The gen typically starts from coach (house) batteries, so check the charge and condition of your coach batteries (water levels if wet cell etc). If they are at rest (unloaded) and reading only 12.0 vdc they are almost fully discharged, so when you run the engine the alternator probablystarts charging the coach batteries enough to start the gen again. Sounds like your coach batteries need a full charge to 12.6 VDC approximately (if they are not damaged and will take the charge). If they won;t take a full charge or are damaged, it may be time to replace them.
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