Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Genset Emergency start (Read 464 times) previous topic - next topic

Genset Emergency start


 I'mmmmmm Baaaaack!
Well, I never really left, left.  I was around lurking just a bit.
And, I'm not fully back, yet.  I have a few minor medical issues to clear up, nothing major nor will it be long.  Hope to be going back to Austin to get Alice soon.

  But here's my question.  When I (in great haste) put Alice in storage, I thought it would only be for a month.  Its now been over three months.  Thinking more of getting  home for my Moms funeral, when I parked her, I turned off everything I could think of, locked her up and scooted up to New York.
  Yes, I know that was not optimum, but I had other things on my mind.  Go ahead and get the flame throwers out.  I'm a big boy and I can take it.
  One issue I believe I'm going to have is starting her up again. 
  I was wondering if those portable power packs used to jump cars would have enough boost to start up my propane genset?  What if I could find a way to connect to the generator directly with out having to go through the house batterys?  Would that get more power to the starter, bypassing the house batterys?  The thought process is that I could have power to such things as lights, fridge and AC and to the inverter/charger so the chassis batterys get charged while I check her out before taking her on the road.
  I am aware that going this route may take some time.  I could call AAA (I'm a gold member) but I only have three calls/year and used one for the big tow back from Vermont when I lost the brakes.
  Any other suggestions?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #1 –
If you can get you vehicle close to your batteries, a set of long jumper cables would work. If you try a jump box make sure all other loads are off.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #2 –
Quote from: bbeane –
If you can get you vehicle close to your batteries, a set of long jumper cables would work. If you try a jump box make sure all other loads are off.
I was thinking of getting a second set and clamping them together
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #3 –
Connect everything and let the batteries charge a bit before you try to start the generator, should work fine.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #4 –
Yes, connecting directly at your generator will work.  The positive lug is accessible.  Ground to any metal part of the generator or frame.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #5 –
I have one of the Micro Start with the anti gravity battery's. It will start a completely dead Cat 3208 in a crane. It should have no problem with your generator. It is not as cheap as a wet cell jump start at Costco but I don't have to keep charging it.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #6 –
Quote from: craneman –
I have one of the Micro Start with the anti gravity battery's. It will start a completely dead Cat 3208 in a crane. It should have no problem with your generator. It is not as cheap as a wet cell jump start at Costco but I don't have to keep charging it.
Hello craneman, I am curious as I bought two WinPlus similar units at Costco (took first back thinking it was defective, second was the same) and when I would go to use, it would not work, needed recharge, followed instructions to see lights correct, etc.  I was just trying to jump start my my Toyota toad before my rv before I hooked up a charge wire.  Two different times I could not start it, waited till light was solid green etc.  Is your unit more than the 8000 rating than for the Costco unit?  I see so many good reviews, I am thinking of trying the following 12000 unit with light instead of 8000 unit, because carrying around the bigger wetstart (that always works) is a pain. 

Lithium Jump Starter Portable Power Bank with Brush Metal Finish 

Winplus Power Bank Jump Start 12000MAH 10W Spotlight

This is from WinPlus website, with UL sticker:  5-IN-1 Jump Starter
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Genset Emergency start

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Jack Lewis –
Hello craneman, I am curious as I bought two WinPlus similar units at Costco (took first back thinking it was defective, second was the same) and when I would go to use, it would not work, needed recharge, followed instructions to see lights correct, etc.  I was just trying to jump start my my Toyota toad before my rv before I hooked up a charge wire.  Two different times I could not start it, waited till light was solid green etc.  Is your unit more than the 8000 rating than for the Costco unit?  I see so many good reviews, I am thinking of trying the following 12000 unit with light instead of 8000 unit, because carrying around the bigger wetstart (that always works) is a pain. 

Lithium Jump Starter Portable Power Bank with Brush Metal Finish 

Winplus Power Bank Jump Start 12000MAH 10W Spotlight

This is from WinPlus website, with UL sticker:  5-IN-1 Jump Starter
The big wet cell with a sealed battery jump starters never last more than 18 months in my experience and that is charging them back up after every use. You would have to keep them on a maintainer to keep them alive. The Micro Start is nothing like the lithium battery packs Costco sells. Google Micro Start X-P 10 and read its capabilities. I only charge it after use and it sits in a cabinet in the coach. It is at 2 years old now and I used it to start a crane that had been sitting since 2002 in my brothers back yard.
It says something about an old 1985 Cat 3208 that still had the original fuel in it. Primed it with the pump and it started up with the Micro Start. Got a one day moving permit and moved it to my yard.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean