Gen Set Hard Start

[JWhitcomb]

Any thoughts why, when my camper battery is lower than half full the gen cranks good but won't fire. If I start the truck it fires right up. I know it must have something to do with voltage but what baffles me is that it will crank like crazy.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Could be the Battery will not have enough voltage to start due to week battery the truck battery ,may have a isolator that keeps the house or battery hooked to the gen set from draining the truck battery . Could be time for a new battery. Check charging system after a start . Running the truck will give big boost to the house battery and will start the genset but ,You should be able to start the set without the truck running . . LOL Ron Bissett in Louisville Ky Metro that is.

 

[klenger]

Can you check the voltage at the generator when you are cranking it to see what the voltage is? Mine (Onan 3600 LP) draws about 150 amps starting and they recommend 2 gauge wire for it. It might be that the voltage on yours is dropping far enough that the electronics won't operate, even though the starter does.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

My generator was hard to start and it is only 2 months old. I went through the whole electrical system and found 5 loose terminal lugs. I tightened everything up and now it fires right up.

 

[JWhitcomb]

Got a good answer from a dude on IRV2. He had the same unit and contacted Generac. According to them the computer in it need a certain voltage to boot. Bit of a catch 22 if you want to start it to charge the battery. Problem should be solved now, solar panel added.