Battery for generator flat

[Catsacrossamerica.net]

Can someone tel me what I am doing wrong... every time we park up the battery that runs the generator goes flat in no time. When I start the engine, it recharges it. Derrr!

[Long & Winding road]

You mean "Dead" not "Flat".

Tires go Flat and batteries go Dead. LOL.

Im not sure what your asking. Can you start the generator?

Is the generator shutting off on its own?

[saddlesore]

battery(s) may have a bad cell or two.. also check ALL the battery connections and connections on the genset..

[Long & Winding road]

Yeah but when you read his posting a 2nd or 3rd time he is able to start the Genny.

I think he is talking about bad battieries but maybe not?

Do a search on this forum.... lots of treads about bad battieries and the causes (you might have a bad converter?). Not to mention replacement battery info. 6volt vs 12volt etc.

[roy stone]

Originally Posted by Catsacrossamerica.net

Can someone tel me what I am doing wrong... every time we park up the battery that runs the generator goes flat in no time. When I start the engine, it recharges it. Derrr!

Check cells. do you, have you serviced the battery, it does require maintenance, water if not sealed, etc, if problem continues, have service technician check it. If you have to have it replaced, keep the new one serviced.

[Sweetbriar]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong but isn't the generator start power from house battery bank? And if so wouldn't everything in the house, fridge, water pump, ceiling lights, HVAC,,, also be dead which would be a much bigger problem?

[99dart]

Originally Posted by Catsacrossamerica.net

Can someone tel me what I am doing wrong... every time we park up the battery that runs the generator goes flat in no time. When I start the engine, it recharges it. Derrr!

We kinda need to know if you are plugging into shore power or dry camping. If plugged in, the converter should be charging the "house" battery(s). If dry camping, yes, the engine charges the battery, but evidently not for long. You should also be losing house lights, water pump and other items powered by the House battery.

[TurnerFam]

ok Catsacrossamerica, you'll have to give us more info, as we all own different coaches and don't have a clue which type coach or generator you have, or what 'battery' you are referring to, or whether you are easily able to start the generator, or have to wait until you crank the vehicle's engine in order to start it...

-year/make/model of coach/RV
-type/size of generator
-what switch you are using to turn 'on' the generator
-where you battery(s) are that you are referring to

etc

[16ACE27]

The OP has a 2018 ACE 29.4.
The battery that starts the generator is the house batteries so if it/they are going dead then he would have more problems than not being able to start the generator.

So, is staring the generator your only problem or are all your house loads going off?

[Catsacrossamerica.net]

Yes. The motor starts fine but the generator is dead until I run the engine for 10 minutes

[TurnerFam]

I think you need to hold the START switch for quite a while before it starts... this is normal. You'll hear a 'clicking' sound as the pump is priming the fuel. Sometimes they'll start right away if they've been run recently and are warm, but most of the time you may have to hold the switch for 10-30 seconds...

[Miramar Owner]

Originally Posted by Catsacrossamerica.net

Can someone tel me what I am doing wrong... every time we park up the battery that runs the generator goes flat in no time. When I start the engine, it recharges it. Derrr!

It sounds to me like your coach is in the "store" mode. Unless it is in "use" mode your coach batteries will not charge from the generator or shore power. Starting your engine puts enough juice into the batteries to allow the genny to start.

[Catsacrossamerica.net]

You might just be a genius. I am doing just that! I have put it back into “use” and we shall see tomorrow if that is the issue. I bet it is. Thanks a million!!

[Catsacrossamerica.net]

Thank you for your sound advice.

[Catsacrossamerica.net]

Thanks for your excellent advice.

[Miramar Owner]

The only issue now is you may have damaged your batteries by allowing them to go dead too many times...hopefully not.

Just rule of thumb...never put your coach in store mode unless you are not going to use it for several days.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Miramar Owner

The only issue now is you may have damaged your batteries by allowing them to go dead too many times...hopefully not.

Just rule of thumb...never put your coach in store mode unless you are not going to use it for several days and you are NOT plugged in.

Gotta finish the sentence.

[Miramar Owner]

16ACE27, I hold to my statement. Even if you are plugged into electricity, if you have your coach in store mode, your batteries will NOT charge. That's why I say leave it in use mode unless you are actually storing it for a few days.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Miramar Owner

16ACE27, I hold to my statement. Even if you are plugged into electricity, if you have your coach in store mode, your batteries will NOT charge. That's why I say leave it in use mode unless you are actually storing it for a few days.

Sure, leave it plugged in and put the USE/STORE switch in STORE and come back to a dead battery because the battery will not be connected to the charger when in STORE. Many people have done that to the detriment of their battery. I stand by my amendment of your statement.

[Miramar Owner]

I think we are talking past each other. I never put mine into store mode unless I am parking it in the storage lot, off the grid. Many people are under the assumption when they are plugged in to shore power and everything works in the coach, the batteries must be charging.

I think we are in agreement... Just saying differently.