|
02-25-2014, 05:48 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
|
Generator/Battery Issue
I have a 2007 Octane ZX and am having some electrical/charging issues. During my last camping wknd (dry) my generator (Onan 4000) started stumbling and would barely run. I noticed it was not charging the battery, this has never been a problem before. If the camper is plugged in to shore pwr then I have about 13.2v at the battery, which should mean the converter is working properly and charging the battery? If I am using the generator the volts on the batt start at 12.8 and continually drop as it runs (it does seem to swap over to generator pwr as the lights do get brighter). I have been told the generator running poorly could be caused by a bad battery, as it runs the fuel pump, but my volts are at 12.8 when I begin running it. Any ideas? Thanks!
|
|
|
02-26-2014, 06:55 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 6,818
|
Have you dropped the battery "out of the loop" when testing voltages?
The way I understand it, whether you're using your generator or shore power....the charging volts come through the converter.
|
|
|
02-26-2014, 09:43 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
|
Have you checked the drive belt on the generator? My camping buddy next door just had to have her's replaced for the same reason.
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
|
|
|
02-26-2014, 05:23 PM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
|
I will try that, that's what I understand also; that the charging volts come through the converter. Makes no sense to me!
|
|
|
02-26-2014, 05:26 PM
|
#5
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
Have you checked the drive belt on the generator? My camping buddy next door just had to have her's replaced for the same reason.
|
I will for sure check that , how did she know it was bad, just worn ? Thanks!
|
|
|
02-27-2014, 09:40 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
|
It has happened before for her... so now rather than take it into the shop she had our resident grease monkey do it for a little less
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
|
|
|
02-27-2014, 10:29 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 2,210
|
Pardon my ignorance on this, but is the house battery(s) starting the genny or is it from an isolated battery? If the starting battery is isolated I would also throw in to check your terminal connections on both the genny and starting battery.
You mentioned running rough which could be a fuel issue too. Do you use stabilizer? If not I would highly recommend you do as today's fuel breaks down and gums up very fast with the additive of ethanol. I use the Yamaha brand stabilizer in my portable unit religiously.
__________________
2014 375 BHFS Eagle Premier
2014 Ram 3500 Longhorn DRW CC
6.7 CTD, Aisin, 4.10's
Yamaha EF3000iSEB
|
|
|
02-27-2014, 05:40 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 4
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3'senough
Pardon my ignorance on this, but is the house battery(s) starting the genny or is it from an isolated battery? If the starting battery is isolated I would also throw in to check your terminal connections on both the genny and starting battery.
You mentioned running rough which could be a fuel issue too. Do you use stabilizer? If not I would highly recommend you do as today's fuel breaks down and gums up very fast with the additive of ethanol. I use the Yamaha brand stabilizer in my portable unit religiously.
|
I am using the RV batt for start, I will be checking all above tomorrow (raining). I am hoping it is just a fuel issue, yes I use stabilizer but I have no idea if the previous owner did, I've learned my lesson well with this ethanol gas. I am also going to clean the carb and change fuel filter, hopefully one of these will fix my problem. Thanks!
|
|
|
02-27-2014, 06:32 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aurora CO
Posts: 2,334
|
I would also check the output voltage of the generator
Shore power somewhere between 110 - 120 vac.
What's the output on the generator? ( disconnect from shore power, measure AC voltage at the input terminals on your converter/ power distribution center with digital volt meter. Please exercise caution )
__________________
Jim & Kim from Colorado
2014 Eagle 30.5 RLS
2015 Dodge 3500HD SRW 6.7L
Click on my profile for Mods and notes
|
|
|
02-28-2014, 09:33 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: North Central Louisiana
Posts: 120
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chad2775
I am using the RV batt for start, I will be checking all above tomorrow (raining). I am hoping it is just a fuel issue, yes I use stabilizer but I have no idea if the previous owner did, I've learned my lesson well with this ethanol gas. I am also going to clean the carb and change fuel filter, hopefully one of these will fix my problem. Thanks!
|
The Honda service people warned me about using stabilizer in an older unit that had never had stabilizer in the fuel. They claimed that it would flush the gunk out of the fuel tank and plug the filter and carb. Sound familiar?
__________________
Mike Laupp
'13 Jayco Premier 351RLTS
'17 F350 King Ranch Ultimate FX4 6.7L TD SRW LB BackFlip F1
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|