Cold weather generator start and battery charge

[TXBart]

My coach is in storage without shore power. It is covered, but not enclosed, so the solar panels are ineffective. It has been there several weeks previously without issue but not at the temps we will experience the next few days (-as low as 13 and below freezing for 5 days).

Master switch is off and refer breaker is tripped so the only power draw I should have is the inverters.

I know starting the generator may take several tries to get heat from the glow plugs.

The question is, how soon should I go start the generator to charge the batteries and how long should I let it run to ensure a good charge?

I know I could set it up on auto start to recharge but I am not trusting enough to let it do that when the coach is several miles from me, I've heard horror stories of people finding out auto start left their generator running for weeks at a time.

I had the option of moving to a slot with 15 amp service on Monday but turned it down! Hindsight..............

[nforus]

Originally Posted by TXBart

My coach is in storage without shore power. It is covered, but not enclosed, so the solar panels are ineffective. It has been there several weeks previously without issue but not at the temps we will experience the next few days (-as low as 13 and below freezing for 5 days).

Master switch is off and refer breaker is tripped so the only power draw I should have is the inverters.

I know starting the generator may take several tries to get heat from the glow plugs.

The question is, how soon should I go start the generator to charge the batteries and how long should I let it run to ensure a good charge?

I know I could set it up on auto start to recharge but I am not trusting enough to let it do that when the coach is several miles from me, I've heard horror stories of people finding out auto start left their generator running for weeks at a time.

I had the option of moving to a slot with 15 amp service on Monday but turned it down! Hindsight..............

Hi Vance & Robin,

I would play it on the safe side and start it as soon as you can. Can't hurt anything and letting the batteries get really low or dead just really shortens the life.

[Finally]

TXBart,

I have a similar question but more about starting the generator in the cold weather as there is not a block heater on the generator.

I did read somewhere that depending on the level of the batteries will determine how long to run the generator, typically two hours.

I store my coach at my home on an RV pad, connected to 20amp circuit.
If you get the chance to get the spot with 15 amps, I'd jump on it.

[Finally]

Vance and Robin,

You stated that you have the master switch in the off position, did you also turn off the inverter? I read on pave 6-8 (Aspire manual) that leaving the inverter on in storage will discharge the batteries. The manual didn't state whether the master switch is on or off but I would assume the manual means off as it reads "prolonged storage".

Trying to find the section on charging; I read it somewhere just don't know where I read it; manual or something else.

[TXBart]

I have "inverters off" but "charge" on.

[Ann n Gene]

You are wise not to trust the auto start in very cold weather. Diesels do not like cold starts. The AGS does not activate the glow plugs and will likely not try hard enough to start the genny. When you manually start there is a delay. Allowing the glow plugs to warm the cylinders and it will still take done cranking but you will then know when it starts. I would recommend a. 2 hr run time in cold weather to insure a full battery charge. IF batteries were fully charged when put in storage I would say two weeks you would be safe, summer a month would be fine. All of this is from my experience with four motorhomes and two trailers with gennys. And most importantly JMHO