Community Forums

TTD · 04-19-2018, 02:52 PM

As the title says... is it the House or Engine batteries that fire up the generator?

BarneyM · 04-19-2018, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTD

As the title says... is it the House or Engine batteries that fire up the generator?

The House batteries start the Gen Set.

Barney
07 Inspire 52059

TTD · 04-19-2018, 02:59 PM

So if I am not connected to shore power... and my batteries go down overnight...

I will need to start the engine first, charge the house batteries, then fire up the generator?

Mark- · 04-19-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTD

I will need to start the engine first, charge the house batteries, then fire up the generator?

Or start the engine, connect the engine batteries to the house batteries and jump start the generator.

dix39 · 04-19-2018, 03:27 PM

That used to happen to us occasionally with our TC and that is what I did. I didn't need to charge the house batts. very long because the alternator served somewhat as jumpers would. It was never a problem for us as long as the engine started, and it always did.

We had that camper 23 years, so that system was reliable. After a while we learned how much use the house batt would tolerate and still start the gen. After that it wasn't necessary to start the engine very often.

Jumpers would also work. One time we stopped in a rest area for lunch. It was foggy and I had the headlights on. When we stopped I forgot to turn them off. That time we jumped in the reverse direction, using the house batt. to start the engine. Jumpers are very handy, I always carry a set with us.

Steve

TR4 · 04-19-2018, 05:28 PM

Just push and hold the battery boost button for about a minute. This connects the House batteries to the chassis battery while you hold the button.

Bill

gsander1 · 04-19-2018, 05:30 PM

Tony, that is why your coach has Auto Gen Start.

Smitty77 · 04-19-2018, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TR4

Just push and hold the battery boost button for about a minute. This connects the House batteries to the chassis battery while you hold the button.

Bill

This maybe what Bill said, when you consider the full thread

! But to be sure, I also wanted to add that whenever you're working with the uncertainty of battery charge condition - get a motor fired up first, before boost, as an additional safety edge.

For example:

-If you go to start the Generator and it will not start due to low House. First start your engine with your Chassis battery. Then hold the Boost button for about a minute, sometimes a bit longer, to share power with the House Batteries, before starting the Generator. After the generator is running, you're call on if you want to turn off the main engine.

-Or if you go to start your engine and it will not start due to a low Chassis battery. First start your Generator, Boost connect again, then start your engine.

We had a neighbor in an RV Park that had been their for about a month. The day he was supposed to leave, he found his Chassis would not start. He did the Boost connect thing, and it was not enough to start his engine. And, it had drained his also weak House batteries down enough that he now could not start the Generator either. So borrowed our small size portable battery charge, and placed them on the House battery (Which tested stronger then the Chassis as far as voltage.), and after 30-40 mins it was enough to get the Generator started.

So when in doubt of either battery capacity, get one or the other engine/generator started to hopefully provide some charge recovery going

!

Opinions and processes will vary, and that is OK

!

Best to all,
Smitty

Mr_D · 04-19-2018, 05:53 PM

Depends on how you CC is wired. Mine would not start using any of the interior switches or respond to the auto start. Took it to Premiere and they found a broken wire. Even then it was hard to start. Tech changed wiring around and no problems since. Didn't ask what he changed and Gary never answered my email about it. Guess I should turn off the chassis batteries and see.

phays · 04-19-2018, 06:09 PM

If you start the engine, there is no need to hold the boost button. The boost solenoid is activated by an oil pressure switch when the engine is running.

Smitty77 · 04-19-2018, 10:10 PM

Phays - My bad, I clicked into this thread form the Recent Discussions, and did not notice it was in the CC owners section. So since not all coaches have this feature, I responded more generically. Appreciate you clarifying for the OP. (And yes, I knew he had a CC, and should have been clearer.)

Bill - I responded via a tag a long of your thread. My wording was poor as I attempted to add to your thread, your post was good info...

Best to you both,
Smitty

TTD · 04-20-2018, 03:55 AM

OK, a couple of issues were brought up that may help me with other "issues".

1 - If AGS (Auto Gen Start) is not showing as an option in my Xantrex, I assume that means I don't have the module? Or could it be in the coach but not yet programmed into the panel?

2 - I see now that I have a Battery Boost button right next to my GEN START button. So if my gen doesn't fire right up, I should press that for a minute? - and then simultaneously press the GEN START (while still holding down the Battery Boost)?

Captain Dan · 04-20-2018, 08:57 AM

I just dealt with this last week. We were dry camping and in the morning the house batts were too dead to start the generator so I fired up the Cat and upped the idle to 900 rpm and within a minute the generator would start.

Dan

TR4 · 04-20-2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTD

I see now that I have a Battery Boost button right next to my GEN START button. So if my gen doesn't fire right up, I should press that for a minute? - and then simultaneously press the GEN START (while still holding down the Battery Boost)?

This is what I would do. But, don’t run your chassis battery down to far if the generator does start. Leave enough power to start the engine if needed.

Bill