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03-08-2021, 03:01 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Utah
Posts: 23
THOR #17308
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Generator only starts with engine running
I’ve run into a conundrum. Rig is a 2016 Axis 24.1. This started after driving over teeth-rattling washboard roads for several minutes. May or may not be related. Anyway, the short story is my generator only starts after my engine has been running for a minute or so. It continues to run like a champ as long as my engine is running. After shutting off the engine, the generator will continue to run for about 5 to 15 minutes before shutting down on its own. The time it runs on its own seems random. Any help greatly appreciated.
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03-08-2021, 03:27 PM
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#2
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Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
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Simple question: Is your use/store switch in "Use"?
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03-08-2021, 03:38 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Utah
Posts: 23
THOR #17308
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Of course.
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03-08-2021, 03:46 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,320
THOR #7035
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See this thread:
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8...ine-22493.html
Post # 22 was the resolution: 100 Amp DC breaker tripped. But the BIRD/BIM was connected to the downstream side of the 100 amp breaker, not the battery side.
USE/STORE Not Applicable
Basic Schematic:
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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03-08-2021, 04:34 PM
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#5
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Check your battery connections to the coach batteries.
(you mentioned the bone-jarring ride...)
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"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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03-08-2021, 06:21 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37LS outlaw
State: New Jersey
Posts: 516
THOR #5248
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Fuel tank above 1/4 ?
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03-08-2021, 08:32 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 ACE 30.1
State: Alberta
Posts: 1,410
THOR #2631
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16ACE27 is correct; some coaches "probably" have the BIM wired to the gen/jacks side of the 100 amp breaker tied to the coach batteries. There are wiring variations out there.
So the alternator is charging the chassis battery when engine is running.....BIM closes in a few minutes to also try to charge coach batteries, but they are actually disconnected if the100 amp breaker has tripped open. When engine is shut off chassis battery charging stops and the BIM remains closed for a time keeping chassis battery connected to the gen micro controller. Then the BIM opens off the chassis battery connection a few minutes after (since no charging is detected)......and no 12vdc on the gen micro shuts the gen down. An evil scenario, depending on how the coach is wired. Find your 100 amp re-settable breaker and reset is the likely solution per 16ACE27.
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03-08-2021, 08:38 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Utah
Posts: 23
THOR #17308
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Problem solved!
Thank you everyone, tripped breaker that the battery tripped on a major bumpy road because it’s an inch away has been reset. Nice design there Thor! 😂
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03-08-2021, 08:45 PM
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#9
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Glad to see that you got it beat!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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03-08-2021, 09:08 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,320
THOR #7035
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Yeah, the generator would be happy to continue to run when you take away 12 VDC to it except for one thing:
Gasoline!: No 12 VDC = no fuel pump = no run.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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08-31-2023, 12:29 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 8
THOR #29506
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My 2019 Thor Daybreak is the same. Generator won’t start unless engine is running. Is this how it’s supposed to work???
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08-31-2023, 12:50 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 8
THOR #29506
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Ok yes that makes sense since the generator runs on gasoline. And I imagine if I turn off the engine the generator will shut down after a few minutes.
First time I’ve owned a Motor coach with a generator. 🥳
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08-31-2023, 01:16 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Texas
Posts: 249
THOR #24216
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weberrg1152@att.net
My 2019 Thor Daybreak is the same. Generator won’t start unless engine is running. Is this how it’s supposed to work???
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No, absolutely not.
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08-31-2023, 01:53 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 37.1
State: California
Posts: 2,490
THOR #12698
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The generator is supposed to run on it's own since it is tapped into your motor home's fuel tank and attached to your battery. If it only runs while the engine is running, something is wrong with the way it is wired.
Paul
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08-31-2023, 04:44 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 8
THOR #29506
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Thanks Paul. I assume the 12V battery has to be fully charged and the battery disconnect switch in the on position. I will try it again !!
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08-31-2023, 04:54 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,320
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weberrg1152@att.net
Thanks Paul. I assume the 12V battery has to be fully charged and the battery disconnect switch in the on position. I will try it again !!
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The generator needs 12 VDC from the house batteries to start and run. It can also get it from the engine alternator if the house/chassis battery disconnect is shut. But if 12 VDC goes away from the generator due to:
No house battery supply, and
No chassis battery supply, and
No converter supply:
The generator will shut down.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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08-31-2023, 09:23 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 8
THOR #29506
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Thank you I will try to start again & keep my fingers crossed!!!
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08-31-2023, 11:05 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
State: Alabama
Posts: 6
THOR #28422
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The generator needs 12 volts to run, control, relays and fuel pump. Without 12 volts the ECM will shut down gen and generate a fault code.
Does it not turn over at all? Check DC voltage. If low, you have a bad connection or battery, staring engine boosts the voltage. If no voltage, bad relay or fuse in line.
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09-01-2023, 05:58 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 8
THOR #29506
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Ok I did a test and generator will start/ run when engine is running. But when I turn off engine the battery test says E and generator won’t start.
I conclude I need a new 12V battery. We have an extra marine/ RV battery to connect.
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09-01-2023, 06:09 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,320
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weberrg1152@att.net
Ok I did a test and generator will start/ run when engine is running. But when I turn off engine the battery test says E and generator won’t start.
I conclude I need a new 12V battery. We have an extra marine/ RV battery to connect.
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Did you locate the 100 amp DC breaker from the house batteries to check its status? Have you put a voltmeter on the house batteries to check their status?
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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