I have heard that there is a problem starting a generator with lithium batteries.
Is there any truth to this?
I really doubt it. Takes little power to start generator. I drove around for six months with a failing optima battery and it would fire it up no problem.
Scott
I don't have any problems starting our generator with our Battle Born batteries.
My generator fires right up off my battle borns
Keith
I've run across recommendations not to use lithium batteries for starting because of the high current draw. Google will be your friend or foe.
What I have read says not to use Lithium batteries as the primary engine starting batteries. An occasional boost use as a secondary source should be OK. With a substantial lithium house bank, the load shared across all of the batteries when starting the generator should be low enough to be not a problem. Your inverter loads are likely as much and longer in duration.
In theory, House batteries should be deep discharge batteries of relatively low current delivery when compared to the starting lighting and ignition battery used for the Chassis. That being said, right now, my generator starts off the Chassis battery. The next time I leave the headlights on all night, the Generator gets it's own battery.
So in powertech 10k manual they recommend a battery of 420 cranking amps CCA 520 amp battery and and at 72 degrees you can use a #8 starter cable up to ten feet long
Mine starts fine on lithium, but couldn't you also use boost switch for starting if necessary?
Google can be your friend when used properly and your enemy when used improperly.
I'm confident that the starting current required for our generator is not large enough to be an issue for our Battle Born battery bank.
After reading all of this I have to ask. My generator only starts after I start the engine, it will not start on its own without starting the engine. Is it designed this way or is it bad batteries? I plan on purchasing three new house batteries and one new engine battery soon. Thanks.
Your generator should start without the big engine running. Start looking at your batteries.
Something needs looked at. Batteries, connections, leads, should fire right up with minimal power
I had to check, my generator in a 2001 coach, starts off the house batteries. The grandvillas may be wired up differently due to different placement of batteries and the generator. Changing which batteries start your genera might be something to consider
Our previous coach was wired so that the generator started from the chassis battery. Since the chassis battery typically is nearly fully charged and has very few loads it makes sense to have the chassis battery available for starting the generator in case the house batteries become nearly completely discharged. Different arrangements have different advantages and disadvantages.