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Topic: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries (Read 1285 times) previous topic - next topic

Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

I have heard that there is a problem starting a generator with lithium batteries.
Is there any truth to this?

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #1 –
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

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #2 –
I don't have any problems starting our generator with our Battle Born batteries.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #3 –
My generator fires right up off my battle borns




Keith

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #4 –
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. 

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #5 –
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.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #6 –
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.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #7 –
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

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #8 –
Mine starts fine on lithium, but couldn't you also use boost switch for starting if necessary?

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #9 –
Quote from: markb –
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. 

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.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #10 –
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.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #11 –
Your generator should start without the big engine running.  Start looking at your batteries.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Grey Wolff –
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.
Something needs looked at. Batteries, connections, leads, should fire right up with minimal power

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
... right now, my generator starts off the Chassis battery...

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
 

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Old Toolmaker –
my generator starts off the Chassis battery.

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.