No generator

Topic: No generator (Read 6931 times) previous topic - next topic

No generator

November 30, 2020, 07:43:39 am

Day before yesterday, early morning, ran low on battery with hardly any draw on inverter. Generator was set to "ato" and came on, like it should.
This morning, no ac power. Auto generator DIDN'T come on. Pressed gen start.... NOTHING!
May not be related, but the heat doesn't seem to be blowing.
Both the generator and Aqua Hot have been recently serviced, and both were working fine.
We go into Mexico this morning, so this isn't a great way to start our big adventure.
Any ideas?
I haven't checked the generator yet....still dark outside....it's EARLY.

Re: No generator

Reply #1 – November 30, 2020, 08:01:22 am

Quote from: GleamB – November 30, 2020, 07:43:39 am

This morning, no ac power. Auto generator DIDN'T come on. Pressed gen start.... NOTHING!

No AC power means no inverter means house batteries are flat.

No generator auto start means whichever battery bank starts your generator is flat. I don't know on your coach which bank that is...

Did you try the boost switch to get the generator started?

Will the big engine start?

If both battery banks are flat, you'll need to get some charge into the chassis batteries. Jumper cables off your tow car?

After you get one of the engines started, you can worry about figuring out what is draining the batteries.

Re: No generator

Reply #2 – November 30, 2020, 08:04:47 am

MAJOR battery issues. You've probably permanently damaged both coach and chassis batteries. The coach wasn't plugged in to shore power, right?

Re: No generator

Reply #3 – November 30, 2020, 09:53:16 am

Awuahot won't run burner if voltage too low, yes it is related I suspect

Re: No generator

Reply #4 – November 30, 2020, 10:15:49 am

Missing an IMPORTANT ITEM
THe Magnum is set to start the generator at 12.2 v
It ALWAYS has for the 5 years I have owned the coach.
It DIDN'T last night.
I need to know WHY NOT.
thanks for the replies.

Re: No generator

Reply #5 – November 30, 2020, 10:21:12 am

Quote from: GleamB – November 30, 2020, 10:15:49 am

The Magnum is set to start the generator at 12.2 v

I assume the 12.2 volts is measured at the coach battery bank.

Does your generator start off the coach battery bank or the chassis battery bank?

If the battery bank that starts the generator is dead, then (obviously) the generator will not start.

Re: No generator

Reply #6 – November 30, 2020, 10:27:05 am

Try to start with boost switch on.

Start main engine and charge both banks until generator will start.

If both banks dead, jump with car for at least ten minutes with good sized jumper cables, no $10 cables as they will take a couple of hours.

Pierce

Re: No generator

Reply #7 – November 30, 2020, 12:01:13 pm

If having a large draw or battery in bad shape , battery may be too low already at 12.2 to get generator started

Other guess is generator has a problem

Re: No generator

Reply #8 – November 30, 2020, 12:31:48 pm

First get your batteries up and then start the generator, if it starts you know the generator wasn't the problem. Then lower your batteries to 12.2 and see if the magnum will start the generator. I haven't set up my Magnum to start my batteries so I don't know
how that works. I think I would suspect your batteries as you should be able to go all night on the batteries or maybe you have a bigger draw on the inverter.

Re: No generator

Reply #9 – November 30, 2020, 12:43:53 pm

As already pointed out your issue depends on how your coach is wired.

In most cases, the gen auto-start is tied to HOUSE battery bank voltage.

If your generator starts from the house bank, yes, when voltage hit 12.2 or whatever your gen start voltage you have programmed in there should have been enough battery capacity to start the generator (yes, ASSUMING the batteries are not shot).

If your generator starts off the chassis batteries and they are dead, your symptoms make sense.

I would start by checking voltage at both battery banks. Then compare those two readings with voltage at the generator. Should tell you instantly which battery bank starts the generator.

Re: No generator

Reply #10 – November 30, 2020, 01:09:35 pm

Or, Glenn could just look at his wiring diagram, which would clearly indicate which battery bank starts the generator.

At least my wiring diagram does...

Re: No generator

Reply #11 – November 30, 2020, 05:49:06 pm

OK
Finally stopped halfway to Mazatlan.
The coach fired up fine.
I installed a Victron monitor, this summer, on my 7 year old Lifelines. We have been on the road for over six hours. My Victron says 93%soc and12.86 voltage.
I opened the generator door and heard a muffled "ticking" sound. I hit the button and noise stopped. I went inside and hit the gen button. Same ticking sound.
The gen was just serviced by Mr. Keith at MOT three weeks ago.
I'm all ears. At a truck stop for the night without a generator. My have to run the engine all night??

Re: No generator

Reply #12 – November 30, 2020, 06:09:39 pm

Call MOT tech support

Re: No generator

Reply #13 – November 30, 2020, 06:15:26 pm

The ticking sound may be your fuel pump. The little silver box in the front with fuel hoses in and out.

Re: No generator

Reply #14 – November 30, 2020, 06:25:55 pm

I would NOT run the Cummings all night.

Re: No generator

Reply #15 – November 30, 2020, 10:46:03 pm

Why not run it if necessary? It's not going to hurt it.

Re: No generator

Reply #16 – December 01, 2020, 12:34:45 am

It's against the recommendation of all diesel manufactures to idle your diesel for extended periods, may also be against state or local laws, may leak exhaust into the bedroom with 256 compounds, some carcinogenic.

Indeed, the ticking sound has a very good chance of being your fuel pump. You should be able to listen and find it.

You need help in the morning. Pull the battery cables off if necessary to stop the discharge.

Pierce

Re: No generator

Reply #17 – December 01, 2020, 12:38:25 am

I go all night without a generator in the winter. I dry camp all winter skiing and run my generator about 3 to 4 hours in the
evening and 1 hour in the morning. I always shut off the inverter in the winter as it uses battery and so do the 2 transfer switches.
If you think you need to run the M11 all night don't leave it at idle, rev it up to at least 1000 RPM. The clicking is the fuel pump
working. Somewhere there should be a timer and probably a relay to turn the engine over.

Re: No generator

Reply #18 – December 01, 2020, 07:11:50 am

Twice mentioned the fuel pump.
IF I locate it, then what?
Why didn't the generator kick on like it always has done when on auto.
This thread isn't about idling the engine.
It is about a generator

Re: No generator

Reply #19 – December 01, 2020, 07:23:45 am

Glenn,

Sounds like you have the rely that controls the start function on the ES52 module stuck/failed. There are 2 relays one is for the generator start the other is to run the fuel pump. With your description the fuel pump relay must be working. If you pull the 2 relays and swap them out the generator may try to start but won't run due to the bad relay is on the fuel pump. With the fuel pump running this leads me to think you are getting a start signal from the BCM 12 Auto Generator Start Module (or what ever one you have)

I recently posted a pic. of the ES 52 module and will get you a link as to what you are looking for. The ES 52 should be hid in the control box at the generator. Some are still mounted on the box on top of the generator itself some have been moved to a separate box by the remote fan. Depending on which generator you have and which quiet box will depend on where the ES 52 is hid. Here is what you are looking for. Generator intermitten self shut down

Mike

Re: No generator

Reply #20 – December 01, 2020, 08:19:12 am

Mike,
Thanks. But I am confused. What am I trying to do? Get new relays?
Need more instruction of how to proceed when we get to our RV Park later, today.

Re: No generator

Reply #21 – December 01, 2020, 08:37:53 am

First thing I would do right after you stop is check with a volt meter all your batterys and make sure they are fully charged,before you shut the engine off make sure the alternator is charging all batteries,then troubleshoot the rest.

Re: No generator

Reply #22 – December 01, 2020, 09:01:06 am

And, sometimes you can affect a temporary "repair" of a relay by a light, sharp rap on it. Certainly not a cure if the coil is bad, but if points are stuck it may temporarily free them up.

And, absolutely if near an auto parts house by 2 spare relays-- they are not expensive.

Re: No generator

Reply #23 – December 01, 2020, 10:04:13 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 01, 2020, 07:23:45 am

Sounds like you have the rely that controls the start function on the ES52 module stuck/failed. There are 2 relays one is for the generator start the other is to run the fuel pump. With your description the fuel pump relay must be working. If you pull the 2 relays and swap them out the generator may try to start but won't run due to the bad relay is on the fuel pump.

Mike

Arrived yesterday
Lot of (5) NEW Song Chuan 871-1C-C-R1 Mini Relay SPDT 5-prong 12V 20/35A...
Five relays for $22 Two for the spare parts kit in coach Three for the shelve at home.
Thank you Mike for the insight to stock up on needed spares. Since I have them may never need. 👍👍
Scott

Re: No generator

Reply #24 – December 01, 2020, 12:14:48 pm

Quote from: GleamB – December 01, 2020, 08:19:12 am

But I am confused. What am I trying to do? Get new relays?

All you are trying to do is troubleshoot to see if one of those relays is bad. If you can determine that one is faulty then you will need a replacement. Can you post a pic. of your generator?

Mike

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