Generator Question

[DnTmor]

Hi all,

I have a 2019 Jayco Greyhawk 26y and was curious about the generator. It won't start without the RV started. It clicks as if it has no juice without RV started. RV started, the generator starts right up. I have a battery tender on the main battery, and it is charged. The RV starts no problem.

Does the generator get it's power from the house battery? Or does the RV need to be started before starting the generator? And, if it's the house battery, are you able to trickle charge them? I put my trickle charger on it but it errors out.

After running the generator for 15-20 mins and then turning it off and back on, it will start on it's own.

Thanks all!

[Stavman]

Starts from House battery

If you are running the house battery dead, and leaving it, it's probably toast.
Charge it an unplug it if u can't battery tender it

[DnTmor]

Thanks Stavman!

Is the house battery a regular deep cell battery or like a car battery? When I tried my trickle charger on it, it said it couldn't do it (maybe because it was too dead?). But the trickle charger did work on the main battery.

[SmokeyBear]

The generator starts from the house battery. I needed to run my generator today for its monthly exercise, the chassis battery was disconnected, so I decided to try it. Viola! House battery.

"I put my trickle charger on it but it errors out."

Could you be more specific? There are different types of errors, depending. Tell us what your error is. Is it that the battery is dead and won't take a charge? If yes, you are SOL and you need a new house battery.

[DnTmor]

Thanks! I can try to put trickle charger on tomorrow. I can't remember what it read out, it has a digital read out. When I put it on. It said something like couldn't do it.

[Stavman]

House battery is a deep cycle, not same as your truck battery

[watchout]

It may be a dual purpose (starting/cycling) battery. In my 2018 Greyhawk, this was the stock house battery:
https://www.harrisbattery.com/product/27d170/

Sounds like it won't hold a good charge. If it has been previously completely discharged, that can do it.

[CAG]

Does the generator get it's power from the house battery?

Yes. I would say your house battery is DOA.

[DnTmor]

Thanks all! I'll be looking at a replacement soon. Happy holidays!

[mjdcwo]

The Generator starts from the house battery. Even when ours was new, the house battery didn't have much reserve. I added an additional 12v battery wired in parallel as there is sufficient space in the battery carrier area. The required cables came with the camper and were in one of the manual bags from Jayco. I also added a digital voltmeter to monitor the batteries. It fit in the overhead cabinet next to the monitor panel. Here is a link to the voltmeter which also has a USB outlet.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Johnynorthland]

I think it’s good practice to start the engine battery first, before starting my generator. Although not necessary, your alternator will let juice flow through the BIM and help crank the generator, not zapping the house battery.