Do house or chassis batteries start the generator?

Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule but my generator starts off the house batteries. When the fuel level is below 1/4 the generator will not run, it may start but will not run, it's a safety feature. The battery switch works in one direction, the house batteries help the chassis batteries if necessary, it doesn't work the other way around.

Both, my main control panel in the hall of my Winnebago runs my genset via coach batteries. I have a separate switch on the drivers dashboard that runs the genset via chassis battery. Also, I have a switch on my dashboard that starts my RV by coach batteries and of course the ignition switch starts the RV from the chassis battery. Good Question!

frankiebIII wrote:
Does the generator start off the same battery as the engine or does it use the house batteries?

As written, the answer is yes.

Now for a more useful answer.

I see the first reply mentioned on HIS motor home it was the engine/chassis battery.

On mine it's the house battery.

And what is more a very few rigs have a 3rd (Generator) battery that does the job.

It is all up to the folks who built the beast.


How to figure it out.

Disconnect the NEGATIVE lead from the house battery.

Try to start the generator.

If it starts.. NOT that battery.. IF nothing, re-connect and try again, Varoom on the 2nd try = House battery. (Well the cranking anyway)

On my generator, if the fuel is too low in the main vehicle fuel tank, the generator will not turn over. Don't know if that is the norm or not for other coaches.

frankiebIII wrote:
Thanks for all the info. Question....
If the fuel has been drained from the generator on the last use and I try to start it would the generator try to turn over at all or no? I have read through the manual and realized that in problem solving I tried yesterday I did not try to prime the fuel line. The genset engine never tried to turn over.

The Gen set will crank (turn over) regardless of NO fuel or not having been primed. Doug

Thanks for all the info. Question....
If the fuel has been drained from the generator on the last use and I try to start it would the generator try to turn over at all or no? I have read through the manual and realized that in problem solving I tried yesterday I did not try to prime the fuel line. The genset engine never tried to turn over.

On my coach the generator is hooked to the house batteries although all I have to do if the house batteries are too low is use the "battery boost" switch on the dash to start the generator with the chassis batteries.

On our '95 Coachmen, the house batteries start the generator. If the engine battery is too low to start the engine, we can still start the generator to charge it. If the house batteries are too low to start the generator, starting the engine will charge them. If all the batteries are down, we're screwed... :B

On my MH the coach batteries start the generator. JM2¢...

It varies from OEM to OEM. There is no set rule. Doug