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Topic: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries (Read 1177 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?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

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.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

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




Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

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. 
Freightliner MT55 w 24 ft box
All aluminum.

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.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

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.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

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?
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

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.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

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.
EMT living in Missouri. Recently purchased 1987 Gran Villa 36 Ft. long,460 Ford engine with 40,000 miles on it, new tranny has 3000 miles on it, coach has 75000 miles on it, new 5000 watt genny new fridge, new tires. Am both excited and scared out of my wits at the size of this beast. Love it but need time to become accustomed to it's size.  I'm sure it will take time to experience all the secrets this RV has to offer. Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Re: Starting Generator With Lithium House Batteries

Reply #11 –
Your generator should start without the big engine running.  Start looking at your batteries.
Alan Fink
Waupun, WI
2000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge  LX40
2018 F150 4x4
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited  Rubicon JL

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
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

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.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186