generator

[Paul0138]

I have a 2016 Thor 27.1 that I recently bought. The generator cranks very slowly until it starts. It turns over one cycle at a time. I did prime it and it cranked as it should but I shouldn't have to prime it each time I crank it.

[16ACE27]

Unless you are starting it within an hour of shutting it down you DO need to prime it to start it. Otherwise it will crank for a very long time before it starts.

[MJC62]

When you say it cranks very slowly do you mean it cranks like low battery? And yes if the engine cools. which it does quickly, it will need prime to restart.

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by MJC62

When you say it cranks very slowly do you mean it cranks like low battery? And yes if the engine cools. which it does quickly, it will need prime to restart.

I was told by Cummins that priming needs to be 20 to 30 seconds. That is hard for me to do, but it really does work!

[Tony&Sheryl]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

I was told by Cummins that priming needs to be 20 to 30 seconds. That is hard for me to do, but it really does work!

Yep, i do a 30 second count crank it for 10 seconds and if it does not start I release the switch and do a 10 second priming again and it starts right up..

[Paul0138]

Thanks for all your tips I was afraid I would flood it if I primed it too much. to the person who thought it was too hard to prime all you have to do is press the start-stop switch in the stop position before you try and start it.

[TurnerFam]

yes, typically the generator will require a good amount of priming time before it initially cranks - but, after it's been used, and certainly within a few hours while it's still warm, it should not require a long prime, if ANY priming.

Our generator is set on the AGS to be cranked automatically when the VOLTS of the house batteries fall to a certain level. Once the initial run has been completed, all further cranks seem to easily take place within a second of the AGS applying the crank.

Priming will really depend on the temperature of the generator, and the last time it was run. A warm generator will have many fewer problems when starting, and take much less time to crank.

You may also find that the difference between fuel types will add to this process as well. A diesel may require a longer prime time since the glow plugs will need to be heated since there are no 'spark plugs'.

[CHUCK52]

I have a Hurricane 29M. The generator start button on the dash toggles two ways, up or down. the down side has a light. Is priming the generator pushing down and holding it for a count ? and then starting it pressing up ? When it starts and runs the light flashes fast and continues to flash as well as the generator red light in the cabinet above the door. What does this flashing light mean? The dash light in the switch used to stay solid. This has changed latley.

[be happy]

I used to have 2017 ACE, everytime I used the generator I had to prime it three times. Prime start, prime start, prime then it would start. I was told that was just the way the system worked. It did not seem to be anything worth fixing.

[CHUCK52]

I'm more concerned with the fact that the light when the generator starts is flashing continuously it used to be a solid light. If it's flashing continuously does that mean that there is something wrong?

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by be happy

I used to have 2017 ACE, everytime I used the generator I had to prime it three times. Prime start, prime start, prime then it would start. I was told that was just the way the system worked. It did not seem to be anything worth fixing.

It’s probably not how the system is supposed to work. I had the same problem on both my Vegas and Axis and I finally figured out it was the automatic choke. I bet if you take the generator door off and manually choke the generator, it will start right up. If you prime it at the generator, you probably will see that the automatic choke does not engage as it should.

[Paul0138]

Yes, It's like the battery is low. With the batts fully charged after a 1/2 dozen tries, I only get one crank out of a try, the batts are down to 1/2 charge. Could it be one of the batts is bad? They are 5 yrs. old.

[Paul0138]

Priming the generator is holding the switch in the stop position for 20-30 seconds. Light flashing doesn't sound good.

[MJC62]

If those batteries are 5 years old they are most probably done in. The generator bringing them down a half charge in short order indicates to me they are shot. Pull them out after a charge and have them load tested. If they are the originals at 5 years old they are running on borrowed time IMHO. I usually get maybe three good seasons from my wet cell batteries and then I replace them. They are not that expensive in my opinion to fool around keeping after 3 years.

[Paul0138]

Thanks for the great info. That was kind of my feeling also. Going to take them and have them checked, thanks again.

[Az Ernie]

Originally Posted by CHUCK52

I have a Hurricane 29M. The generator start button on the dash toggles two ways, up or down. the down side has a light. Is priming the generator pushing down and holding it for a count ? and then starting it pressing up ? When it starts and runs the light flashes fast and continues to flash as well as the generator red light in the cabinet above the door. What does this flashing light mean? The dash light in the switch used to stay solid. This has changed latley.

On my 29m the light stays on continuously after the generator starts. Flashing usually means the generator has not started. Pushing down on the bottom side of the switch primes the generator. Pushing on the top half of the switch starts the generator.

[vt800c]

my problem is the generator won't start from just house batteries (New this year) It takes a bit of effort, but I CAN jump-start it. sometimes I have to manually turn the flywheel before I try priming and cranking it (mine runs on LP gas) Once it's running, it woks like a champ.

[rudyhehn]

Ditto on your house batteries. Five years is as much as you can expect from flooded batteries. You probably need a new set.

[KevinH]

The Cummins rep recommended priming prior to any cold start. He also said the generator needs to run 2 hours/month under load.

[petefoss]

Originally Posted by rudyhehn

Ditto on your house batteries. Five years is as much as you can expect from flooded batteries. You probably need a new set.

I agree. That said I have weak batteries too and I find it much easier to start the generator when it's cold out if I have the motorhome engine running first. That way the altert us helping keep the house battery voltage up. I will try the 30 second prime idea. But usually do 10 sec then crank. And it usually takes several tries when it's been a month since it last ran