coach battery dead, can't get generator started.

[neddy191]

I'm still pretty new and have a Thor Outlaw. I haven't gone anywhere with it during the heat of the summer so it has been parked. I neglected it and didn't go out and crank the generator or do anything for about the past 6 weeks. I went out there to check it as we're going on a trip in a couple weeks and the coach battery was dead - it wouldn't even turn a light on. I cranked the engine and let it run for 30 minutes since the guy at the place where I bought it said the engine battery would charge the coach battery. After 30 mins I still got nothing. I then pulled my car up and ran the jumper cables from the car to the batteries (under the entrance stairs) and it still wouldn't start. I let the car run hooked up to the coach battery for about 15 mins and I finally got the generator to crank. After about 5 mins I unhooked the jumper cables from the car and also killed the motorhome engine.

The generator ran for about 1.5 hrs - but didn't seem to be charging the batteries when I checked it. After about 1.5 hrs the generator died and I'm back to the coach batteries being completely dead.

Did I mess the batteries up by letting them run completely dead? Should I jump it off with the car again but leave the car hooked up for alot longer? Any other suggestions?

I'm definately going to have to look at one of those solar battery chargers now.

[trackman]

You need to invest in a battery charger for the times you have a mind lapse. It is hard to charge dead batteries on 12 volt for short periods of time. When you get them charged don't forget to turn the battery switch off when in storage. Alao be sure to top the batterys off with distilled water when charged

[Skip426]

See this is only your second post.
In another recent post, someone found out the hard way; 4 days of trial and error; that his transfer switch didn't operate properly without coach battery power. So I think your stuck with a battery charger to bring the batteries up. When you have the batteries up to 12.5v; may take a day or two; with them totally drained, check for approx 14v to the batteries, coach and chassis, with the engine running. Remember that an engine alternator requires power to make power, the lower the power in the battery the lower the alt, output.
Your gen set may have died due to low fuel in the tank, won't pick up fuel unless there is over approx 1/4 >1/3 tank of gas.