Community Forums

califca · 11-01-2015, 06:55 PM

Purchased 2008 Jayco Senaca with 8000 QD Onan. Worked during the walk thru but now I try to start it and all it does is click. I am sure it is me. Haven't started it for 6 wks.

HikerMichael · 11-01-2015, 07:16 PM

Very possible your house batteries are dead - too dead to turn the generator over. We bought an 09 Seneca last year. If I let it sit too long the batteries lose too much juice and can't fire the genny. Try having somebody hit (hold down) the white crossover button on your dash to bridge the chassis battery while you hold the generator start button - that's what I have to do. Chassis battery has plenty of juice and fires up my generator every time.

I'm due for new house batteries, I guess, but holding off until spring for that cash outlay...

Good luck.

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califca · 11-01-2015, 07:30 PM

Thank You. I will try that. I know when I connect the house batteries the interior lights come on fine but maybe not enough juice to start it.

**pasdad1** · 11-01-2015, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by califca

Thank You. I will try that. I know when I connect the house batteries the interior lights come on fine but maybe not enough juice to start it.

Try starting chassis engine first and letting it run 15 minutes first....the alternator should put enough charge in the batteries to start the generator.

califca · 11-01-2015, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Try starting chassis engine first and letting it run 15 minutes first....the alternator should put enough charge in the batteries to start the generator.

I will try that. Thank You. Just wanted to get it started to exercise it. Don't really use it because we don't do any Boondocking.

HikerMichael · 11-02-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by califca

Thank You. I will try that. I know when I connect the house batteries the interior lights come on fine but maybe not enough juice to start it.

Yep - when I reconnect the batteries at the disconnect, there is enough juice to run the lights for the most part in ours as well, but not enough to spark the generator - you can hear it trying, but it just doesn't turn over without the extra kick from the chassis battery.

If you start the engine you'll get enough power after a minute or two - I have done that as well, but I have gotten mixed feedback on whether it's healthier in the long term to run the diesel for 10-15 minutes (where it never really gets up to a good temp) or let it sit dormant - I lean towards not starting it unless i'm going to be taking it out and getting it warmed up to burn off any condensation that might form in the exhaust, etc. I've seen people do it both ways, so not sure what the best answer is, but thought i'd mention it.

Best to run your generator monthly or so under load to keep it in prime condition even if you don't boondock - let it sit too long, and when you do want it, it's not going to work well. I try and run it once a month - winter I run the microwave for 10 minutes to put load on it, summer I run the A/C. Just part of the maintenance process. almost all of our camping is at a campground with full hookups, but there have been times we have used it driving down the road to keep the back of the rig cool on a hot day, and i'm glad it always fires up.

Good luck! We love our Seneca, i'm sure you do as well!

califca · 11-02-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HikerMichael

Yep - when I reconnect the batteries at the disconnect, there is enough juice to run the lights for the most part in ours as well, but not enough to spark the generator - you can hear it trying, but it just doesn't turn over without the extra kick from the chassis battery.

If you start the engine you'll get enough power after a minute or two - I have done that as well, but I have gotten mixed feedback on whether it's healthier in the long term to run the diesel for 10-15 minutes (where it never really gets up to a good temp) or let it sit dormant - I lean towards not starting it unless i'm going to be taking it out and getting it warmed up to burn off any condensation that might form in the exhaust, etc. I've seen people do it both ways, so not sure what the best answer is, but thought i'd mention it.

Best to run your generator monthly or so under load to keep it in prime condition even if you don't boondock - let it sit too long, and when you do want it, it's not going to work well. I try and run it once a month - winter I run the microwave for 10 minutes to put load on it, summer I run the A/C. Just part of the maintenance process. almost all of our camping is at a campground with full hookups, but there have been times we have used it driving down the road to keep the back of the rig cool on a hot day, and i'm glad it always fires up.

Good luck! We love our Seneca, i'm sure you do as well!

Thank You . Good luck to you as well. This is our first and we really have enjoyed it. Trial and Error. Trying to get it as I go. Thanks for your advice.

CapuTech · 11-02-2015, 03:58 PM

The other thing you can try is priming the fuel line. The clicking may just be the pre-heating which can often take 20-30 seconds. But if there is not fuel, it may need priming. To try that, just hold the switch in the off position for 30-45 seconds. That primes the fuel line and filter. Then trying starting it again.

califca · 11-02-2015, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapuTech

The other thing you can try is priming the fuel line. The clicking may just be the pre-heating which can often take 20-30 seconds. But if there is not fuel, it may need priming. To try that, just hold the switch in the off position for 30-45 seconds. That primes the fuel line and filter. Then trying starting it again.

Maybe I am doing this wrong. Do you push down to prime and up to start or visa versa on the 8000 QD. They didn't walk me thru on the generator and I don't have a book. Stupid question I Know.

mfire1339 · 11-02-2015, 08:05 PM

I have a gas onan and yes down to prime and up to start.

Mike

califca · 11-02-2015, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapuTech

The other thing you can try is priming the fuel line. The clicking may just be the pre-heating which can often take 20-30 seconds. But if there is not fuel, it may need priming. To try that, just hold the switch in the off position for 30-45 seconds. That primes the fuel line and filter. Then trying starting it again.

Maybe I am doing this wrong. Do you push down to prime and up to start or visa versa on the 8000 QD. They didn't walk me thru on the generator and I don't have a book. Stupid question I Know.

Garrette · 11-08-2015, 09:45 AM

You have low house batteries and Down to prime and stop. Should be a red light that will illuminate when primed and running. May need to prime multiple times.

If it's like my 4000. We do not boondock but have used it on multiple occasions. Over night at Flying J's, at son's house, on the rode for house AC. Those things are built to run so, run it every month or use it while traveling for a couple of hours. The more they run, the better they start and run. Just do your maintenance and a running genny adds to resale. A dead genny will bring the resale value down.