problem solved. Without water, the batteries cease to function. As the water evaporates the ability of the battery to produce enough current for the starter is diminished

[Darrell & Mel]

Thanks for all of the responses. I didn't have time to check the generator with shore power before I had to winterize my coach. I have since removed the batteries and stored them on a shelf in my garage. I am confident it was either a battery issue or battery connection, so I will be sure to check it all next year when I prepare it for use. I can't wait! I'll check the batteries in the mean time. Thanks again.