Tech Question ?

Mike & Molly · 11-14-2013, 02:19 PM

For outside winter storage I have removed the coach batteries, & store them in my basement on Battery Tenders.
My question is, - Can I run/exercise the generator with out the coach batteries hooked-up. Will it effect the wiring, fuses, breakers or the converter at all.
I'd like to be able to run the generator once a month but don't want to re-connect the coach batteries every time. Can I run a few ceiling lights?
Any info would be appreciated.

papap · 11-14-2013, 03:00 PM

I would think you would be find doing this. Just make sure the battery cables can not touch each other or the frame.

DSurette · 11-14-2013, 06:47 PM

Will you be able to start the generator without the batteries?

Rzbot · 11-14-2013, 06:56 PM

I agree with DSurette, I would think you would need 1 battery installed to start generator unless there is a way to use the coach battery.

papap · 11-14-2013, 07:04 PM

Would think so. LOL

RamblerGuy · 11-14-2013, 08:40 PM

Yes, you can start the generator without coach batteries. It won't hurt anything in the coach. The generator just sends 110 volts to the convertor and to the breaker panel. If there are no batteries, the convertor just doesn't have to put out as many amps to the 12 volt system.

You just start the engine and that gives power to the generator's starter. I have done it when my coach batteries were run down too low to start the generator.

Be absolutely sure the coach battery cables are insulated, because the cables will be energized.

Load the generator to 50% of its rating if you can. A portable electric heater is just right.

ATVer · 11-14-2013, 10:07 PM

Chassis alternator I believe is rated at 200 amps which may or may not be enough to start the generator without anything from battery. The generator manual may say how many amps are needed. Also I don't think it will put out 200 amps at idle so you may need the V10 up at a couple thousand RPM. You also may be able to use the battery tie switch under the drivers seat to connect the chassis battery to the generator. However I don't know if that circuit will work without the chassis battery installed. Maybe I can find time to review the electrical circuit diagrams tomorrow and determine what will work.

Finally if you are going to leave the chassis battery in during storage why take out the coach batteries. Running the chassis engine and generator will keep the coach battery charged and they won't deteriorate anymore than the chassis battery will if you keep it in during storage.

wesslvm · 11-15-2013, 12:48 AM

On my unit I have started the generator with the battery disconnect in off, it cranks off the same battery as the vehicle. No power will go to the coach batt cables with the disconnect in off.

RvBill3 · 11-15-2013, 04:22 AM

I leave both batteries in place and start engine and generator about once a month. If you are going to start generator anyway (a good idea) why not just leave the battery in place? I load the generator while exercising by starting the heat pump. No sense sitting in the cold while I'm running the genny.

Pipeman · 11-15-2013, 07:50 AM

Why don't you fog the genny, drain the carb and you won't have to exercise it at all. I have been doing this since I got the genny. About 4 years now. Get the spray fog, remove the air filter, start the genny and then spray the fog into the air intake until the engine stalls out. Then drain the carb. I take the battery out along with the 2 house batteries and put them on smart chargers. The genny is a 4000 watt Onan which is called a juice box. It goes into the trailer hitch at the back of the 5er.
Here's a site for this one. Not the one I use but it's an example. AMSOIL Engine Fogging Oil

ATVer · 11-15-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wesslvm

On my unit I have started the generator with the battery disconnect in off, it cranks off the same battery as the vehicle. No power will go to the coach batt cables with the disconnect in off.

The battery disconnect is kind of a misnomer as it only disconnects some things from the coach battery. I checked the electrical drawings and verified on my coach and at least with a 3120, things like the slides, awning, and generator are not disconnected with the switch. Generator starting power does not come from the chassis battery unless the emergency battery tie together circuit is energized through the switch under the drivers seat.

bend302 · 11-15-2013, 09:04 AM

On my Georgetown, I can turn off the battery disconnect and any lights inside will go out. If I hook up to shore power, the inside lights will come back on including the light on the battery control switch.

So, it appears that, at least on my coach, the battery disconnect is bypassed when charging.

Bill

bgilly · 11-15-2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bend302

On my Georgetown, I can turn off the battery disconnect and any lights inside will go out. If I hook up to shore power, the inside lights will come back on including the light on the battery control switch.

So, it appears that, at least on my coach, the battery disconnect is bypassed when charging.

Bill

No, everything is being powered through the converter - without the coach battery. You can technically power all your 12 volt devices without coach batteries when on shore power.

RamblerGuy · 11-15-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATVer

The battery disconnect is kind of a misnomer as it only disconnects some things from the coach battery. I checked the electrical drawings and verified on my coach and at least with a 3120, things like the slides, awning, and generator are not disconnected with the switch. Generator starting power does not come from the chassis battery unless the emergency battery tie together circuit is energized through the switch under the drivers seat.

On our 2011 Sunseeker 3100 the emergency start battery tie (on the drivers seat) is not needed to start the generator. The times I had to start the generator with dead coach batteries I just started the engine, immediately walked to the convenience center, and started the generator. I then shut off the chassis engine and let the generator recharge the batteries.

DSurette · 11-15-2013, 08:13 PM

I guess they're all different. On our Coachmen 3150SS the genny will shut off if I disconnect the battery while it is running.

ATVer · 11-15-2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

On our 2011 Sunseeker 3100 the emergency start battery tie (on the drivers seat) is not needed to start the generator. The times I had to start the generator with dead coach batteries I just started the engine, immediately walked to the convenience center, and started the generator. I then shut off the chassis engine and let the generator recharge the batteries.

Agreed. The reason I mentioned the battery tie switch was to address a previous comment that the generator starter was powered from the chassis battery not the coach. The only way I know to start the generator from the chassis battery is with the battery tie circuit or of course through running the engine alternator.

You may also like: