Where's the generator battery?

[Kalee II]

So my generator in my new to me 2008 Fleetwood Providence just clicks when I try to start it. It seems like a battery issue. I was going to jump it, but I couldn't find it! The main and house batteries are in good shape. Am I wrong to think the generator has its own battery?

Thanks for any help!

[no3putt]

Most MH use the house batteries to start the generator. It common to have to hold the button down for 30 seconds for it to prime the genrator. Also its common if you have 1/4 tank of fuel or less it will not run since it can't get fuel.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by Kalee II

So my generator in my new to me 2008 Fleetwood Providence just clicks when I try to start it. It seems like a battery issue. I was going to jump it, but I couldn't find it! The main and house batteries are in good shape. Am I wrong to think the generator has its own battery?
Thanks for any help!

Kalee II
My generator does not have its own battery.... (it starts with the "house batteries").
However some start with the "chassis battery".. and some do have their own battery.
Hopefully some one with a like coach will post what battery starts the generator on a 2008 Fleetwood Providence.
Mel
'96 Safari

[Tha_Rooster]

Are you sure it's not just the fuel pump clicking priming the engine.

[krivanj]

I'm sure you do not have a special battery for your generator but do not know if it starts off the chassis or the house batteries. Hold down the start switch for up to 15 seconds and see if it starts. As soon as you push down on the switch, the glow plugs start heating. Once they are up to temperature, it should crank and start.

[superk]

If your coach has isloators, try each with the other off, one should start the generator, while the other wont.

dont assume, find out.

[Kalee II]

Well obviously I have much to learn! Yes it was just the pump priming. I held the start switch and it started after about 15 seconds. Thanks everyone for the replies!

[Al n Cindy]

Glad you discovered your solution. A couple notes from another new owner (after nearly 2 years I'm still learning so much I realize the "new" hasn't yet become "old"):

Did you get all your manuals? I did, and I actually dutifully read all of the ~8" pile. But I'm finding I need to re-read many of them! I continue to discover new things every couple weeks. A couple involved the generator.

The generator starts using the house batteries (I suspect on all Fleetwood coaches). Our batteries were drawn down overnight recently and the genset just clicked. I fired up the coach to get the alternator on line. The generator now cranked just fine but did not start. Time to read.

That's when I discovered a few instructions I'd glossed over on first reading. When the generator hasn't run for a while (in my case, more than 4 weeks), the fuel can drain from the lines, similar to after "replacing the fuel filter or running the genset out of fuel. To prime the fuel system hold the control switch down in its STOP position for at least 1 minute." Bingo, started up right after doing so--well, after holding the start switch 15 seconds, but that is the normal delay.

I case you don't have Onan manual, here's two more important instructions from the same page 8:

"Push and hold the switch at START until the genset starts. The status indicator light on the switch flashes during preheat and cranking. It will come on solid when the starter disconnects, indicating that the genset is running. Depending on how cold it is, preheat can take up to 15 seconds..."

I had been holding the star button as long as a full minute to get it to start. I no longer do that, because in very bold print the manual continues:

"CAUTION! Excessive cranking can overheat and damage the starter motor. Do not crank for more than 20 seconds at a time. Wait at least 2 minutes before trying again. "

I may not follow those instructions to the letter, but I'm a lot more careful now! Happy travels!