Community Forums

scooterbob · 03-10-2015, 06:07 AM

on my 2000 southwind when I go to start the Generator all I get is a clicking sound which to me sounds like a dead battery. But the house batteries and chassis battery seem to be up.
Which battery starts the Generator ?

Murf2u · 03-10-2015, 06:16 AM

I've never seen a generator with it's own battery, they start off the house batteries.

A bad ground strap or corrosion messing up connections will so limit the current it will mimic a dead battery. I would suggest you start with checking and cleaning up all connections both at the batteries and at the generator. If nothing else it's good preventative maintenance.

DDDonkey · 03-10-2015, 07:13 AM

I had a similar problem with a camper about 5 years ago. The batteries were fully charged but genny just clicked. It was a bad ground, there was corrosion in the connection that could not be seen until it was taken apart. I cleaned the corrosion and all was well. I would check all your connections, take them apart and clean them, then reassemble. Good luck!

CampingCajun · 03-10-2015, 07:33 AM

Check & clean ground. If that doesn't work check the starter solenoid.

twinboat · 03-10-2015, 08:54 AM

While running a wire for a massarator pump, I went to the hot side of the generator solenoid, on my 2000 Gulfstream.

I took off the nut ( already loose ), and found that the cable eye, was almost as big as the nut.

It was a problem, waiting to happen.

Worth looking for that connection.

Good luck

scooterbob · 03-10-2015, 09:00 AM

It is not very accessible to get to the solenoid .
Do you have to drop the gen to get to it ?

twinboat · 03-10-2015, 09:39 AM

First I unhooked the batteries.

Then I pryed the generator over, on it`s rubber mounts, and wedged a block of wood in. I also remember taking off some kind of plastic cover.

That gave me just enough room to reach it.

Gee, it`s been almost a year, since I did that. Time flies.

TQ60 · 03-10-2015, 10:03 AM

We have generator starting battery but you likely do not.

Open generator compartment door and get a voltmeter.

Look for the heavy wire connecting to generator foe battery.

Now do easy first...

Find shiny spot on generator and anothe one on mh.

Place voltmeter across these and have a helper hit the start button.

If you get a voltage the ground is bad and it needs to be fixed.

If not follow the battery wire and check voltage.

If good have helper hit starter and if it drops bad connection and if not bad starter.

FIRE UP · 03-10-2015, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQ60

We have generator starting battery but you likely do not.

Open generator compartment door and get a voltmeter.

Look for the heavy wire connecting to generator foe battery.

Now do easy first...

Find shiny spot on generator and anothe one on mh.

Place voltmeter across these and have a helper hit the start button.

If you get a voltage the ground is bad and it needs to be fixed.

If not follow the battery wire and check voltage.

If good have helper hit starter and if it drops bad connection and if not bad starter.

TQ60,
Just wondering Sir, could you clarify what you mean by that statement that you have a generator starting battery but, he does not? The reason I ask is, EVERY ONE has a generator starting battery. I mean, SOMETHING has to give the starter power to turn over the generator motor. Now, on some coaches it might be the chassis battery and on some, it might be the coach battery.

But, like another poster stated earlier, I too have never seen a generator "ONLY" battery. Now, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, it simply means I've never seen one.
Scott

TQ60 · 03-10-2015, 11:05 PM

Sorry for confusion...

Most all generators with electric starters have a starting battery.

Most use the cabin battery and maybe some use the engine battery.

Ours has 3 battery systems with one at the front for the generator.

Engine starting
Coach/cabin
Generator/level/clocks and memory (also powers fuel guage???)

Gary RVRoamer · 03-11-2015, 09:56 AM

A few RV motorcoaches have a dedicated generator start battery, but most do not. Whether they use the chassis or house battery for that purpose depends on the coach manufacturer and may also differ from year to year. Mine, for example, starts from the chassis batteries. However, since I have an Aux Start switch on the dash, I can also use the house batteries as a booster if needed.

FIRE UP · 03-11-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQ60

Sorry for confusion...

Most all generators with electric starters have a starting battery.

Most use the cabin battery and maybe some use the engine battery.

Ours has 3 battery systems with one at the front for the generator.

Engine starting
Coach/cabin
Generator/level/clocks and memory (also powers fuel guage???)

Well Sir,
It just proves the old adage, "learn something every day".

This is definitely new to me. Now, if only I could remember what I learned yesterday. Thanks for the clarification.
Scott

scooterbob · 03-14-2015, 08:54 AM

Ok this is what I found. The Gen only clicked when plugged into shore power 110,
when disconnected (NOTHING) Battery's are at full charge, now I am thinking AUX power switch is bad, replaced switch, still nothing....

I am not getting any 12V to the cabin.
Anyone know where I can get a 12v wiring Diagram ?

Clay L · 03-14-2015, 11:11 AM

I don't know if your AUX power switch is the same as the battery disconnect switch or not but I have tried to start my generator a couple of times with the battery disconnect switch activated while I was connected to shore power. The converter supplied 12 v to the lights and stuff but didn't have the power to start the genny so the solenoid just clicked.