Community Forums

stech99 · 11-05-2012, 05:58 PM

New to IRV2, but finding it a wealth of information.

Have a generator question. My Flair generator would start no problem from house battery. This is a 2001 with what I was told was the original batteries. They died recently. I replaced the original Trojan with the same Trojan 105. They appear to have a full charge, but now, the only way the generator will start at all is with the engine running.

What happened?

Right before the batteries gave up, the system would try to start then nothing. I get the glow of the on switch, but no turn over.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can toss my way.

Scott

monkey · 11-05-2012, 06:11 PM

Are your battery disconnect switches turned on ??? I'm sure people a lot smarter than me on these things will pitch in soon...

Jeep68 · 11-05-2012, 06:41 PM

Do you have more than a quarter tank of gas? That reminds me, I need to exercise mine.

SarahW · 11-05-2012, 07:14 PM

Yeah, make sure you have more than 1/4 tank of gas in the Flair or the genny won't run. Also, do you have an inverter or converter in the coach?

stech99 · 11-05-2012, 11:28 PM

Thanks for the swift response.

Everything worked ok, then as the battery died the generator quit starting. Replaced the batteries and not a peep out of the generator since unless I start the engine.
Full tank of gas too

RV Wizard · 11-06-2012, 02:24 AM

Check for bad ground connection to the frame and re-check all the other connections. Check voltage at generator when the start button is pushed and held down. Good and well charged batteries should not drop below 12vdc when trying to start the generator. Let us know what you find.

clyon51 · 11-06-2012, 06:03 AM

Let's back up a minute to rule something out. When you replaced the 2 Trojan T105s (which are 6v) did you wire them in series so they are putting out 12v ?

Assuming so, you need to check their voltage to make sure they are about 12.2+v. Fully charged is 12.7v. If all is well there, check batt connections and then the POS+ and NEG- connection at the generator, and the NEG- connection on the frame by the generator. These must be clean and have good metal to metal contact.

If the batteries are less than 12v, they are 50% discharged or more. This would indicate you haven't been plugged into shore to keep them charged. Or, your charger is failing. Or you are boondocking/stored and let them get too low. Any of these could cause your problem too.

If you don't have a volt meter, get one and learn how to use it. It can save you a ton of headaches and a lot of money.

BichonLover · 11-06-2012, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stech99

New to IRV2, but finding it a wealth of information.

Have a generator question. My Flair generator would start no problem from house battery. This is a 2001 with what I was told was the original batteries. They died recently. I replaced the original Trojan with the same Trojan 105. They appear to have a full charge, but now, the only way the generator will start at all is with the engine running.

What happened?

Right before the batteries gave up, the system would try to start then nothing. I get the glow of the on switch, but no turn over.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can toss my way.

Scott

Are you trying to start the generator with only the interior switch?
Can you start the generator at the generator itself?

stech99 · 11-06-2012, 09:10 AM

Coach has a solar panel on the roof. We were camping with power hookup for 3 days so one would assume the batteries charged. I will verify this.

As I said, perplexing part is it starts with the engine on, but not the battery as it used to.

I will run test this weekend and take all the information I got and apply it.

Clean connections
Check if charger is working
See if batteries are fully charged

Get back to you afterwards.

Many thanks

SarahW · 11-06-2012, 10:29 AM

Are you referring to the small solar panel that comes on the coach, or have you added an additional solar panel? If it's the OEM, you should see a red light blinking on the front A/C unit to indicate charging.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-06-2012, 11:23 AM

If it starts with the engine running but not otherwise, you have a battery voltage problem. The generator starter isn't seeing 12v without help from the engine alternator.

Double check the wiring to the new batteries, making sure they are in series (or series/parallel if more than two) so you get 12v. Or you may have popped a fuse between the battery bank and the 12v distribution panels.

Forget about the gas tank, since it isn't even cranking. It would crank but not start if the fuel level is too low.

rvjimmy · 11-06-2012, 06:57 PM

If the batteries are 6 volt make sure you have them hook-up in series and not parallel. Meaning positive to negative and that will leave you a positive and negative to hook up to the generator leads. If not hooked up this way you will only have 6 volts.

Jim

Jeep68 · 11-06-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey

Are your battery disconnect switches turned on ??? I'm sure people a lot smarter than me on these things will pitch in soon...

Im still coming back to this.

clyon51 · 11-07-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep68

Im still coming back to this.

With the BDS on, there will be no power to the genny starter of course. With engine running supplying 14.5v to the coach batteries, and that works, means the BDS is off. He has a low voltage problem with coach batteries..... pointing to a bad/malfuntioning converter/charger.